One of the rather interesting and lucrative businesses is crayfish breeding. Moreover, they are not engaged in large farms, but, as a rule, small home enterprises. With all the favorable conditions created for the reproduction, growth of crayfish and their further sale, it is possible not only to recoup your expenses over the season, but also to remain in a good plus. You can make very good money on such an interesting and profitable business. In the framework of this article, we will consider some basics and components of the process.
First you need to realize that the organization itself, which requires the cultivation of
crayfish, will amount to about 200,000 rubles
in monetary terms. It is worth noting immediately that this is the maximum amount for the proper registration of the habitat and the content of these animals.
The initial stage will be excavation of the pit for the pond and its further arrangement, if the finished one is not available. Having dug a pit, which, incidentally, should preferably occupy an area within 30-60 sq.m. (possible) and have a depth of 1-3 (up to 6) meters, you need to transgress to the direct arrangement of the relief of its coast and bottom. The latter is best covered with stone and slightly sprinkled with river sand, which will improve the conditions for feeding, mating and the general habitat of crayfish. Breeding crayfish in the pond also requires clay or similar shores. This is necessary for the construction of animal holes and breeding. As an alternative to clay, you can use a hollow brick as a coastal edge, with ready-made holes for holes. It is preferable to have not one, but several (3-4) cancer ponds, insuring yourself against the possible consequences of climatic or any other factors, as well as for economic reasons.
Breeding crayfish also requires the direct launch of their individuals in the pond for further breeding. For one described reservoir requires about 150-200 copies. The main thing is to choose good individuals for a divorce. It is also worth considering that in one season a cancer male can fertilize up to 4 females. The latter produce many eggs, but about 30 young crayfish emerge from the favorable brood of one female. So we have that the estimated increase in the cancer family in the pond is, according to conservative estimates, more than 4,500 per year (based on 160 females and 40 males). Thus, industrial
breeding of cancers at home is quite productive.
Having understood the arrangement of the habitat, you need to keep in mind some other important details of this business. Do not forget that breeding cancers still requires some care for the reservoir and proper feeding of arthropods. As for water care: it is necessary to change about 20-30% of its percent after 2-3 weeks. Such a small percentage of replacement is that the microclimate of the reservoir is very vulnerable, and the change of a significant amount of water leads to a violation of the living conditions of the crayfish, and therefore to their death.
The selection of food for cancers is not particularly difficult, but it must be regular (once every two days) in order to stop cancer cannibalism, which is often among these arthropods. Under favorable conditions and plentiful nutrition, the cancerous individual reaches marketable size in 3-5 years. Directly feed them preferably with earthworms, it is cheap and does not lead to clogging of the pond. But as food for crayfish, you can use meat, bread, larvae, fish, etc.
Regarding the period of cancer reproduction, this is approximately February-March or October-November, depending on the latitude of the reservoir, climatic and other natural conditions.
Thus, crayfish breeding is a very cost-effective business. But it is worth taking care in advance of marketing the products and collecting the necessary permits (if required) by the competent authorities.