Effects of Pig Manure on the Growth Rate of Oreochromis niloticus under integrated fish cum pig farming system

Abstract

The growth response of Oreochromis niloticus (mean weight = 7.54 ± 0.91g) was determined under integrated fish cum piggery system at the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted for 10 weeks between October and December 1999 in order to determine fish growth using pig manure (treatment) as compared to the use of formulated diet (control). Four ponds each measuring 1000m2 were used in the study. The ponds were stocked at a rate of 1.5 fish fingerlings/m2. Two treatment ponds each received pig manure at a rate of 10 kg daily and fish in the two control ponds were fed the formulated diet 5% of their body weight daily. Fish growth and pond water quality was monitored weekly. Mean values for specific growth rate (SGR) in control and treatment ponds were 0.73 and 0.74 %/day respectively, (P > 0.05); while the values for daily growth rate (DGR) were 0.29 and 0.24 g/day respectively. Corresponding extrapolated yields of 302 and 242 kg/ha were obtained during the 70-day culture period respectively.


Key words: Fish, Growth, Integration, Manure


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.17(2) 2002: 85-88