bilag17:
Your interest has been a concern for consideration. I have been using own local pelletized feed for years, and the result has been an encouragement to me. If interested, we can come up with an arrangement that may be a local fish feed solution, not only to us, but also to other fish farmers around us.

Thanks for your consideration and willingness to work toward more solution. May I ask, How are you producing your feed? Do you own Pellet feed production equipment or do use manual mixing..? Does your feed float, sink or both? You mentioned the result has been encouraging. What are the challenges, if any? I was taking a look at some production machines made from China that would aid in larger productions. Have you considered such?
There can be much more progress, power, and greatness in unity. Ideas cannot be substantiated until it is tried and put to use. Good Morning

Ttalk:
5kg at 10,000 naira, that is 2000 naira per kg for starter. 10,800 for 15 kg for grow out at 720 per kg. Fish is sold at 650 and 520 for table size and melange. How are we going to make profit without developing our own method.
Robonsky
Exclessior
Ab1x
Ayosat
Soft 777
Juvefarm
Chilanfarm
Other highly respected contributors not mentioned
People are making losses because of high cost of feed. What is the way out. You inspired many to go into fish farming through your contributions. Dont abandon your people when they need you most.
Just thinking aloud
Good morning

Respect to other contributors above too. This is a positive move. A Bold Gift that keeps giving.
I hope there is a fair cost to learners for your time and knowledge. Not that we won't appreciate free knowledge like we all share on this thread, but, I believe your experience cost you something whether through practical learning (try and error) or formal education. So some of us won't mind if there is a moderate affordable cost to help you channel time and resources to this beautiful endeavor. Please let us know, if any. How long would the training last..I'm guessing it will depends on the person learning skill..May be, allowing hand held device recording as a form of note taking will help. I can sort out who can come from Abj area to represent us - if you'd permit. Thanks

Ttalk:


Lysine, Meth, Salt and Premix at 1 kg each for 100kg composition. Toxin binder 0.5 Vit C 0.2.

You can add palm oil or fish oil if available

I believe many have made huge discovery but too scare to share because they dont want people to steal their ideas. What they fail to understand is that ideal will keep changing, what you are proud of today will become obsolete in few years.

Many can formulate highly nutritious feed than imported feed but the question is in the water stability of the feed.

This is a challenge to all local fish feed producer. This is my objective this year to make my feed as stable in water as Coppens

Thanks for the mix formula..I will work on this soon and let you know..It May be weeks before I may have time to try it..For now, I must buy..
You're right, many play safe until safety becomes obsolete/useless. This is why it is believed that the grave yard houses more dreams than life. But new Idea and knowledge never stop birthing and improving. Knowledge continue to improve. "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4" The Giver has unlimited resources, and He keeps giving. There is another new baby born with new "light" and better ideas than that unrevealed productive ideas. If what you're doing is good, use it to earn more money and helping your hungry nation or GDP at the same time. You become a manufacturer .
You mention stability of your formula in water like coppen and others. This seems to be about sinking or floating. This knowledge can be learned in months or so when time and resources are channeled towards that goal. We have people all over the world with access to all kind of first class technological and scientific education. You have the formula, your knowledge is not wasted when you reach out to a partner with access to the the technology you need. You can make deal with someone who can learn this technology and bring it to use exclusively for your goal without stealing it. Don't steal his or hers talent either. Greater walls of China, Journey to the moon, or mighty bridges are not built by one man. Be fair and add that partner to your board of directors and pay that person as agreed. Trust me, it is a success to be among the pioneers/founder. Use the resources we have and encourage those that can make the needed difference. UAC own livestocks feeds, and they are really trying, making many rich as directors and managers, not to mention distributors. Why not more from the likes of Ttalk or Robonski15 or both...Tasty's and Mr Biggs both sell food in millions?
Thanks for your time ...

Ttalk:

Economy: 4-6month
FM 10kg, Blood Meal 10kg, SBM 30kg, GNC 20kg, Corn 15kg Cassava Flour 5kg Wheat Offal 10kg. Lysine, Meth, Salt, Premix, Toxin Binder and Vit C

Many have msde huge discovery but to afraid to share it because they felt people would steal their ideas fogetting that it will soon become obsolete with time.
Another thing hindering our progress is plsying by the rule instead of setting new rule. My latest stock are being fed with 50% of my local starter feed and no mortality with exellent growth. If we can all go back to the dtawing board we would come out with breakthrough that would sustaing aquacultre business in Nigeria. Each time you buy starter feed above 10k know that you are simply paying the price of not producing your own feed by yourself

Thanks for that details sir...I appreciate your help. Sorry for bothering you more..Is there measure for these: Lysine, Meth, Salt, Premix, Toxin Binder and Vit C from Fingerling, Juvenile, or to adult? Can someone buy these raw materials and call or email for guidance? and where can one buy some of these?
Good to know you have proven feed mix. In relative to our discussion to produce locally, Can you mix for a fee or train others to produce for us, other farmers?
We can imagine how many farmers are being kicked out of business due to that +/- N10k cost? But i am hopeful the high cost can force local high quality production and help our dear country with struggling foreign exchange to save the foreign exchanges used for coppen and others for some other important needs we all can use especially to produce power. I am willing to patronize you and encourage local productions as enough gain to encourage investment becomes feasible. we are the people who makes all the difference. Someone must say " send me, I am ready....

Ttalk:

You can use proven formula from this thread.
Seems feed distributors are another cabals dealing with farmers. They just supply whatever they want to the market without regard for farmers demand. Today they flood the market with Coppens, tomorrow its vital, next tomorrow it ala-aqua
It is high time farmers come together and purchase directly from producer. This would enable us make reasonable bargain for price reduction and equally address the quality issue of floating feeds

Thanks again TTalk..I would appreciate it if you can quote one for me, please. However i am more interested in purchasing from a very reliable person with a proven safe formula
You have great point. There are multiple gains in creating Cooperative for CatFish farmers to patronize and support few authentic local producers and distribute some trusted foreign feed as well as addressing other important concerns such as fair marketing prizes towards sustainability. I strongly support encouraging local feed production to boost job creation and fortify us farmers against fluctuating economy and exchange rate. Imagine not finding the feed you so much depend on because of sudden importation exchange rate or total ban for whatever reason? Such moves will devastate farmers, their families and consumers alike. In support of your view, I am interested in farmer's exchange where we can bring your locally manufactured feed for distribution to farmers as a reliable source. The same place can serve as one stop for stock sales and distribution as well as feed marketing. This idea can encourage talented feed producers to continue producing good feed. The benefit will be reduced feed cost and a reliable trusted marketing location for farmers. We must consider ways to allow this exchange to earn something to facilitate all these activities that are critical to our overall success as a community of farmers. Everyone win when you factor each talent/tool/labor.

Ttalk:

Vital is good. Since you are spreading to other ponds I suggest u dedicate one pond to local feed. The experience you will get will help you in subsequent production. Knowledge in local feed management is necessary for expansion

Consider the cost of floating feed like vital that cost 6800 per 15kg, if your FCR is 1:1 then you will required 453naira to attain 1kg apart from other sundry expenses.

We cannot even find Vital feed around Ikorodu Lagos as of this past 2 days for close to this prize. Anyone with such knowledge, please share. I need to stock about 20 bags
I am seriously looking for a proven local feed with easier cost for one of the pond with those around 500 to 700g. So about 400 fishes can experiment on the local feed

Ttalk:


Sir. again i noticed that you have been managing your farm through phone and you allow your manager to take such vital decision without your consent.
Your fish could add between 200g and 300g in 4 week provided their growth in previous month is similar to what you intend to achieve in the next month.
Six week is a very long period in fish farming but it worth it if it wii yield corresponding result. What feed do you intend to use?

Wish you best of luck

Thanks.
I am changing back to Vital feed. do you suggest any better brand?

Ttalk:


You seems to assume the deficiency was caused by the starter feed you use. However, switching to high protein feed at 5month to boost fish growth is not economical. Though some species are late growers bt the improvement should have been notced in 4months

You are right TTalk. Thanks.
That was our first stocks. I recently learned my manager switched the food without notifying me to some unknown brand to save cost . Can you imagine? However, I read that our stock ( Clarias gariepinus)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarias_gariepinus - can be larger, longer and weigh more than our usual desirable 1kg. I believe it is possible to reach that extra .25 within 4 to 6 wks if well fed in a well managed freer pond . Of course- the cost is = more feeding per growth ratio in good health. I wanted to be a little patience with sustained feeding to reach my desired size after giving reasonable space and correcting the feeding formula. Selling at an average .75 kg may be ok. But I am believing the cost of that feeding will be recouped after feeding for another 6 wks and reaching our desired size...

Does anyone know about Aller Aqua feed, made globally both in the EU and Mid-East?. ..How good are they for feeding, raising catfish?.Has anyone used them to produce any good harvest..thanks

Ttalk:


If your pond is concrete pond, overstocking shouldnt have been the cause of slow growth.
In fact early sign of overstocking is the depletion of oxygen which result in mortality overnight.

Consider these factors as major cause of slow growth in concrete pond
Low temperature
Covering of pond
Low protein feed as starter
Specie of your stock
Poor water management
Irregular feeding pattern

If your pond carrying capacity is 1000 then your fish should already average 500g before the growth rate reduces and speading of fish to other pond would be the best option

TTalk, Thank you and Happy New yr.
The pond is earthen, not covered and dug on a wetland lot springing out natural drinkable fresh water.
Temp is average and the feed is Vital feed from Juvenile.
I am considering switching to some of the advertised feeding posted on this threads. i see some of them carries extra protein to aid with fast growth at an early stage.
Have any farmer patronized and used any of the feed? how well was it with the stocks? I'd appreciate encouragement..
I am also interested in stocking some species Blue catfish or Channel Catfish, largely farmed in North America. Is anyone stocking these species?
Thanks in advance

robonski15:


Good Job.

Thanks Robonski..
I have read many of your inspiring postings.
Stay blessed and Happier this year.
Happy New Year to all Farmers and their family..your work is very important in addressing food importation, and possibly the need to diversify and export food from Nigeria and Africa as it should be...
I pray this year bring better harvest even as we heed the call to address hunger within our great country..

solafandy:
I really dont think you have overstocked if you manage your water very well, like if you change every other day and make sure you use more of floating feed. If you are not satisfied with this method, i think your best bet is to sort out another 1000 into another pond and give the fishes more space. Also you could just sell off the slow growing ones and concentrate on the fast growing fishes. I do that sometimes after 3 months and i still have fishes under 500grams.

THANKS!
we are expanding, constructing new pond this week to allow sorting and space. we will get the PH testing kit and ensure our PH level is acceptable. I planned to wait until 8 mos and see how this efforts played out before selling. This is our first on fishes and our target is 1 kg or more

Solafandy and Ttalk Thanks for your advice and inputs.
it is earthen pond. the fishes are now over 5 mos old. But They (clarias) only grew to average .75 kg. The pond is located in a swampy area of Lagos with natural clean water springing out of the ground naturally. Yes, we changed water occasionally since the water refreshes itself with new water. From time to time, we simply pump and wait for new water to rise to level. I believed we over-stocked after calculating the area measurement using previous posted formulas on earlier postings on this thread. We are expanding into more ponds to allow extra space within days. Until then, I am also trying to verify if anyone has practical experience using Super Gro which another friend suggested. I am a little slow to accept using unproven drugs on matured stocks. i doubt anything many of our experienced farmers on this thread have no practical experience of.. On the other blessed, good light, we have not suffered any mortality, except this slow growth only. And I give thanks to the Almighty Lord Who give increase and good health for ensuring all fishes are healthy…
God bless all of you for helping

I want to thank all of yu for your great work discussing issues we are all learning from. I have followed through for long and needed users with experience on a product..Pls help. we are trying to recover growth missed due to overstocking a 20x30x4ft pond with 1800 catfishes. I am realizing it should not be more than 1000. stocks for such space...
So, we are looking for ways to catch up on growth missed. . Has anyone used GNLD Super gro on their catfish. Someone is suggesting it as a "fast grower"..
Thank you