Abstract
The Initial feeding regime of cultured shrimp, Penaeus monodon, in many semi-intensively managed farms in Sri Lanka is based on intuition. This study was conducted to evaluate feed management strategies employed during the first month of the culture cycle (the period of blind feeding) in five selected, semi-intensively managed shrimp farms located in the North West of Sri Lanka; three earthen ponds (0.3 – 0.5 ha) in each farm were selected. Feed types, the ration, the feeding frequency and the adjustments made to feeding regime in each farm were recorded weekly. The Mean body weight and the mean % specific growth rate (%SGR) of shrimp cultured in each farm were calculated after 30 days of culture cycle. Blind feeding was implemented in all the farms from the date of stocking of shrimp post larvae up to the first 30 days of culture. The feed ration among farms varied significantly with a range of 4.0 – 7.3 kg/day/100,000 post larvae (Oneway ANOVA, p
Highlights
Shrimp farming in Asia has been developed steadily over the last four decades in response to the increasing world market demand
Feed given at the first month of the culture cycle varied between 120.8 – 219.8 kg/ 100000 post larvae
The post larvae reared in farms T1 and P were given a significantly higher amount of feed compared to that of the other farms during the blind feeding period
Summary
Shrimp farming in Asia has been developed steadily over the last four decades in response to the increasing world market demand. The aim of feed management at the farm level is to make available the best quality formulated feeds to the animals, in the required amounts at the right times and places (Akiyama & Chwang, 1989; Jorry, 1995; Tacon et al, 2013). Feed demand cannot be readily estimated using feed monitoring trays during the first few weeks of culture cycle and available option for farmers is to practice blind feeding. This study was carried out to evaluate feed management strategies during the blind feeding period of the culture cycle in shrimp farms located in North Western Province of Sri Lanka with a view to suggest possible improvements
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