₦airaland Forum

Feed Conversion Ratio(FCR)- It's used to determine if feeds are being used as efficiently as possible and it's calculated as the weight of the feed fed to the fish divided by the weight of fish growth. E.g: If fish are fed 10kg of feed and then exhibit a 5kg weight gain, the FCR = 10/5 = 2.0
NB: FCRs of 1.5 - 2.0 are considered good growth.
Feed Efficiency(FE)- Is simply the reciprocal of FCRs (i.e 1/FCR). From the example above, the FE is 1/2 =50% (i.e 0.5 *100)
NB: FEs greater than 50% are considered good.
Research shows that fish are not completely efficient(FEs of 100percent, FCRs of 1.0). When fed 5kg of feed, fish cannot exhibit 5kg of growth because they must use some energy in feed for metabolic heat, digestive processing, respiration, swimming and other activities.

My greetings to every member of this inspiring thread. All the bosses in this thread are so wonderful and God in His infinite mercy will enlarge your coast. I will implore us to not just come here to ask questions but to come and drop testimonies on what we have tried and work perfectly. Lets share our findings and innovations. I am inspired by all the expertise of the bosses in the house. Kudos! Pls, all our Ogas at the top, Robonski, Ab1x, and others, don't hesitate to comment whenever you read our findings.

robonski15:
No need to panick most times its over feeding.. Whats the present situation?

I hail you boss and permit me to drop my observation concerning this issue of big belly that scare some of us. I kind of noticed that when they grow big belly, it kind of boost their growth at times. Also, if they are of the same size and some grow big belly, its a key to knowing the shooters, so i think and have observed. Above all, I think it shows they eat more than their mates and as a result grow bigger, other things being equal.

I really appreciate boss. So, before the 3rd month, the good should have been separated from the bad. Thereafter, feeding the best ones till 6th month and harvesting the not well growing ones at 4 and half months.

ab1x:
The fact is out of that 11,000 pieces...the good ones may not be more than 3000 pieces. It is enough to bring back the return on your investment. Others will be reared for 4 1/2 to 5months after which I will sell them off.

This is indeed an hidden truth. Boss, pls at what month can one really ascertain the shooters out of the not well growing ones? Also, can you pls give the break down of the floating feeds you use for the 11000? I really appreciate your effort on this great thread.

Simcha:
The school is Ekiti state university. Thanks for your advice.

You're welcome.

@Simcha
In response to your questions, I would love to contribute to the best of my knowledge. I dont know the institution in which you are being offered this admission but I'll like to say that a good grade from a reputable institution would take you far in the labour market. Any degree course in an institution is marketable provided it is accredited. Also, becoming an enterpreneur does not necessarily mean you have to bag a degree in such field. You can attend seminars, you can attend trainings, etc. If you are so keen on animal science, you can take a masters in it after your first degree in this particular course you are given.

ab1x:
I have never used groundnut seed before so I can't say anything about it however toasted soya is effective. I have seen some farm that use gnc without soya likewise some farm use soya without gnc. The most important ingredient is fish meal and it is constant and every order thing follows

Thanks a great deal, boss.

ab1x:
Fish tend to have rapid growth between 3 to 6months. You are very much on track. You can keep using 30% fish meal

Thanks for the encouragement, boss. I feel motivated. Pls, dont hesitate to keep us informed as you always do. God will in His infinite mercies continually bless ur endowments. What do you think about using groundnut seed in replace of GNC and btw Soya seed and toasted Soya, which is better?

@ boss ab1x, thanks for being there at all times. In response to wat u declared, I used 40% from d start and just reduced it to 30 when they turned 3months and I added a little blood meal to their feed. Now, they would be 4months next week, but lots of them re still within 500g- 650g, of which I'm envisaging 6months. Wat can I do within this short period to make them attain desirable size if at all they can still attain a reasonable size? If there's any possibility of achieving a better result, I would appreciate if could give me the formula

ab1x:
It is quite economical. There will be reduction in the price of the feeds as the fish continue to grow. The logic is that when the fish is small they tend to consume quality feeds which is quite costly but as times goes by there will be reduction in the cost of feeds. By the time they reach 3 and half month to four month, the cost per kg should not be more than 250 naira per kg

My honourable boss himself, Ab1x, pls I've got some questions bothering me:
I think within 3 and half month to 4 months, one should ve started feed with finisher if growing out for 6months. Pls, wat should be d ideal average weight at that month range before one can start the finisher? If at 3months 2weeks, d average weight is 500g, how realistic is it to meet d desirable size if one start giving them the finisher that contains broiler starter? Besides, which brand of broiler starter do u use or do you formulate it?

robonski15:
The minimum you can stock is 5000
www.agricnetwork.com

Thanks a lot, boss.

ayosat:
it is profitable only if you do it on a large scale.
mind you I said project #150. not necessary you will spend up to that. if you have fast growing fish, you won't spend that much to get melange. but melange is done on a large scale to get any meaningful profit out of it.

Pls, I would love if you could give a range. Maybe a minimum number one can stock to make a meaningful profit. Thanks as I appreciate your contribution.

[quote author=ab1x post=36747112]I rear my fish for 6months. I start using finisher when they are 4 and half months to reduce cost. However, I don't advise anyone to use local fish. I will rather reduce the FM % to minimal than use local fish. You can't compare processed and imported stuff with enough additive with what they source for locally. Some of the local fish people use can make u vomit if you smell it. It's just so disgusting unless of course you can get those small fish ; we call it yoyo in
Oga ab1x, I really appreciate ur inputs in this great thread and one thing is certain, only God can reward you. Pls, I would love you to kindly share ur formula from starter to finisher again for the sake of clarity. i.e Formula 1 to the last in accordance. Thanks for the selfless service.

The length of the fish(dutch) is impressive but I expected more body weight than what I have.Some of them are 900g, 1kg, 1.1kg. I just wish they could add weight to their present length, wow! it would have been so amazing.
Pardon me, I was referring to fatness when I said weight.
Oga ab1x

Thanks for the prompt response. I really appreciate. Pls, I ve some questions to ask you. I'm using the formula that contains broiler starter and I started when they were 4months plus. They would be 5months next week but they hardly eat now.The weight of the feed is no doubt impressive as one can also feel it when carrying it.Can one use the formulated broiler starter or buy the ready made?The FM in it is local and 20kg in 200kg, is the quality not low as said by my miller?which formula can one use to gain massive body weight? I use concrete pond and change water before or as at when due.

ab1x:
I am doing great my brother. There are different kind of local feed formula. Everything depends on one's pocket. Some farmers introduce maize, koko garri, broiler finisher, pkc etc in their local feed finisher. I mainly use little maize with enough biscuit in my finisher. Making 100kg, it can be fm 10, ts 15 gnc 15 maize 10 biscuit 30 flour 20 premix 0.5 salt 2 vitc 100g dcp 1 molasis 10

Glad to hear that you are doing great. I really appreciate your selfless contribution here on this thread and God will reward you according including others numerous to mention. Pls, I will like you to explain the function of molasis. Also, there was this formula 2 you dropped here which contains broilers starter, I will like to know the essence of broilers starter in the formula and why the FM is local 20kg in 200kg?

ab1x:
Boss. I dey follow u bumper to bumper. Helping others is my joy !

Oga Ab1x, it's been long we heard from you on this thread. I hope you are doing good? Pls, I would like you to come and update us on feed formulation. Also, I would love if you can give us a formula that can serve as finisher. Thanks in anticipation.

Lorjes:
My brother well done and remain blessed,
This formula is same as the one you said is for second stage.
Pls kindly run through it.

Its very different. The fish meal in the 2nd is local while that of the 1st is danish 72%. The 2nd contains broilers starter while the 1st does not.

Lorjes:
Pls sir let me have the 1st formula also because my is just 2weeks. God bless you.

Amen and you too. Here is it as written by abx1: FM (Danish)72% 40 Toasted Soya 20 GNC 20 Indomie or biscuit 20 Premix 1 Lysine 1 Vit C 200grams DCP 1 Molasis 10 Floxinor 1 Salt 1

Lorjes:
Pls my brother, at what month did you start giving them this locally mixed feed?

Within one and half month to two months for the 1st formula but the 2nd formula which I think you are asking is three and half months.

Lorjes:
Thanks a million times.

You're highly welcome.

Lorjes:
My brother pls don't be offended, this items that you listed where exactly can one get them?

Thank you

Any milling factory will get them for you. Just give them the list of items you want to mill.

robonski15:
No effect sir..

I'm so grateful sir. But should in case I want to mill more, it should be in kg?

robonski15:
How many kg did you mill all together?

200Kg and they are 4months above. FM(local) 20 Broiles starter 50 GNC 40 TS 40 Flour 30 Indomie 20 premix 0.1 lysine 0.1 Vit c 150grams salt 0.1 molasis 0.10 floxinor 0.1

robonski15:
If it is this formula then its is 1kg considering the amount of fm,ts gnc and indomie

Thanks sir for your quick response. I took this formula to a mill factory, but what they used was 0.1 for salt,floxinor,etc. I hope it wouldn't affect the fishes sir. I will like to hear ur view.

My greetings to all the bosses in the house and every member of this great thread. Oga robonski and any available expert in the house, I would like you to please help me interprete some measurements in Oga abx1's formula. In his formula, he listed premix 1, lysine 1, salt 1, DCP 1, Molasis 10. My question is: does the 1 means 1kg or 0.1? Thanks

atoleybaba:
aquafeed mixed with vita feed.....then d Ziegler we use the highest mm..

Thanks so much.

[quote author=atoleybaba post=34705726]In ikd...1kg goes for 480naira d least a farmer can go....my dad uses aqua feed from 2months(it gives them big shape or makes them fat) then 3days to harvest, he uses ziegler.(damn that feed normally works wonder as it gives d fish mad weight strong and sturborn) the buyers are always asking my dad's manager that " Isaac shey u dy give DX ur fish ogogoro" another thing that works for DX biz is that buyers loves long fish with big heads. Then another thing I noticed is

What a powerful secret! Pls, could you tell us what you use to feed them till the 2nd month before using the aqua? Also, which mm size of zeigler do you use 3days to harvest? Thanks in anticipation.

Oga Robonski, happy belated birthday to you. May God continue to increase you.

Belexy:
The minimum profit could be ZERO profit.
Its important you should knw dat fish farming is not an automatic instant money spinning business. Its possible for someone to dive in and come out wt fingers seriously burnt. Tread carefully, expand gradually, understand the market in ur area, minimise cost, and overall learn frm other fish farmers. Develope a passion for fish farming and dnt focus on d 'expected millions' and u wont fail.

Wow! This is quite professional. I would like you to pls give the expected average profit to maximum realisable.

Belexy:
Budget abt 250K for ur 1000 fishes.
You dnt need drugs if ur fingerlings are not sick and if u maintain good water mgt.
You can thoroughly wash ur tank and use salt or use Robonski's favourite: Blagdon anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.

Boss, I really hail you. Kudos for the good job you're doing here. Pls, I would love you to tell/give the minimum profit a farmer could make using this budget you dropped?