Cultivation of nutria as a business: how to open your own farm, is it profitable or not

Cultivation of nutria is becoming more and more popular. These rodents provide delicious dietary meat and valuable fur. If you are engaged in breeding nutria as a business, it is recommended to take into account many features. In order for the animals to grow and develop normally, they need high-quality care and good nutrition. Treatment and prevention of diseases are of no small importance.

Advantages and disadvantages of business

Nutria are considered waterfowl rodents that look like rats in appearance. Their meat is distinguished by dietary properties. In addition, the animals are bred for beautiful and warm fur.

Pros and conssimplicity of content;lack of requirements for large premises;minimum feed costs;strong immunity;rapid weight gain;good breeding in captivity;the possibility of selling meat and fur;excellent taste and dietary properties of meat.the need for a reservoir with clean water;lesser popularity of meat compared to other types;intolerance to animals of low temperatures.

Buying an animal

For starters, it is recommended to buy young animals. Their age should be no more than 2-3 months. The weight of such animals, on average, is 1.3-2.3 kilograms. It is recommended to buy animals in special nurseries.

In case of purchase from private breeders, it is worth visiting the farm and familiarizing yourself with the conditions for keeping animals. Buying nutria on the market is not worth it, as there is a risk of acquiring low-quality animals.

Before buying animals, you should study their varieties. There are several types of nutria:

1. Standard - reminiscent of wild animals in color. Their fur has a brown or steel tint. Animals are highly fertile. There are up to 6 puppies in 1 litter.
2. Golden - this breed was brought from abroad. The weight and size of the animals match the standard. At the same time, 1 female brings up to 4 puppies.
3. Blacks are an Argentinean breed. The parameters of her fertility coincide with the standard. Purebred animals are distinguished by a deep black color and dark gray fluff.
4. White Azeri - have pure white hairs. Usually nutrias give a maximum of 4 puppies.
5. White Italian - available in white or cream. A litter usually has a maximum of 5 puppies.

Selection of site and premises

Animal breeding facility must meet the following criteria:

• brick or wood building;
• the presence of full ventilation;
• dry air;
• cleanliness.

Cages are recommended to be installed in the house. They should be located 70 centimeters from the floor. It is recommended to prepare the room in advance. In this case, the floor should be covered with bedding, and the wooden walls should be sheathed with a metal mesh. Of no small importance is the control of temperature parameters. In summer, animals are advised to provide access to a pond or put a container of water. This helps to prevent heat stroke in animals.

Features of care

When breeding nutria, it is important to provide them with suitable conditions:

1. Rodents should not be exposed to drafts or direct sunlight.
2. It is recommended to zone the room with aviaries. Separately place a place to stay, a walking area, feeders.
3. Animals need space to actively develop and gain weight. 200 cells are placed on 0.5 hectares. It is permissible to place 350 animals in them.
4. Aviaries can be separated from each other with wooden partitions. From above they should be sheathed with metal.
5. Place metal filings at the bottom of the cells.
6. It is recommended to strengthen feeders. They are fixed on the wall or floor.
7. Aviary area must be at least 2.5 square meters.
8. The walking area should be separated by a fence, and the floor should be concreted.
9. Place a swimming pool on the farm. This will help the nutria keep their fur clean.
10. Monitor temperature parameters. The optimal values are +20 degrees. Temperature drops of 2-3 degrees can lead to hypothermia.

Diet

Nutria can eat any kind of herbal plants. It is advisable to give them crops that grow near water bodies. For this, reeds, wood lice, reeds, horse sorrel are suitable. If there are no water bodies nearby, it is permissible to use vegetables for feeding. It is best to use root vegetables - beets, carrots, potatoes.

Adults, on average, eat up to 1 kilogram of food per day. To speed up their growth and save money, you can introduce cereals and mixed fodder into the diet.

Farm staff

At the initial stage, it is best to manage on your own and involve loved ones in caring for animals.A small farm can be handled by 2 people. As volumes increase, employees will have to be hired, including a veterinarian. Also, during the slaughter period, it will be necessary to involve a skinning specialist, which will increase the payback parameters.

Animal breeding

Females aged 5 months are suitable for mating. Males must be 1 month older. After mating, animals are recommended to be separated. After the appearance of the cubs, the female is kept with them for some time. Nutria give offspring every 2 months. There can be up to 15 cubs in a litter.

Fight disease

Nutria are distinguished by strong immunity. However, sometimes they encounter infections - salmonellosis, streptococcosis, colibacillosis. To avoid this, it is important to monitor the quality of water and feed. Regular cleaning is essential.

Advertising and marketing

Meat of nutria is considered a specific commodity. For the sale of products, it is recommended to conclude agreements with retail outlets, supermarkets, catering establishments. It is better to sell fur without intermediaries. It can be sold to tailors or businesses that make outerwear.

Calculation of profitability

Profitability depends on several factors:

• number of livestock;
• price of fur and meat in the region;
• availability of outlets.

To launch a project, on average, it takes 200 thousand rubles. With the right approach, breeding nutria is quite profitable. Already after six months of work, it is possible to receive from 300 thousand rubles. Breeding nutria has a number of features. For this business to be successful, it is important to provide animals with quality care and balanced nutrition.

Recommended