Learning how to make your own vannamei shrimp feed is one solution to reduce production costs. This is due to the fact that feed is the highest operational cost in a farm. Feed cost ranges from 50 to 70% of the total cost in each cycle.
According to JALA’s Shrimp Outlook 2024 report, feed is the main component to be reduced. Farmers are beginning to search for ways to reduce feed costs, whether by choosing feed with lower protein or mixing feed with various protein values. Furthermore, making your own feed can also be an alternative to save operational costs.
Then, how do we make our own vannamei shrimp feed? Find the answer in the discussion below.
How to Make Natural Vannamei Shrimp Feed
There are two types of shrimp feed, namely the natural and artificial feed. Natural feed refers to plankton that grows in ponds, including phytoplankton and zooplankton. This type of feed is usually required by shrimp in the larval stage.
You can consider the following three methods to raise plankton in a rearing pond:
Applying CaCO₃ or dolomite lime
Lime is not immediately utilized by plankton, but it can increase alkalinity. When alkalinity increases, nitrifying bacteria can convert ammonia to nitrate, which is then utilized by plankton.
The suggested dose of each application is 10 ppm. Meanwhile, the optimal application time is in the morning.
Adding nitrifying bacteria
You can add nitrifying bacteria to grow plankton, as long as the dosage and frequency are controlled. The recommended nitrifying bacteria dosage is 0.3-0.5 ppm, while the application frequency is once a week in the morning.
Filling the pond with water in the morning
The amount of plankton in the pond will grow as the volume of water increases. This is because water contains minerals that plankton use to grow. For optimal results, fill the water to a maximum of 5 cm from the initial height.
Read more: Tips on Growing the Plankton in Shrimp Farm
How to Make Vannamei Shrimp Feed
In addition to growing natural feed, which is plankton, you can also make your own artificial feed. Artificial feed is feed that contains various nutrients to help shrimp grow.
Follow these steps to make artificial feed:
Choosing raw ingredients
Choose high-quality raw ingredients that contain nutrients needed by shrimp, such as protein. You can use fish meal as animal-based protein or soybeans and fine bran as plant-based protein.
Processing ingredients
The process of grinding the ingredients into flour is intended to allow the shrimp to digest the feed thoroughly. You can use a grinding machine at this stage. Drying, roasting, then grinding are preferable methods for grains.
Mixing ingredients
Mix the feed ingredients manually or use a mixer until it becomes a dough. You can use tapioca flour or starch as a binder in the feed dough. Besides mixing the essential ingredients, you can add vitamins that the shrimp require, such as vitamin C and B complex.
Molding dough into pellets
You can use an extruder machine to help you mold the dough into pellets more easily. If your resources are still limited, you can mold the dough manually.
Drying the feed
Drying increases the feed's shelf life. Simply dry the molded feed in the sun. After that, place the feed in airtight plastic.
Conclusion
You can consider this method of making vannamei shrimp feed if you want to save operational costs. Making artificial feed is suitable for traditional to semi-intensive cultivation systems, but it is not suggested for intensive cultivation due to the need for more complex nutrients. It is also advisable to adjust feeding management to the age and needs of the shrimp in order to ensure its effectiveness.
To make it more optimal, record your daily feedings in JALA App, the shrimp farm management application from JALA. Feed records will help you identify whether the feeding is effective enough.
In addition to feeding, JALA App allows you to record other cultivation parameters, including water quality, sampling, shrimp mortality, and many more. Are you interested in giving it a try? Register now at app.jala.tech and download the mobile app from the Google Play or App Store!
