Comparative Study of Maize Bran and Chicken Manure as Fish Feed Supplement: Effects on Growth Rate of <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> in Pond Culture Systems

Abstract

Aquaculture is an emerging reasonable answer to overexploitation of wild fish stock as the demand for wild fish stock is outstripping supply due to several geo-socio-economic reasons. However, productivity and profitability of aquaculture in Zimbabwe is affected by high costs of fish feeds. This study was done to compare and evaluate the effects of maize bran and chicken manure on growth of Oreochromis niloticus cultured in ponds at Lake Chivero. Three replicate spherical concrete ponds were each applied with chicken manure, maize bran and others left to be the control ponds. A complete randomized experimental design was used. Fish sampled from maize bran fed ponds had the highest growth rate, followed by fish fed with chicken manure ponds and, the control ponds respectively. The use of locally available waste products and feed materials in can be useful in the profitability of O. niloticus culture locally as cereal bran such as maize bran is generally cheap and chicken manure are readily available in Zimbabwe. Further studies should be undertaken on how maize and chicken manure should be applied with proper feeding regimes and ratios to stimulate algae production as well as to prevent fish mortality.