The hatchling is the stage of a turtle that hatches from an egg and survives through its first winter. These young turtles are physically delicate, with limited adaptability to their environment, slow growth rates, and high mortality. Proper care during this critical phase directly affects future breeding success and economic returns in turtle farming. Therefore, mastering key techniques at this stage is essential for promoting faster growth and improving survival rates.
First, handling hatchlings carefully is crucial. Before placing them into the breeding pond, it's important to enhance their resistance and adaptability. One effective method is to leave newly hatched turtles in a moist sand environment for 1–2 days. This allows the umbilical cord to dry and close, and the body to straighten before moving them into indoor containers. During this time, they don’t need food because they still have yolk sacs to absorb. Studies show that this practice improves their immunity and overall resilience.
Another important step is a medicinal bath. Before entering the nursery, hatchlings can be soaked in a 15-PPM nitrofurazone solution for 15–20 minutes, followed by a 40-PPM potassium permanganate and 2–3% saline solution for 10–15 minutes. This helps disinfect, reduce disease risk, and promote healthy growth without damaging their sensitive skin.
Creating a suitable ecological environment is also vital. Juvenile turtles require a well-designed habitat. A rectangular concrete pool is ideal, with indoor areas around 5–10 square meters and outdoor pools about 40–50 cm deep. The pool should have a 2% slope from inlet to outlet, with feeding stations placed 2 cm below water level. Resting and drying areas should have a 30-degree slope on the side walls, extending about 20 cm into the water. The bottom should be covered with fine sand (10–20 cm) that allows good ventilation and protects the turtles’ skin when they burrow.
Water quality and temperature must be carefully managed. Use clean, unpolluted water from rivers or lakes, maintaining a yellow-green color with 30–40 cm transparency. Remove uneaten food daily and change the water every 3–5 days. Keep the temperature between 25–30°C, using shade structures in summer and heating methods like hot water pipes or light bulbs in winter.
The surrounding environment should be quiet, sunny, and free from pollution and noise. This supports the turtles’ natural behaviors and reduces stress. Stocking density should be kept at 40–50 per square meter to avoid overcrowding and ensure proper growth.
Nutrition is another key factor. Hatchlings need soft, fresh, and easily digestible food such as chopped fish, shrimp, snails, or animal organs. Vegetables and grains can be added, or commercial turtle feed mixed with vegetable juice to form a dough-like consistency.
Daily management is essential. Monitor water parameters regularly, observe feeding behavior, and separate turtles of different sizes to prevent bullying. Ensure feeding is done four times a day and protect hatchlings from predators like snakes, rats, and birds. If any sick turtles are found, isolate them immediately and disinfect the area.
Finally, winter management is critical. Young turtles store less energy and need a stable environment during cold months. Prepare the wintering pool by sealing windows and doors, adding 20–30 cm of sand, and keeping water depth above 1 meter. When temperatures drop to 14°C, move hatchlings indoors with a stocking density of 100–200 per square meter. Use heating methods to maintain temperatures between 0–8°C, ensuring safe hibernation and survival.
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