Contents of the article:
video Despite the fact that January is the middle of winter, summer dogs have not found a
.Especially those who care about chickens, rabbits, piglets, goats and nutria. Before them I want to take off my hat, because the chores in the economic yard are the most responsible.
In a well-known book, it is written that a righteous person cares about the lives of his cattle. And indeed this hard work deserves sincere praise. What works are required to be carried out on the service yard, when on January street? Let's try to figure it out.
Chickens are a bird worthy of attention.
Poultry are often the first to appear on the supply yard. They are not only a source of tasty meat, but also supply summer residents with eggs. Therefore, in winter, they require special attention.
In the northern latitudes of Russia, where frosts pop outside the window for several months in a row, birds need warm rooms. In January, caring owners of chickens make additional warming to their favorites. In places where winters are much milder, it is necessary to change the flooring more often and fill up the cracks arising from the weather conditions. This will help maintain the optimum temperature for wintering chickens in the barn. As a result, they will not get sick and will thank the owners with fresh eggs.
In winter, chickens need not only warmth, but also a balanced diet consisting of such feeds:
- Vitamins .They are obtained from germinated grain. For this, it is sown in boxes, and when green shoots appear, they are cut and given to birds.
- Calcium .Wise gardeners do not throw eggshells into the garbage, they crush and give to chickens.
- Boiled potatoes .It is considered a source of protein, is well absorbed and therefore very useful during the winter cold.
Such a useful feed in January will prepare birds for spring broods of chickens, which means that the hens on the farm will not run over.
Rabbits - not only valuable fur
With the arrival of January, rabbit owners realize that winter is not over and there are many cold days ahead. Especially if animals are kept outside. First of all, you need to take care of cell insulation. To do this, use various improvised items, including such:
- straw;
- felted fabric;
- foam sheets;
- polycarbonate.
In order for the rabbits to be warm, the mesh floor in the cage is covered with dry straw. You can also put in thick wooden pallets. All slots must be closed to protect the rabbits from the cold winter winds. To do this, use polycarbonate, foam or plywood.
In regions where there are severe frosts, the rabbitks are covered with old cotton blankets.
Despite the cold in January, it’s time to think about posterity. To make rabbits strong and healthy, you need to carefully examine your pets before mating. Rabbits, who previously refused to feed the young or even ate them, are not suitable for the new generation. 
The best option is healthy, well-fed, but not fat individuals that have reached puberty. Usually they should be more than 3.5 months. To get good offspring, it is better to have mature animals: the male is 4 or 5 months, the female is about 8.
Do not use for mating animals that have any discomfort. Any irritation, rash or lethargic behavior indicates an internal disease.
When the choice and the deed is done, the pregnant rabbit is placed in separate uterine cells. They are also warmed with foam, straw and blankets. If there are severe frosts on the street for a long time, it is advisable to transfer the mother liquor to a dry room.
In whatever region rabbits are kept, they all need good nutrition. If the owners thought about it in the summer, then the rabbits will see on their “table” such feed:
- juicy carrot;
- fodder beet;
- Jerusalem artichoke;
- hay;
- tree branches;
- feed.
Pregnant individuals in January are supposed to be given daily vitamins. For this purpose, created special feed, with a full set of nutrients.
Predatory nutria in the winter time
Cute animals that came to us from South America - nutria have long become household favorites. They wonderfully take root in an area where frost and a lot of snow crack in winter. And also in warmer latitudes of the planet.
If we live in the northern strip of Russia, in January, nutria must have been living in a warm room for a long time. For this, gardeners warm the barn in advance at the service yard to place animals there in the winter. In addition, in each house put a dense flooring of dried grass or straw. It protects the tail and the tender feet of animals from frost.
It has been observed that nutria, which are contained in the home, can do without bathing. Therefore, in places where winters are cold, it is not necessary to put a tub of water for them.
In regions with a milder winter, the cells can only be warmed if there is no suitable shed. Moreover, when the temperature is above zero, it is possible to arrange a holiday for nutria bathing in a wide tub with water. Although “thank you” they will not say, but the owners will be pleased to watch the happy animals. 
In order to successfully breed nutria, in January it is necessary to select animals suitable for mating. Defining a male, you should pay attention to his parents. In general, they should be impeccable: excellent appearance shine fur, painless body, a mobile way of life. 
If males are selected, they are separated in a free cage and a calm female is brought to them. Those individuals who actively "flirt" with nutria, are ready to produce high-quality offspring. On average, the age of the breeding males is at least 7 months.
When choosing a male, it is advisable to observe his life activity. If he is inactive, the females will kill him, aggressive - can hurt the skin of the nutria of the female article. Therefore, the choice falls on the best animals.
When selecting a female, you should pay attention to her health. The coypu should have a beautiful coat, eat well and be without visible damage. According to her behavior determine the degree of desire to mate. 
Usually, during this period, the female actively runs around the cage, paddles with her front paws, eats poorly and often urinates. Her genitals swell and become scarlet. In addition, when meeting a male, the nutria sniffs it and walks behind it around the house. Such signs indicate the readiness of the female to mate.
It is important in January to try to feed the nutria with high-quality food. Their diet includes various root vegetables, corn, pumpkin, grain. They do not refuse from hay, barley straw or sunflower. Love to feast on Jerusalem artichokes. Although during the winter cold the nutria feed less actively than in the summer, one should not deprive them of the pleasure of eating their favorite “dishes”.
Of course, not only chickens, rabbits, and nutria live on the farm yard. Many rural toilers grow more piglets, goats and cows. They try to put maximum effort to make animals feel comfortable all year round. And January is a wonderful beginning for coordinated work on the service yard.
