How to breed leeches

Leeches, commonly known as leeches , are a relatively unpopular breeding industry, and not many people are exposed to or know about them. Leeches are used as medicine, and the profits generated are quite considerable. Now wild resources are scarce, the market is in short supply, there is no worry about selling goods, and prices are rising rapidly. Let’s talk about how to breed leeches.

1. Extensive breeding in the wild

Generally, swamps and rice fields are mainly chosen for breeding. This method has a large breeding area, sufficient sunlight, abundant natural bait in the fields, and less investment. However, the area and yield are limited, and the land is difficult to manage, so careful feeding and management are required.

(1) Swamp aquaculture:

① The water level in the swamp is shallow, and the aquatic plants growing in the swamp are lush. The bottom layer contains more organic matter and humus, which provides more food for leeches.

② Build a fence around the swamp and release the leeches. After release, they need to be observed regularly and fed appropriately. When the leech density is too high, they must be caught in time.

(2) Rice field farming

① The water level in the rice field is shallow, the water temperature is relatively suitable, and there is sufficient sunlight during the day. When it is hot, the rice ears can also provide shade. The field is rich in oxygen and fertile, which is very suitable for the growth of leeches.

② Select a plot of land with high fertility, enclose it with a fence, and dig one or several ponds in the center of the field depending on the size of the selected plot. Generally, a pond of 1 square meter is dug in a plot of 100 square meters.

③ A connecting ditch 30 cm deep and wide needs to be dug between the dug ponds. When applying fertilizer and pesticides to rice, leeches can be driven into the ditch to avoid pesticide damage.

2. Intensive breeding

The breeding method uses artificial ponds and feeds bait, generally including fish pond breeding and indoor breeding. This type of breeding method has a high stocking density and high capital investment, but has better emergency benefits.

(1) Site selection: The breeding pond should be located in a place with unpolluted water source, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, and with a good environment. The water quality in the breeding pond is relatively fertile, and the soil at the bottom of the pond can be sandy soil or gravel soil. If the water quality is not fertile and the nutrients are not rich, humus soil is needed at the bottom of the pond.

(2) Seedlings: Select healthy and active seedlings, and disinfect them before placing them in the breeding pond.

(3) Breeding management: Aquatic plants such as duckweed and reeds can be planted in the pond, or the fertility of the water body can be increased to increase the growth of plankton in the water body. Artificial breeding requires regular feeding of leeches to ensure water quality.

(4) Feeding: The staple food of leeches is mainly snails, clams, frogs, turtles , earthworms and the blood of mammals. When breeding artificially, various blood can be mixed with feed, grass meal, or feces. About 25 kilograms of live snails can be released at one time per acre, so that leeches can feed freely. Animal blood is generally fed once a week.

That’s it