Helping animals survive the summer heat
By Li Huacheng and Hu Xiaocen |
August 28, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHILE people seek air conditioning and cold treats like ice cream in the summer, animals at aquafarms and pig farms spend the hottest period of the year in a "swimming pool" or under a "sunshade blanket." The high temperature has not caused much impact on the breeding industry in Jiading District.
Fish farms
"Changing water frequently in summer to avoid scalding fish tails. Patrol the pool in the early morning and ensure the fishes are not starving for oxygen," says Lu Yongren, a fish farmer of eight years.
Fry grow very fast in summer. Farming in the three months determines if the fish can be sold for a good profit. So Lu starts his patrol over the pool everyday before sunrise. He places a black non-woven cover over the pond to block direct sunlight and pumps oxygen into the water if the fish head floats above the surface.
Lu has been very concerned recently as the temperature has continued to climb. "A high water temperature may burn the tails of fish. We can't sell the fish if it has a damaged tail."
Lu also pours salt into the pond to prevent infectious diseases.
Sunshade for turtles
Hu Chunhui, technician at the aquaculture station in Jiading, is looking for water hyacinth to make "sunshade blankets" for the pool of American snapping turtles.
If the water temperature jumps over 30 degrees, water quality deteriorates easily. "Turtles will enter aestivation, a dormant period in which they will stop eating and even may die," Hu said.
Station technicians are busy providing tips about how to set up sunshades and changing water. They stop farmers from putting ice cubes in the pool to cool the temperature, as large and rapid temperature variations may make turtles sick. Once sick, they are hard to recover.
To provide a better living environment for the turtles, experts suggest raising the water level of the pool and planting some aquatic plants like water hyacinth in the pool to provide sunshade for the creatures.
Resort for piglets
Seventy-five sweaty piglets at Lijiang Orchard in Jiading Industrial Zone have recently moved into their "summer resort." Liu, a farmer, said the resort was converted from a poplar grove of about one hectare. The temperature inside the resort is three to five degrees Celsius lower than outside. Two big pools have been dug and filled with water so the piglets have two swimming pools to cool off.
Walking into the pigpen, there's no unpleasant smell of pig manure. That is because the stocking density is reduced and a "mattress" is placed. The "mattress" made of mixed wood dust and eco-fermentative bacteria covers the floor, beneath which pig manure is fermented. Manure will become organic fertilizer in four years.
There are 400 pig farmers in Jiading. Experts suggest farmers reduce stocking density, improve ventilation in pigpens, or install a water-dripping facility at the entry of a pigsty to lower the temperature. Feeding peel of watermelon, juicy vegetables and fruits are also important for the pigs during the hot summer.
Fish farms
"Changing water frequently in summer to avoid scalding fish tails. Patrol the pool in the early morning and ensure the fishes are not starving for oxygen," says Lu Yongren, a fish farmer of eight years.
Fry grow very fast in summer. Farming in the three months determines if the fish can be sold for a good profit. So Lu starts his patrol over the pool everyday before sunrise. He places a black non-woven cover over the pond to block direct sunlight and pumps oxygen into the water if the fish head floats above the surface.
Lu has been very concerned recently as the temperature has continued to climb. "A high water temperature may burn the tails of fish. We can't sell the fish if it has a damaged tail."
Lu also pours salt into the pond to prevent infectious diseases.
Sunshade for turtles
Hu Chunhui, technician at the aquaculture station in Jiading, is looking for water hyacinth to make "sunshade blankets" for the pool of American snapping turtles.
If the water temperature jumps over 30 degrees, water quality deteriorates easily. "Turtles will enter aestivation, a dormant period in which they will stop eating and even may die," Hu said.
Station technicians are busy providing tips about how to set up sunshades and changing water. They stop farmers from putting ice cubes in the pool to cool the temperature, as large and rapid temperature variations may make turtles sick. Once sick, they are hard to recover.
To provide a better living environment for the turtles, experts suggest raising the water level of the pool and planting some aquatic plants like water hyacinth in the pool to provide sunshade for the creatures.
Resort for piglets
Seventy-five sweaty piglets at Lijiang Orchard in Jiading Industrial Zone have recently moved into their "summer resort." Liu, a farmer, said the resort was converted from a poplar grove of about one hectare. The temperature inside the resort is three to five degrees Celsius lower than outside. Two big pools have been dug and filled with water so the piglets have two swimming pools to cool off.
Walking into the pigpen, there's no unpleasant smell of pig manure. That is because the stocking density is reduced and a "mattress" is placed. The "mattress" made of mixed wood dust and eco-fermentative bacteria covers the floor, beneath which pig manure is fermented. Manure will become organic fertilizer in four years.
There are 400 pig farmers in Jiading. Experts suggest farmers reduce stocking density, improve ventilation in pigpens, or install a water-dripping facility at the entry of a pigsty to lower the temperature. Feeding peel of watermelon, juicy vegetables and fruits are also important for the pigs during the hot summer.
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