aquadude15:

God bless you sir

soft777:
Dic 19 alle 4:32 PM
HOW AND WHEN TO FEED
After successfully getting good quality seed and a good feed formula the next step is to know when and how to feed to get the best fcr results, take proper note of the following.
1, Feed at a particular feeding point , for those with concrete pond try to feed on 2 points at same time it will ensure even growth of your fish and discourage shooters because ,all fish will eat, the more aggressive will feed on one part and the less aggressive on the other part of the pond ,catfish are very intelligent in a week, all the fish will recognize there feed point and just swim to there different feeding point once its time to eat
For earthen pond users feed also at 2 to 3 feeding points, because in earthen ponds sorting is rather too difficult ,so to ensure even growth use the lino carpet method, i discussed in my earlier post .That is put a nylon tarpaulin or lino carpet to the feeding area. Stick the carpet or tarpaulin to the soil of the pond with a stick ,a white color tarpaulin or lino carpet is preferable, it help little fingerlings and juvenile quickly find there way to there feeding area.NOTE YOU CAN USE MACINTOSH ALSO
2.Always feed at a particular given time , dont feed today 10 am tomorrow 2pm next tomorrow 6pm .this is very bad feeding system cause catfish knows there feeding time. If u feed lets say 10am always by 10 am go and check your pond and you will see them swimming around the feed area ,because they know its time to eat , feeding at exact and un interrupted time regularly help reduce catfish stress and they grow better convert there feed better because there enzyms and internal micro organism that help them digest and convert feed have been regularized by the catfish inner system to be active at that time so it makes them convert faster and better than irregular feeding time .I call this PROMPT FEEDING.
3,In concrete pond feed at 3 to 4 times a day and in earthen ponds 2 times a day is prefearable , for concrete pond users , when you know the total amount of feed your catfish eats in a day ,lets say 10kg a day ,what you do is divide the 10 kg into 4 this will give u 2.5kg ,then feed 8am with 2.5 kg, 12noon 2.5kg ,4pm 2.5kg and 7pm 2.5 kg .though feeding time may differ from farm to farm ,while in earthen pond divide your total feed ,fed a day by 2 and feed morning 8am and evening 6pm for optimal results.
4 , feed at optimal temperatures 25-30 degree , at this temperature fish metabolism are higher and they tend to convert there feed faster to flesh ,giving lower fcr,. This is the reason why in cold season like harmatan , fish grows lower cause most ponds have far more fall in temperature .
So in hot season feed minimum 2 times early morning before 10 am and early evening just when the sun is going down between 5pm to 7pm .
In harmatan season or a very cold rainy day ,feed 1 time to SATIATION ,because during cold weather fish loose appetite because of the cold temperature, and when you put too much feed in your water they will not eat or get aggressive to eat .Do not panic nothing is wrong with your fish ,it is just there nature when weather is too cold or too hot , catfish will stress because they have no scale on there body to cover there skin and tend to stay underground the water or pond bottom, which is warmer in cold time and cooler in hot weather . they stay under ground because the temperature under the water does not fluctuate faster or change rapidly than the surface water temperature .These are one of the secrets of there successful HIBERNATION in nature in the open streams .
When they stress they eat less, but they are perfectly ok dont go treating healthy fish. So what to do is in cold season ,feed 1 time during the afternoon when the temperature of the water is up or increased, that will encourage them to come up to eat,this should be between 2pm to 4 pm .
At this time if for example on a good weather you feed your fish 25kg in the morning and 25kg feed in the evening meaning 50 kg , this is on a good day using earthen pond as an example .
What you do in a cold day is feed 3/4 of the 50 kg which is approximately 38kg one time between 2pm to 4 pm and they will be fine for the rest of the day , or you do what is called feed to satiation, meaning you feed them till they get tired and refuse to eat.
In very, very hot day ,like the type some farmers experience in the north, feed very early in the morning for optimum result
5,When fish refuse to eat dont force your feed on them by pouring it unnecessary in the pond . It will cause pollution in your water and there by increasing the amonia content in your pond water ,giving you a very serious water quality issue.
6,When u want to change feed from floating or foreign to local sinking feed ,its advicable to mix your floating feed with your intended formulated local feed in the ratio 1:1 for first 3 days then 1 :2 for foreign and local respectively . for next 4 days making it a week .This does 4 things for your fish
a, It helps your fish start to accept the new local feed gradually before u switch to only the cheaper local feed alone.
b,It help your fish body system adjust to the new type of feed gradually so as not to be stress by sudden ingredients change ,they are more sensitive to change in feed than other animals
c,it help reduce wastage because some fish will pick your newly introduce local feed and go under the pond to vomit it and there for wastage of feed and water pollution
d,It keep your fish weight ok, because when you just change the feed drastically , not all catfish will eat, only few will eat and so those that dont eat will loose weight and this is not good for business,

7, Best way to feed local feed: dont pour local sinking feed by broadcasting ,like the way done when feeding foreign floating feed , .when feeding local feed you have to be patient gently put the feed were the fish are concentrated as in were the action is and put it gently a hand full after the other .That is wait and see that ,the first full hand you gently put in the pond is been consumed before you put another hand gently , dont just pour everything out of your feed pan one time ,its very wrong.

When you get to your pond CARRYING CAPACITY, which is the time when your fish stop growing and adding weight, no matter the feed fed they will not grow or add weight,at this point u need to sell your fish or losses will set in.
There is a method to calculate your pond carrying capacity but i will explain in a simpler method for everyone to understand .
A good fish farmer should be able to have a record of fish weight gained weekly in concrete ponds or 2 weeks interval in earthen ponds ,this will help you determine and decide fast when you are getting close to your pond carrying capacity and start to contact buyers before you exceed your carrying capacity ,then you start to feed with your profit .this is one of the main reason a farmer with good rearing success will still encounter lost in the business because he knows no knowledge of the actual time to sell .
Most farmers sell there fish 6 months because another farmer sold 6 months not knowing no 2 farmers can or may have same carrying capacity ,it differs from farm to farm,a fish that you can sell after reaching your pond carrying capacity in 4 months will be sold at 6 months wasting time energy and money ...... for example using a concrete pond as a study .
When you weigh your fish and get average weight of 200 gram , then the next week u get an average weight of 300gram means your fish has gained 100kg in one week .The third week you weigh again and get an average of 450g means all good, u got extra 150kg in 1 week interval .If at 4 week u get 500kg ,fine you got 50 kg extra but from your projection your weight have dropped and because you were getting 100 and 150 weigh gained before so with 50kg you will start to be very carefull and try to determine 3 things...........to be continued on teusday THANKS ALL FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ GODBLESS !!!!!

robonski15:
[b] (Fish Farmers Association Of Nigeria)

Over the years, we have seen many fish farmers closing their farm(s) due to huge loss(es) that they recorded from an investment that is suppose to economically empower them; fish farming. We have seen many fish farmers/investors fallen ill or even been sent to their early grave as a result of debt or losses incured through fish farming due to lack of synergy among fish farmers where information(s) and idea(s) about the business could be shared, lack of protective measures of farm, bad construction of pond, lack of experience, purchase of bad seed (fingerling/juvenile), engagement of bad consultant, employment of incompetent staffs, usage of bad feed, victimization from fish vendors with pricing while some fish vendors even run away with our money, lack of regulation, recognition and support from the government and many more. A farmer that have invested so much (capital, time and labour) with the hope of making profit during harvest now ends up in debt or making little or no profit at all.

Considering all these limitating factors that is hampering our success as fish farmers, it is pertinent that we (fish farmers) as a matter of urgency think of a way out to help ourselves.

With a high sense of mental engagement, research and responsibility, some of us (fish farmers) have mutually come together to help all fish farmers in the country to come together under one umbrella to continually provide food and employments for the country while we protect our investment by legally forming a body in form of an association with the name Fish Farmers Association Of Nigeria (FIFAN) which will enable us to have a voice in the society. FIFAN exists to eradicate hunger while we help all fish farmers to grow.

So, how exactly can becoming a member of this synergistic group help to enhance your productivity and profitability?

Here are some of the benefits of joining FIFAN:
1)Access to our magnificent catfish feed.. I will shed more light on this on our next write up..
2) Government recognition and support: This will enable us to have a voice for better representation and promotion of our interest.
3) Continuing education: To broaden our knowledge on fish farm management, farm techniques, hatchery and so on through training, workshops, conferences and seminars.
4) Networking: It offers opportunities to meet other farmers in order to foster a smooth relationship among members either at a local meetings or workshops and seminars organized by the association. As the saying goes, "No man is an island". Business people do not thrive when they are isolated from colleagues. Regular interaction leads to learning, personal growth and business progression.
5) Price regulation: To subdue the strength of fish vendors that have hitherto dictate the selling price of fish while we regulate fish price for profitability.
6) To have access to information sharing and update about new development in the industry.
7) Professional services: We will have access to professional services such as consultation, pond construction,recommendation for loan, free/discount legal service, debt recovering, feed purchase at discounted rate and more.
8. Searchable member directory: We will have access to searchable database of all members, where members and potential clients can use to find a service provider.

N.B. The name (Fish Farmer Association Of Nigeria) is my suggestion but the floor is open for suggestions and deliberation.

Thanks[/b]

kejes10:
God bless you so much sir. I have learned something new again.

bily:


This is a welcomed development. Everyone who has at any point participated in this thread, whether active or not should endeavor to join the proposed association.

We need a collective voice and not being a part of this may actually be a disservice to us.

With the price of crude oil going down, Nigeria has no other choice than to diversify the economy, and agriculture will be one of the major vehicles of diversification. Sometimes success in life can be just about placement, being at the right place at the right time. I see a lot of potentials in this and I am happy the champions of this course are not just local champions,

I personally I go dey follow una bumper to bumper, no dulling for 2016.

bily:


This is a welcomed development. Everyone who has at any point participated in this thread, whether active or not should endeavour to join the proposed association.

We need a collective voice and not being a part of this may actually be a disservice to us.

With the price of crude oil going down, Nigeria has no other choice than to diversify the economy, and agriculture will be one of the major vehicles of diversification. Sometimes success in life can be just about placement, being at the right place at the right time. I see a lot of potentials in this and I am happy the champions of this course are not just local champions,

I personally I go dey follow una bumper to bumper, no dulling for 2016.

NUVEMBARZINTL:
I love the ongoing debate about the proposed identity of an association for all fish farmers. It's worthy to note that we have soooo many associations in existence already in one state or the other. These associations were created base on the mnutual aggrement of the people dt formed them and as such, their motive(s) for creation mught be different from the overall objectives as stated by Robonski.

I think there's a need to come up with an overall single association that will bear that name; an identity that shows through its name without any explanation wether home or abroad that THIS IS AN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN'S FISH FARMERS.
My people, we don't have such an association for now. Rather, what we have is different people in different locality, registering a name for themselves. For instance, I belonged to GRASSROOT FARMERS ASSOCIATION in PortHarcourt, a registered association but we don't have it in other part of the country.

Now, we are advocating for a body that will shoulder all the responsibilities of all sub-grps. Many of these associations in existence has not and cannot even meet with the government face to face. Pls, my people, we need an overall body. For instance, we have so many workers and trader associations and grps under NLC, same goes for football where all other sub-associations all over the world meets under FIFA. In the same vein, I dnt see the creation of this very association as a threat to the existing ones.

Without slighting any existence association (we are all to achieve an end), but can anyone or any member of such association tell us any benefit or recognition that they've achieved from the govt, feed producing company, ministry of agriculture, Federal Institute of Oceanography and Marine Technology and the rest?

Pls, this move for registration of an association isn't a poower tussle for superiority but a neccesity for us all.

FIFAN could have been an ideal name coz we have some of us that cultures Tilapia & other breeds too. I've personally gone through facebook, google and other search engines, there's no FIFAN (Fish related) in existence yet.

Wishing you all the very best!!!

chilanfarms:
#some 1 said fifan is registered @ Ilorin! Allied fish farmers association of Nigeria

NUVEMBARZINTL:

I've gone through google several time to check for FISH FARMER ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA but I found none. Take your time too to search for it pls.
Also, I'll personally appreciate it if we can have famers frm Ilorin that cn attest to bn a member of FIFAN already. 10Q

Wishing you all the very best!!!

NUVEMBARZINTL:

I've gone through google several time to check for FISH FARMER ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA but I found none. Take your time too to search for it pls.
Also, I'll personally appreciate it if we can have famers frm Ilorin that cn attest to bn a member of FIFAN already. 10Q

Wishing you all the very best!!!

noblefarm:


And not in town now but will check with the chairman here when I enter town to find out d exact name they use
Thanks

noblefarm:


And not in town now but will check with the chairman here when I enter town to find out d exact name they use
Thanks

kejes10:
I'm on it sir. Good to rub shoulder with great mind like you and soft777. Any name of the above will be Ok. Thanks for the ideal.

adegbem:


Same spirit Here following bumper to bumper getting a loan next year and I would be starting with full force knowledge already gain through this forum... Ogas in the house please keep it up and I pray more grace and blessings from God has you keep giving and nothing holding back good information and help like this

noblefarm:


And not in town now but will check with the chairman here when I enter town to find out d exact name they use
Thanks

robonski15:


Hello boss, we have to be sure fifan is not registered.. Will be expecting your findings.. Thanks

Jesusbaby6:


Oga robonski and all the contributors of thisthread may God bless u, by God's grace I will start my small fish farm by 2016 and put to practice all u guys have imparted and I want to be a member of this great association because I know it is an association that will impart lives positively to the Glory of God. 2016 is Glorious for us all in Jesus name

indncfarms:


Hi Guys, I've been following this great thread since August. Stocked our first batch of juveniles towards the end of September 2015. The fishes will be 3 months this week and we have ponds with average weight of 600g, 700g and 800g. It has been an awesome experience. Have contacted Robonski on whatsapp a few times and he was of immense help.

Please, you guys should keep the fire burning.

Meanwhile, we will appreciate CONTACTS OF CATFISH BUYERS IN OWERRI AXIS for about 3tons of the above stated weight.

God bless us!

Abidemi501:
Hello oga robonski! I wish to start next year. Here are my question. Does Melange sel more than other kind of fishes.
Is it ideal 4 a begina like me start the bisnes wit Melange?
What ar d equipment needed 4 spawn. And production of Melange. I have a land close to stream. Is it useful? As at now, what is the cost of producin Melange frm Fingerling. If i stock 5000 pieces. Thank u lov u

abidecz:
My ogas how can I work out my small outlet to big one

robonski15:


Hello sir Melange currently has the most buyers.. To make a reasonable profit out of melange farming you should have a dedicated hatchery for producing your own fingerlings.. Spawning is a total ball game all together you have to be trained properly before embarking on the business.. you will need hatchery house, pumping machine,spawning vats with all the necessary plumbing work done like shower rose, aerators, parent stock, spawning net, etc.. Land close to the stream will be very useful for earthen ponds construction..

robonski15:


Thank you very much sir, where is your location??

NUVEMBARZINTL:

I've gone through google several time to check for FISH FARMER ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA but I found none. Take your time too to search for it pls.
Also, I'll personally appreciate it if we can have famers frm Ilorin that cn attest to bn a member of FIFAN already. 10Q

Wishing you all the very best!!!

Oyalfares:
Robonski15 and @Soft777 - YOU GUYS' PRESENCE ON NAIRALAND IS AMAZING! BUT YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO REPLY TO MESSAGES ON WHATSAPP. IT IS ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW OF PAYMENT TO FIRST BANK ACCOUNT AND YET NO RESPONSE. PLEASE RESPOND TODAY!!!! TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING! THE OTHER TIME I WANTED TO VISIT THE FARM BUT YOU TOLD ME NOT TO AND FAILED TO GIVE ADDRESS BECAUSE YOU CLAIMED THAT THERE WERE ONGOING REPAIRS. SO WHAT NEXT? EITHER CARRY ME ALONG OR REFUND. AT THIS POINT IVE LOST INTEREST IN WHATEVER IS GOING ON HERE.

GOLDLOVER:

I think Allied fish farmers association of Nigeria (AFFAN) is an appropriate name for the group.
Other suggestions are;
Association of Professional fish farmers of Nigeria (APFFN).
Fish Farmers Union of Nigeria (FFUN).
National Union of Fish Farmers (NUFF).
Any of the above aptly describes the kind of organisation proposed by Boss Robonski and Nuvemb. Thanks.

Fhemmmy:


CHairman, just a question though . . . . Is there any reason why the about to be formed association cant look for one that has been registered already and join force together to be better?
Like i said, it is just a question, as long as there is another association out there that has same mission and vision, why not join and negotiate how to be part of the executive and make it better.
I am saying this because, if there are just small pockets of associations out there, it will not be as effective as one huge association with substance.