Integrated Fish Farming: Fish cum Duck Farming

Introduction 

The term "integrated fish farming" refers to a method of cultivating fishes in combination with several other agricultural/livestock crop cultivation centered just on fish ponds. Fish and livestock such as duck cultivation sub-systems are interconnected in just such a manner that byproducts/waste through one sub-system provides important inputs to another sub-system and thus total utilization of farmland and water resources, contributing to greater as well as diverse farm production with minimal economic and labor input.

Synergetic association of two or more farming systems for efficient recycling of wastes (nutrients) from one farming system into other farming systems for higher production per unit area is called "Integrated Farming System". Fish farming is the most suitable production system, where a wide range of wastes can be recycled efficiently 

Fish-cum-duck farming 

In this integration, both fish and ducks are benefitted. Ducks are called ‘moving carbon machines’ and agitate of tilt pond water helps in aeration as well as pond soil siltation. It is very common in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Manipur, Tripura, and Assam. 

Duck droppings are a good pond fertilizer, just like chicken droppings. The ducks not only disseminate the droppings around the pond, but they also oxygenate it with their paddling movement, making them bio-aerators. It also eats undesired vegetation such as duckweed and hazardous predatory insects, which must be eliminated from aquaculture ponds otherwise. 

Duck house 

It is preferable to build the duck house just on embankments so that they can be protected during the night and egg-laying and have quick access to the pond as needed. The opening in the bottom should be approximately 5 cm2. Every duckling needs 1 to 1.5 square feet of area to be comfortable. The house's height should be roughly 2.5 m, with adequate ventilation. 

Selection of duck species  

Healthy ducks should be selected for duck cum fish farming for better growth and survival of ducks. Due to excellent disease resistance, rapid growth, and great egg-laying capability, Khaki Campbell and Indian runner are good duck varieties for farming practices.  

Stocking density of duck and fish  

20 days old ducks are stocked. For 1 hectare of pond fertilization, a stocking density of 200-300 chicks is enough. Every year, 10,000–15, 000 kg of droppings are supplied to it, which are then recycled in one-hectare ponds. 20000 fish fingerlings are sufficient for one hectare integrated culture along with ducks. 

Feeding of duck 

Ducks in open water can get natural food from the pond, but it isn't enough for them to grow properly. Ducks can be fed 100 gm/bird/day of a supplementary feed made up of any conventional adjusted poultry diet and rice bran in a 1:2 by weight ratio. The food is administered twice daily, once in the morning and again in the evening.  

Laying of eggs 

When a chick reaches adulthood of seven months, she begins laying eggs. Annually, every chick lays approximately 150–200 eggs. From late-night till around 9 a.m. they start egg-laying. As a result, they are permitted to enter the ponds after 9 a.m.  

Disease in duck 

Ducks are more resistant to diseases in comparison to poultry birds. A common disease in duckling and ducks includes duck plague, pox, cholera, ranikhet, duck hepatitis, and duck virus disease, among others.  

Production from fish cum duck farming system 

Savings in production costs are estimated to be in the range of 50-60%. The estimated yearly output from the fish-cum-duck cultivation is around 4000-5000 kg of fish, 25,000-30000 eggs, as well as 600-700 kg of duck meat /ha/year. 

Fish species for integrated fish farming: 

It is suggested that both native and foreign fish species be cultivated in an integrated approach. Surface feeders include indigenous species such as Catla (Catla catla), which are zooplankton consumers, and exotic species such as silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), which are phytoplankton feeders. Rohu (Labeo rohita), a native species, is herbivorous and a column feeder. Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and Calbasu (Labeo calbasu) both are detritivorous indigenous species, while common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are alien detritivorous/omnivorous bottom feeders. Herbivorous alien species such as the Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) appear on the surface, columns, and peripheral region of the feeding habitat. 

Conclusion 

Integrated fish farming providing food security, livelihoods as well as jobs for the world's rising population is growing. The economic point of view of integrated fish farming cannot be overstated because the integration is varied and diverse. It is amongst the most sustainable, dependable, and successful cultivation enterprises. Utilize all farm wastes for sustainable food production, enhancing production per unit area, lowering production costs, and keeping the environment clean. It makes a significant contribution to the economic growth empowerment of rural farmers. It empowers the farmers to be profitable throughout the year-long as well as completely maximize yield. 

Authors

Jham Lal¹, Shatrupa³, Tameshwar², Narsingh Kashyap⁴, Jenifer Debbarma¹ 

¹College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, Central Agricultural University, Imphal 

²College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 

²College of Fisheries, Dholi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur 

³Institute of Fisheries Post Graduate Studies – TNJFU Vaniyanchavadi, Chennai