08/09/2017
DO YOU KNOW IS PRACTICABLE TO HAVE Chicken-Fish Farming Integrated
Chicken raising for meat (broilers) or eggs (layers) can be integrated with fish culture to reduce costs on fertilizers and feeds in fish culture and maximize benefits. Chicken can be raised over or adjacent to the ponds and the poultry excreta recycled to fertilize the fishponds. Raising chickens over the pond has certain advantages: it maximizes the use of space; saves labour in transporting manure to the ponds and the poultry house is more hygienic. No significant differences have been observed on the chickens' growth or egg laying when they are raised over the ponds or on land. In case of the former, the pond embankment could still be utilized for raising vegetables.
Fish culture
1. Pond preparation
For an example pond of 1 000 m², remove predatory and w**d fish either by draining the pond or by applying an approved piscicide.
Apply 25 kg lime to pond bottom if the pond is dry, or dissolve lime in water and spray solution if pond has water.
2. Stocking
Stock 600-1 000 fingerlings of Indian carps, catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and Chinese carps, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Species stocking rate could be 40 percent surface feeders (catla and silver carp), 20 percent rohu, 30 percent bottom feeders (mrigal and common carp) and 10 percent grass carp.
3. Feeding
No feeds need to be given, as the feed spilled by chicken (which could be as much as 10 percent) fall into ponds.
4. Fertilization
No fertilizer is needed, except for excreta of chicken falling into ponds.
5. Harvesting
Harvesting of fish could start 6-7 months after stocking when some fish reach table size.
6. Oxygen depletion
When water becomes deep green due to plankton blooms, oxygen in the water may get depleted and fish may die. In such cases, put mats or plastic sheets below the poultry house to catch the chicken excreta and suspend nutrient inputs for 1 to 3 weeks. If possible, immediately irrigate the pond with freshwater.
Chicken raising
For the first 14 days, chicks need to be raised separately in a brooder (not on pond), as they need higher temperature of 28-33 ºC (85-95 ºF). Each chick during this period needs a space of 7.5 x 7.5 cm (9 in²). To maintain the required temperature range, surround the chicks in a bamboo fence and hang an electric or kerosene lamp above them. A rice husk heater can also be used.
1. Broilers: 30-50 broilers could be raised on a 1 000 m² pond.
The chicken house can be constructed over the pond at least 0.5 m above maximum pond water level, or on the embankment. Each bird requires 1.5 ft² space (50 birds require 75 ft² space). The house can be made of bamboo or any other locally available cheap materials. Roof can be covered with hay or similar material. Enough cross ventilation should be maintained to keep cool during hot days. Floors are to be constructed with bamboo slats, with 1 cm gap, to allow excreta to fall into pond, but not wide enough for the chicken's feet to get caught in between and injured.
Any fast-growing chicken, like Shavar Starbro broilers, can be raised.
Feed with starter mash for 1-4 weeks and with finisher mash for 5-8 weeks, given as much as they can consume. A 100-kg starter mash requires 50 kg crushed wheat, 14.5 kg rice bran, 16 kg sesame oil cake, 19 kg fishmeal and 0.5 kg salt. A 100 kg finisher mash requires 50 kg crushed wheat, 17 kg rice bran, 15 kg sesame oil cake, 16 kg fish meal, 1.5 kg bone meal and 0.5 kg salt. In both cases, vitamin premix is added at the rate of 250 g/100 kg of feed.
Water should be provided at all times.
2. Chicken layers: 30-50 layers can be raised over a pond of 1 000 m².
Housing can be constructed on pond or on embankment. Each bird requires 3 ft² floor area.
Any good strain of chicken, like Star Cross Shavar, could be raised.
For the first 16 weeks, feed is given at the rate of 80-110 g/bird/day and from 17th week onwards, 110-120 g/bird/day. Feed composition is given in the chart below.
Temperature in the poultry house should always be above 20-22°C. When the temperature goes below this level, hang two 200-watt bulbs or two kerosene lamps for every 50 chickens. A rice husk heater can also be used.
Broilers reach market size of 1.5-1.8 kg in 7-8 weeks and it is possible to raise six batches in a year. Layers start laying after 22 weeks and 250-280 eggs/bird/year could be obtained. Egg laying becomes uneconomical after chickens reach the age of 18 months, when they need to be replaced.
Because chickens are usually kept in confinement, they are susceptible to disease. When disease strikes, the whole flock may be affected: growth will be re****ed, egg production will go down or the chickens may die. Thus, broilers will not reach market weight in time. For layers, sexual maturity is delayed. Protective measures are needed.
