Fish production through adopting semi-intensive polyculture and integrated f1sh-cum-poultry farming in three and four undrainable ponds respectively were demonstrated at different F1sh Seed Multiplication Farms(FSMFs) of Department of Fisheries (DOF) in Bangladesh during 1990 – 1992.
Polyculture of Indian and exotic carps having different spatio-trophic habits were considered as stocking material. Stocking density varied from 7660 – 12,473/ha in polyculture and that of 7,890 – 15,580 fingerlings per hectare in integrated fish-poultry system. Average weight of fingerlings at stocking ranged from 0.5 – 3500 g in polyculture and 2.0 – 157 g in Integrated fish-poultry system. Techniques of sequential harvesting and restocking of fish were practiced. Supplementary feed was applied for fish in polyculture system while no supplementary feed was applied for fish in integrated system except grass/duck weed for grass carps . In addition to base manuring, regular daily manuring was also done in polyculture system while in case of integrated farming no significant manure was given except base manuring during pond preparation.
Out of four, only chicken was reared with fish in three demonstration ponds. In the other pond, both chicken and ducks were reared together. Four different varieties of layer chicken (viz. Shaver cross hybrid, ISA Brown hybrid, White leg-horn and Phyomee) and hybrid duck (Khaki-cambell × Local variety) were considered . Number of poultry ranged from 400 – 808/ha. Poultry birds were fed ad libitum with standard self made feed.
Net production of fish varied from 2941 – 4202 kg/ha/yr in polyculture and 3585 – 4759 kg/ha/yr in integrated culture. Net return over operating costs varied from 63.29 – 96.51% and 15.75 – 22.47% in polyculture and integrated fish-poultry system respectively.
Combination of fish-chicken and fish-chicken-duck systems did not show notable differences in terms of fish production, profitability, etc. Shaver cross and ISA Brown chicken varieties laid eggs profitably. The egg laying rates of other chicken varieties and ducks were not profitable hence not recommended for fish-poultry integrated system.
Semi-intensive polyculture of fish has been found suitable technique of fish production for the rural fish farmers with less inputs and management efforts but good return.
