Breeding crayfish in a pond at the dacha brings profit due to the stable demand for the product and the complete absence of competition from the state. Organizing a business based on crayfish cultivation does not require large financial investments or solving complex organizational issues. The main thing is to create crustaceans the necessary conditions for normal life and reproduction. This publication will answer questions about growing and selling crayfish.
In order to create a farm for breeding crayfish on summer cottage, you need a reservoir with certain conditions, food and the required number of individuals.
- In nature, crayfish live in reservoirs with a sandy-rocky bottom and clayey banks. This is important for the movement of crustaceans and the ability to create burrows.
- For normal life of crayfish, water exchange must take place at least 2 times a month.
- In nature, strong individuals eat the weak. This also applies to offspring, which, after separation from the mother, are in great danger. Therefore, when organizing a farm for breeding crayfish, provide several reservoirs or one, divided by a grid into sectors.
To breed crayfish in a pond at your dacha, organize three or four artificial reservoirs with gentle banks. Fill the bottom with large crushed stone, where young individuals will find shelter. To renew water, ponds must be equipped with water supply and discharge systems.
Feed
Crayfish are omnivores. In nature, 70% of their diet consists of plant foods. The remaining 30% consists of: larvae, worms, insects, etc. For home breeding, crustacean food includes: vegetables, porridge, bread, meat (carrion). To prevent cannibalism and create normal conditions for growth, you need to strictly adhere to daily nutritional standards: 2% of body weight.
The task of a beginning “crayfish farmer” is to choose a cheap and at the same time high-calorie diet.
Individuals for reproduction (producers)
In nature, the population density of a reservoir with crustaceans is 5-7 individuals per 1 m2. When breeding crayfish in a pond at the dacha, the planting density increases to 9 units per 1 m2. Experts recommend purchasing 100 females and 50 males to start with. Arthropods mate once a year, usually in September-October. Young individuals separate from their mother after 6-7 months.
Pay attention to the choice of crustacean breed. Experts recommend that beginning “crayfish farmers” purchase the following types of arthropods:
- Cuban blue. Unpretentious to diet and quality of water supply. A breed of crayfish that is characterized by a quick time to reach marketable weight.
- Long-fingered. A prolific species that breeds in artificial reservoirs. Particularly popular among entrepreneurs.
- Red swamp. Small in size, maximally adapted to artificial keeping of individuals.
You can purchase crayfish for breeding at most fish farms in Russia. The cost depends on the breed and batch. The average price of one unit of brood is 3-5 USD.
Initial costs for purchasing manufacturers will not exceed 500 USD.
Breeding and keeping crayfish
After you have obtained the initial knowledge necessary for breeding crayfish in a pond at your dacha, proceed.
Arrangement of reservoirs
As mentioned above, first organize three bodies of water. The recommended area of each is 30-50 m2. The depth of the pond is 1 meter (in the middle of the reservoir) with a gentle rise towards the banks. The banks are covered with crushed stone and broken natural stone to a depth of 0.5 m. Vegetation should be planted along the edges of the banks to create shade, which crustaceans love.
- One pond is a “nursery” or “feeding” pond. This is a kind of nursery where the female breeds offspring, which grow in it until winter.
- The second one is wintering. This reservoir is intended for raising young animals that have not reached marketable weight in winter period.
- The third is a pond where adult arthropods are deposited and, after the appearance of young ones, crustaceans hatch.
With proper organization and business, you will need another reservoir (the fourth), where sorted crayfish that have gained marketable weight are planted.
Simple drainage is organized through a water pipe with a valve and a mesh, through which even the smallest crayfish would not be able to leave the pond. The reservoir is filled with water through a garden hose. The task of water exchange is to enrich water with oxygen (norm 5-7 mg/l) and hydrogen (norm 7-9 mg/l), as well as maintaining the temperature characteristics necessary for normal life and reproduction of crustaceans. Adult animals need water with a temperature of +18 - +21 C°; for young animals +21 - +24 C°.
Important! Water quality is essential for crayfish farming. It should not contain impurities, signs of coloring, free chlorine, hydrogen sulfide and methane.
Features of reproduction and growth of crustaceans
Everything is ready for breeding crayfish in the pond at the dacha; reservoirs are equipped, producers are acquired and launched. When to expect ?
After two to three months, the crustaceans will begin to mate. The fertilized eggs are first located under the female's shell. After some time, the eggs are laid and secured under the mother’s tail, where they remain until the larvae hatch. This process takes two months. The young are protected for another three to four weeks, after which the young crustaceans leave the “shelter.” To prevent eating young animals, it is recommended to remove adult animals immediately. Precisely adults, since it is difficult for young crustaceans to get used to a new habitat.
One pair produces an offspring of 30-50 pieces. young animals per year. In the first 12 months of life, the crayfish molts eight times. During this period, he is vulnerable to his relatives and diseases. Adults molt no more than 2 times a year.
Feeding adult and young crayfish is different. For young crustaceans, food is thrown directly into the pond. It sinks to the bottom, where it is eaten by the population. In ponds with breeders, food is placed on special trays. You can feed the crayfish once every two days.
Important! Overfeeding is extremely harmful to arthropods. It causes illness and death of the entire population.
The crayfish farming business is a slow process. The crayfish reaches marketable weight (from caviar to commercial specimen) in three years, so a novice crayfish farmer should not expect quick profits.
Payback of a business for breeding crayfish in a pond at the dacha
It's no secret that the main goal of any business is to make a profit. The option of breeding crayfish in a pond at the dacha is no exception. That is why competent calculations are so important when organizing it.
The cost of developing three reservoirs will amount to 30 thousand rubles. Purchase of manufacturers – 15 thousand rubles. The cost of feeding depends on the diet, so each entrepreneur calculates the investment independently. Include utility costs for water supply to artificial reservoirs.
It is recommended for a novice entrepreneur to start a business with 150 crayfish per pond. Three reservoirs – 450 units. The average weight of commercial crayfish is 300 grams. One pair will give birth to 30 young crustaceans. In total, during the season, 300 animals will produce 9 thousand units. The output is 2.7 tons of crustaceans. Today their average purchase price is 300 rubles. per kg. If only one offspring is sold, the amount of income will be 810 thousand rubles. or 67,500 rub. per month.
The starting investment in organizing a business for breeding crayfish in a pond at the dacha is 45 thousand rubles. – 61.5 thousand rubles.
When building a business on crayfish breeding, we will cover the topic of diseases that will destroy the entire population of arthropods and negate the efforts of the entrepreneur.
Diseases of crustaceans are of infectious and invasive origin. Main causes of death:
- non-compliance with temperature indicators and water composition
- a lot of food
- oxygen starvation and insufficient cleanliness of water bodies
Helps prevent stagnation of water in a pond air compressor. The use of modern filters will allow timely removal of waste products of crustaceans, which will create a favorable habitat for them. The problem of oxygen starvation is solved by purchasing and installing an oxidizer.
Raising crayfish is only half the battle. It is necessary to solve the problem with the sale of products. As a rule, retail stores, numerous restaurants and public catering outlets are interested in supplying this product. The only thing that a novice “crayfish farmer” should pay attention to is obtaining the necessary sanitary and hygienic documents.
Crayfish farming as a business is distinguished by small investments and fairly serious profits. The absence of difficulties in organizing a farm and competition among the masses of entrepreneurs makes it attractive to the average owner of a country plot who does not want to use the dacha, only for growing vegetables. In parallel with the cultivation of crustaceans, fish of non-predatory species can be introduced into the ponds, which will not compete with arthropods for food and territory. But this type of business is lack of competition. With proper organization of his business, an entrepreneur will experience inevitable success.
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Crayfish farming is a very interesting and profitable business. It does not bring quick profits, but after 2-3 years the income from this business becomes tangible and permanent, and production does not require a lot of time and money. The most significant are the initial costs.
Where to begin? Initial costs
All initial costs consist of constructing ponds and purchasing crayfish.
Construction of ponds
The most important thing is to prepare suitable reservoirs for crayfish. They can live even in a small pond measuring 5x10 meters. The depth of the pond can be from 2 to 6 or more meters. A two-meter pond can be dug in a few days even without the use of equipment. Crayfish reproduce well in shallow waters, so if you want to reduce initial costs, then this is your option.
If you want to increase the volume of the pond, use an excavator and make it deeper. For crayfish, depth is not so important; the bottom is much more important to them, so that they can make their holes in it. A dense sandy or clay bottom with limestone admixtures is best suited for this.
It is very important that the water in artificial reservoir must be clean and flowing. Therefore, it is necessary to supply water to the pond, as well as organize drainage. The drain pipe is covered with a mesh that will trap crayfish.
River plants such as hornwort, elodea and chara can be planted along the edges of the pond. Crayfish also like to hide in roots or snags, so to breed them faster, you can set up your pond as naturally as possible.
The pond should not completely freeze in winter so that the animals in it can remain alive. Therefore, in colder regions it is important to arrange a wintering pit deeper than the pond itself and to provide aeration in it. If you decide to organize crayfish breeding in Siberian conditions, then you may need to organize light heating of the water in the wintering pit.
But most often crayfish are bred in warmer regions. Such a pond can be dug even on a personal plot or arranged next to a river, but then it must be protected.
That's all the simple structure you need for your farm. Breeding crayfish in 3-5 such reservoirs can already provide a stable income, and you can organize your own small home business.
Where to get crayfish for breeding
Crayfish breeding can begin with 500-700 individuals. You can catch crayfish, and then you will get them for free. Can be purchased from other similar crayfish farms certain type.
European and Far Eastern crayfish are common in Russia. Far Eastern ones are most often found on Sakhalin and the Amur region. European crayfish are most often used for industrial and household purposes. They include two species - broad-toed and long-toed. Broad-toed is considered the most valuable species. It is its abdomen that is called the “cancerous neck” in cooking. But this species is listed in the Red Book, so it is better to breed long-toed crayfish. You will not have any problems with them, since there will be no questions from inspection authorities about where you got the individuals for breeding. Catching broad-clawed crayfish is not prohibited everywhere, but only in some areas of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Therefore, if your region does not belong to these areas, you can easily breed the broad-toed species.
Crayfish of different species never live together in the same body of water; take this into account when breeding.
The long-fingered crayfish reproduces very quickly, its females lay from 110 to 400 eggs, not all of them survive, but in a year one female individual produces an increase of more than 30 crayfish. Reproduction of crayfish occurs most successfully at a water temperature of 17-18⁰С degrees, although adult crayfish feel good in more cold water(up to +4⁰С) and warmer (up to +28⁰С). Unlike the broad-fingered species, the long-fingered crayfish is active all year round; it can be caught not only in the warm season, but also in winter. But in colder regions, all types of crayfish hibernate during the winter, so this business is much more profitable for the southern regions, or, at least, for the middle zone.
There are also river and lake crayfish. River crayfish are most often smaller, and lake crayfish are valuable blue crayfish, which can also be bred at home. In the northern regions there are farms equipped with large aquariums in which the water temperature is maintained at a given temperature. When planting individuals for reproduction in a reservoir, you must adhere to the following density: 1-5 pieces. per 1 sq. m.
What and how to feed crayfish
In nature, crayfish feed on algae, zooplankton, insects, worms, mollusks, small crustaceans, even young fish. Crayfish of all types have developed cannibalism, so if you keep them in an artificial reservoir, they must be fed every few days. For good calcium metabolism and hardening of the shell, crayfish need algae.
Feed should be placed in special trays measuring 40x40 cm or slightly larger. If the water temperature is above +7°C, you can place vegetables, shellfish, meat, and earthworms in the trays. Make sure there is enough food, but not too much. If there is not enough of it, the crayfish may begin to fight and lose their claws in the fight, which means they will lose their marketable appearance. More food than necessary quickly pollutes the water body. If you are afraid that additional feeding will cause the water to bloom, then feed the crayfish with earthworms; they do not pollute the water as much.
When can you catch crayfish?
If you added crayfish to the pond at the beginning of spring, then in June you can already expect the appearance of the first stage larvae. After the young shoots (fingerlings weighing 7-10 g) go through the second moult, they need to be caught and transplanted into a special breeding pond. A warm winter must be arranged in this pond. Beginning farms can also catch fingerlings to get their first profit, but if you are willing to wait, you can grow them to at least 1-2 years of age.
One-year-old crayfish can also be caught and transplanted into special feeding ponds. The planting density in them is less than in previous reservoirs. Here the crayfish gain mass. After approximately 2-3 years in the feeding pond, the crayfish reaches a weight of 40-50 g and a size of up to 10 cm. It is these individuals that are subject to capture and commercial sale.
How to catch
You can catch crayfish with special fishing rods, nets and crayfish. Catching takes place from mid-summer to November. The best catch is obtained in warm, rainy weather. summer nights. You can also catch crayfish by draining water from a pond. But in this case, younger crayfish may die and the breeding process in the pond will stop.
Difficulties and features of crayfish breeding
The most difficult part is monitoring water quality. It is important that it is sufficiently saturated with oxygen, which should be at least 5-7 mg per 1 liter of water. Crayfish also need hydrogen - at least 7-9 mg per 1 liter of water. It is important to check the composition of the water and the presence of minerals - calcium, silicon. Without them, crayfish will not harden their shells or will do so very slowly. In order to have enough minerals, you need to plant algae at the bottom of the pond or periodically feed the crayfish with it. The water exchange rate should be about 50 l/min per 1 thousand square meters. m of pond surface.
Not favorable conditions keeping a dirty pond can lead to crayfish diseases. The most dangerous diseases are plague, rusty spot and porcelain diseases. They reduce the fertility of crayfish, spoil their appearance and can lead to the extinction of individuals in the pond. These are all infectious and invasive diseases that can be diagnosed by a veterinarian. To avoid infecting all individuals in the reservoir with them, place crayfish newly caught in rivers in a special pond for quarantine.
Calculations
So, in order for you to grow about 1 ton of crayfish over 2-3 years, you will need about 600 individuals. Breeding crayfish requires mainly initial costs. They will amount to about 50,000 rubles. for the purchase of young animals and about 120,000 for the equipment of ponds.
Thus, the initial costs do not exceed 200,000 rubles. After 2 years, you can earn about 1 million rubles. These are very rough estimates. Revenue in this business depends on sales prices. The most successful way of implementation is to conclude supply agreements with restaurants, cafes and supermarkets. To increase sales, you can hold special “beer and crayfish” days or “how to eat crayfish” events once a month in the restaurants where you supply crayfish. This way, you can increase the expected profit from this project.
In the current economic conditions, a novice entrepreneur has every chance to successfully start his own business. It is important to set priorities correctly and choose the area of application of your strength.
It’s worth taking a close look at this type of business, crayfish farming, which is a very interesting area. According to static data, there is an increase in consumption of this product, while supply remains limited.
Prospects
The bulk of arthropods on the market are caught from natural bodies of water, which leads to a significant decrease in their population. Industrial farming of crayfish in our country is extremely poorly developed.
Thus, competition in this segment is relatively low. The upward trend in demand for this type of product remains unchanged, which helps maintain prices at a fairly high level.
Like any business, crayfish breeding will require initial investments, the volume of which is determined by the scale of the plans. Before making a responsible decision to open your own business, you study technology, experience of organizing a business at other enterprises, and other issues.
After a comprehensive analysis of your capabilities and preliminary calculations a final decision is made and a plan is drawn up preparatory activities.
Video - video of Sevan Crayfish LLC, which supplies live crayfish in Krasnodar:
Preparation of a business plan
Middle lane and southern regions our country are a natural habitat for crayfish, the breeding of which is also possible in artificial conditions.
The habitat of arthropods is water bodies with sufficient clean water, rocky bottom and sandy shores.
Crustacean farming is carried out:
- in natural ponds, lakes or rivers;
- in reservoirs of artificial origin;
- in specially equipped aquariums.
Each of the options listed above has a number of features and will require different costs to launch the project.
The simplest option is the first, where the initial investment will be minimal, however, the profit will be much smaller. The explanation for this is quite simple: for the correct and rapid development of crayfish, special environmental conditions will be required. The temperature in winter drops and water bodies freeze, while the optimal temperature for this process is about +16 C.
The best conditions for breeding crayfish can be created in aquariums, but the latter have serious limitations in volume. This option will require the greatest costs for the purchase of a whole complex of equipment, rental of premises of a sufficiently large area equipped with a heating system.
Medium in terms of cost - an artificial pond for breeding crayfish, located near the river.
In addition to the pond, you will need young animals or larvae, food, materials for arrangement, etc. Entrepreneur starting out this type business, you can’t count on a quick return on investment.
Practice and statistics show that the return on investment occurs approximately 5-7 years from the start of the project and reaching the planned level of production.
Organization of a crayfish farm
The first step is to attend to the registration of the newly created enterprise. One of the most common legal forms of business organization in our country is. The easiest option for creating an enterprise is to contact a law firm, where they will prepare a package of necessary documents for a relatively small fee.
The scope of activity in accordance with the legal framework of OKVED has code 0.121 - breeding and sale of crustaceans, fish and mollusks. When organizing an LLC, the authorized capital of the enterprise is contributed, minimum size– 10 thousand rubles. The company being created is registered in tax office and in all extra-budgetary funds. After which you can begin business activities.
The next stage is the selection of a suitable reservoir for breeding crayfish and its improvement. This is a responsible process that determines the success of the entire enterprise; the main thing depends on the quality of implementation of this stage, whether favorable conditions will be created for the life and reproduction of arthropods.
Experts recommend: covering the bottom of the pond with a special polymer film, which reliably isolates the reservoir from harmful substances from the soil entering it. The material is highly durable and will last for correct installation at least 25 years.
The next step in organizing a farm will be purchasing the necessary equipment for breeding crayfish. The complete set includes:
Experienced entrepreneurs set up a system of three or more reservoirs that communicate with each other. This contributes to an increase in the production of crustaceans and better selection of species. To reduce the impact of the external environment, a polycarbonate greenhouse-type ceiling is installed over the reservoirs.
As the reservoirs are ready, larvae or young crustaceans are purchased, as well as feed in calculated quantities. Best Execution preparatory activities will create best conditions for starting, and subsequently developing, a business.
Where to buy crayfish for breeding
The current practice in our country involves certain difficulties in acquiring required quantity living material for colonizing water bodies.
Existing farms are extremely reluctant to sell larvae or young animals. A way out of the situation may be to purchase adult individuals based on the ratio of two females to one male. Mating of crustaceans occurs in the fall; a fertilized female is easily identified by the presence of eggs in a special sac under the tail.
The climatic conditions of the middle zone are quite acceptable for different types of arthropods. One of the promising species is the Australian red-clawed crayfish, the breeding of which can bring good income.
The meat of this type of arthropod is similar in taste and texture to sea lobster, one of the most expensive delicacies. Our country has experience in successfully breeding these crustaceans on a specialized farm near Astrakhan.
Video - experiments on growing Australian crayfish near Astrakhan:
The most accessible species of arthropods in our country are common crayfish. You can even purchase them in a supermarket, the main thing is that they are alive and healthy.
To accurately answer the question of where to buy crayfish for breeding, you should carefully study the offers from working and developing farms.
IN Lately Near large cities, crayfish holding farms are being developed, which purchase crayfish from other regions and supply them to retail chains and restaurants.
Video report from a farm near St. Petersburg that supplies crayfish from different regions Russia and abroad:
Breeding technology
In the pond
In this section we are talking about an artificial reservoir, which needs careful preparation before starting the livestock. In addition to preparing the bottom, a number of operations are performed:
- A protective edge is built around the pond and followed by outside drainage drain. This is necessary to prevent rain runoff and debris from entering the reservoir.
- Trees are planted along the banks, one of the most best views- weeping willow, which will create shade.
- It is necessary to provide different depths of the pond: near the shore - about 0.4 m, in the middle up to 3 m.
The maximum permissible number of adult crayfish per square meter of pond area should not exceed 5 units. Before populating the drained reservoir, it is filled, after which the water is allowed to settle for at least two weeks, and preferably one month.
Once the reservoir is ready, instrumental monitoring of water quality for nitrate content is carried out; for arthropods, exceeding the maximum permissible doses is detrimental.
If the pond is properly arranged, crayfish do not need additional feeding; there is enough plankton, algae or larvae in the water.
To accelerate the growth of individuals, complementary feeding is carried out with vegetable scraps, mixed feed, meat and fish waste, as well as cereals soaked in water. Complementary feeding is carried out using special bottom devices, which are removed from the water after a certain time.
This avoids contamination of the pond water, which can have a detrimental effect on the livestock and lead to the death of some of it. Strict adherence to the recommendations of specialists and the use of a full range of equipment to maintain optimal conditions for the life of crayfish will allow you to quickly achieve good results.
In special aquariums
In artificially created environmental conditions, it is quite possible to achieve year-round growth of arthropods. To maintain them, specially designed tanks with a capacity of at least 250 liters are required.
The bottom of the tank is filled with sand mixed with stones, driftwood is laid on them, which serve as natural shelters for crayfish during the period of gestation and laying eggs.
Crustaceans are extremely sensitive to water quality, and the aquariums used must meet very stringent requirements. Firstly, the possibility of contact of water with the metal of the frame must be excluded. Secondly, the tank must be equipped with a water supply system from the bottom. Thirdly, the installation of filtration, aeration and water oxidation systems will be required.
Two plots before moving in, the aquariums are filled with water and plants are planted in the ground. After which the crayfish are lowered into the tank, there should be at least 5 liters of water per individual.
The technology for breeding crayfish in artificial conditions involves keeping ornamental breeds like Cuban blues. They are a great decoration home aquarium, however, before starting activities you need to take care of a little marketing research. The agreement with large pet stores will facilitate the accelerated sale of grown products.
At home
This type of business can be done at home on a relatively small scale. To organize such a thing the best way technology will do home breeding crayfish in pools or aquariums.
Each of the proposed options has its own specifics and will require the investment of certain amounts to purchase everything necessary and carry out a number of construction works.
The organization of arthropod breeding in aquariums is described above and there is no point in repeating it. Let us dwell on the technology of growing crayfish in specially equipped pools at the dacha or on a site near a country house.
At the stage preliminary preparation it is necessary to evaluate the possibilities land plot for the placement of an artificial reservoir with an area of at least 30 square meters. m and the productivity of the water source.
For home breeding of crayfish, you will need not the usual rectangular pool with a flat bottom and vertical walls, but a reservoir with slightly different parameters.
Requirements for an artificial pond:
- The most rational shape is a circle or oval with a diameter of 6 to 10 m; the bottom should look like a bowl with a maximum depth of 1.5-2 m in its center.
- The bottom must be lined with a special film.
- The pool is equipped with all systems that ensure circulation, purification and oxygenation of water.
- Set up along the edge of the pool drainage system for drainage of storm water.
- Devices are installed around the artificial reservoir to provide shade to the coastal areas.
Such a pool for breeding crayfish can be dug manually yourself or with the help of professional diggers. The amount of work is quite significant, but quite manageable.
The bottom of the pool is filled up river sand and stones and snags are scattered across it. Among other things, it is installed necessary equipment. The presence of a ceiling and water heating systems in winter will increase the productivity of the pond.
Crustaceans grow and reproduce faster in artificially created conditions. This can be explained quite simply: arthropods do not hibernate and the process of reproduction of offspring is significantly accelerated.
The presence of several ponds, at least three, and preferably four to five, per site makes it possible to increase the yield of finished products.
Breeding crayfish in a country house will help you gain invaluable experience and become familiar with the technology.
Organizing crayfish breeding at home is usually only the first step towards creating a farm. Having tested the technologies and methods of growing gourmet products in relatively small volumes, and having acquired the necessary experience, it will be possible to think about expanding the business. This business approach will help avoid significant losses in future endeavors.
The article deliberately did not provide examples, in different regions they can be very different.
The main thing is that crayfish farming as a business is a fairly promising business that promises a high level of profitability. When organizing and preparing a project for launch, it is important to take the recommendations of specialists carefully and responsibly.
Video - how crayfish farming occurs in Louisiana:
The article is unique material, based on the author’s method of intensive cultivation of crayfish in the conditions of central and northern Russia. This extensive business manual includes a complete list of equipment, detailed plan organization of a crayfish farm, a list of permits, an intensive method of crayfish breeding, as well as information on investment and expected profit.
- The first is creation of artificial reservoirs, with total area 920m². One part of the reservoirs (320m²) will be completely covered, with non-freezing all year round water, the other part of the ponds (600 m²) will be open for growing crayfish in natural conditions.
- The second is mastering the intensive method of growing crayfish, which includes: species selection and breeding, feed composition and feeding, monitoring of aquatic environment parameters and farm maintenance.
- The third is creation of a distribution network, which includes all kinds of sales channels, proper catching and transportation of live crayfish.
As a result, taking as a basis the information presented below on growing crayfish, the owner of the farm receives up to 30 centners of finished products per year, with an average cost of 500 rubles. for 1 kg.
What is the essence of the intensive method of growing crayfish and the relevance of the business idea?
According to the latest research on the market of crustaceans and mollusks in Russia from 2012, the main suppliers of this beloved delicacy are Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Altai and Krasnodar territories. Moreover, the share of imported crayfish from Altai and Kuban is very small, since crustaceans are harvested naturally, and the quality of the supplied batches is low.
And it would seem that the situation is completely favorable for growing crayfish industrially, where the total volume of production can be maximized and sold at the best prices. For example, as 2,000 farms do in the state of Louisiana (USA), receiving up to 50 thousand tons of crayfish per year and earning about 100 million dollars. Or partially in Ukraine, where the number of crayfish grown in artificial reservoirs is close to 10 tons.
However, the problem lies in biological features breeding crayfish, which in natural conditions grow for a very long time, gaining marketable weight by 4-5 years of life. That is, in middle lane and in the north of Russia they do not grow at all for 5-7 months and partially hibernate. Moreover, industrial equipment, which is used in Europe and the USA to obtain marketable crayfish in a short period of time, is ineffective in Russia, since huge amounts of money will have to be spent to heat the crayfish breeding hangars.
Therefore, to the question: "What to do?" we get prime and effective solution: use a method based on growing crayfish in indoor ponds and reservoirs, which gives the entrepreneur a number of advantages:
- Obtaining the first batch of commercial crayfish in just 1.5 years, where each individual individual can reach a weight of 300 grams, with a wholesale cost of 500 rubles. for 1 kg!
- The sales problem has been completely resolved, since this type of product is in constant and increased demand among bars, restaurants and similar establishments, including high demand in retail trade.
- Lack of competition and the ability to influence pricing on the local market through the supply of truly high-quality products.
Organizational and legal forms of management
Registration of an individual as is mandatory conditions to create a crawfish farm. For crayfish farming as a type of business, the status of owner of a private household plot will not be suitable here, since in the future you will have to issue a certificate of conformity for this product. And receiving this document within the framework of an individual entrepreneur greatly simplifies this task.
OKVED and tax form
According to the All-Russian Classifier of Economic Activities (OKVED), breeding crayfish in artificial ponds falls under economic activity with the following wording: “Reproduction of fish and aquatic biological resources by agricultural producers,” with code number: 02/05/01. Accordingly, an entrepreneur engaged in a similar type of business is automatically classified as an agricultural producer, and can choose (Unified Agricultural Tax) as a form of taxation.
List of documents for opening a crab farming farm
In order to open a crab-breeding farm on your plot of land, you do not need to obtain any licenses or go through a whole series of approvals from various authorities. For this purpose, it is enough to meet a few simple conditions, which we will consider in more detail.
Regulations regulating the work of a crayfish farm:
So, based on paragraph 1 of Article 40 of the Land Code of the Russian Federation, the owner of the land plot has the full right to build a pond, as well as use it for his own purposes, subject to compliance with urban planning, environmental and sanitary standards and rules.
And here the phrase “owner of the land plot” is of key importance. That is, the future owner of the farm must own this plot of land, and not use it on a leasehold basis. Otherwise, to build a reservoir, you will have to go through a long process of obtaining various permits from various authorities.
Based on paragraph 2 of Article 8 of the Water Code of the Russian Federation, a pond or other flooded body of water located on the territory of the owner’s land plot is his full property.
The main thing is that the pond or ponds are not connected to natural water bodies, which, in accordance with the same Water Code of the Russian Federation, belong to federal property.
In accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Fisheries and Conservation of Aquatic Biological Resources”, any aquatic biological resources living in such a pond are the property of its owner.
It is worth adding to this that, according to the federal law “On Subsoil”, the depth of the pond should be no more than 5 m. Therefore, this point should be taken into account when constructing reservoirs.
List of documents for the sale of live crayfish
In the future, for the sale of live crayfish to both legal and individuals(shops, etc.), you will need 4 types of documents:
- Sanitary passport for vehicles used for transporting crayfish.
- Veterinary certificate form No. 2.
- Declaration of Conformity.
- Mandatory certification according to GOST R 50380-2005.
The first two documents, a sanitary passport and a veterinary certificate, are obtained at the local veterinary station. The procedure for obtaining documents and their validity periods must be clarified on site. As for the declaration of conformity and product certification, they are issued by accredited bodies, for example, the local branch of Rosselkhoznadzor or commercial organizations.
Organization of a crab farm
Land plot
From the above, it becomes clear that to build a crab farming farm, you need a plot of land that is owned. The plot for the farm itself must meet certain requirements:
- Land area - from 2000 m² (20 acres).
- Availability of convenient access for heavy equipment (excavator).
- Maximum smooth surface.
- The plot of land should not fall into a flood zone.
Layout of ponds on the farm
To understand how to properly use a plot of land for a crab farming farm and according to what scheme to locate the ponds, it is necessary to consider this point using a separate example.
Let's say there is a plot of land 25 m wide and 100 m long, i.e. 25 acres. On one side of the plot, for example, on the left, covered ponds will be built in the amount of 10 pieces. measuring 4x8m, located in length from east to west, with a distance between them of 3m. On the other side of the site, already open ponds will be built, also in the amount of 10 pieces, located from east to west, measuring 6x10m, with a distance between them of 3m.
A natural question arises: “What is the purpose of indoor and outdoor ponds?”
These are the indoor ponds designed for growing crayfish using the intensive method. Due to special equipment and polycarbonate coating, the water in such reservoirs will not freeze even in the most very coldy. Accordingly, crayfish will not go into suspended animation, will constantly feed, molt every 2 months and gain weight very quickly.
Two of the ten indoor ponds are intended for permanent housing of adult females and males. Two more ponds will serve as incubators of sorts, while the remaining indoor ponds will be used to raise fingerlings.
But 10 larger open ponds will be used for growing crayfish in natural conditions.
- What is it for?
- Firstly, covering all 20 ponds with polycarbonate is very expensive.
- Secondly, the presence of open reservoirs allows for more rational use of a plot of land.
- Thirdly, these open ponds will give the entrepreneur the opportunity to obtain a rich assortment of products. That is, crayfish different sizes and weight corresponding to the cost.
Well, in the future, as production develops, all ponds can be transferred to indoor mode and completely switch to intensive crayfish breeding methods.
Pond requirements
The pond must meet the following requirements:
- The shape of the pond is strictly rectangular.
- The side walls of the pond are smooth and at an angle of 90° to the bottom.
- The bottom of the pond is flat, with a given bearing capacity.
- The depth of the pond is at least 2 m.
- Pond lining is polypropylene sheets with a thickness of 8mm.
— Why is it better to use polypropylene sheets for lining a pond?
For example, if the lining of a pond pit is carried out classical ways, i.e. Using reinforced concrete or wood, the likelihood of water pollution increases sharply. This is especially true for reinforced concrete structures, which tend to react chemically with water. Wood is also not recommended for use as lining for pond walls. Firstly, it rots quickly, and secondly, the construction of walls made of wood and their subsequent replacement is too expensive.
After the pond frame is installed, a layer of large stones or broken stones is poured onto the bottom. ceramic bricks 20 cm thick. Cover the top with a layer of coarse sand 10 cm thick and then fill the pond with clean water. This bottom layering will serve as a kind of shelter for the crayfish and at the same time become the basis for aquatic vegetation.
Equipment for crab farming
Equipped ponds are the basis of a crayfish breeding business, through which the production stage of the plan is implemented. It is known that freshwater crustaceans are very demanding on living conditions, especially on water quality. In this connection, the presence of ponds alone is not enough for successful breeding of crayfish and they must be equipped with appropriate equipment.
Pond cover
An ordinary polycarbonate-based greenhouse serves as a thermal insulation structure that will maintain the water temperature in the ponds within the specified parameters. And here you can use two options:
- The first is to convert an ordinary greenhouse into one, where there is a huge solar collector will easily warm up all the water in the pond. Such a greenhouse is perfect for breeding crayfish in the northern regions of Russia.
- The second is to take advantage of them, which, due to their large dimensions, capture and transmit a lot of sunlight and heat.
Pond frame
As mentioned above, it is better to make the frame of the pond from polypropylene sheets. This material is absolutely neutral to the aquatic environment, and with the help of polyfusion welding, polypropylene sheets are easily and quickly connected to each other, forming a durable, waterproof structure.
Aerator
If you do not install an aerator of a given power in the pond, also known as an air compressor, then within a couple of months the pond water will stagnate, turn green, and no one will survive in it except mosquito larvae and other insect life.
Oxidizer
An oxidizer is necessary to saturate pond water with oxygen. Special meaning this device is purchased at winter time years when open ponds will become covered with ice and crayfish may lack oxygen. The oxidizer is installed on the bottom of the pond in late autumn and, using a cassette with dry hydrogen peroxide, gradually enriches the under-ice water with oxygen.
Flow filter
To maintain high vital activity of crayfish, you need to install a filtration system. Over time, the bottom of the reservoir, like the water, becomes contaminated with food residues and waste products of crustaceans and other organisms, which release toxic substances into the water. And if such a system is not installed in advance, production volumes will drop sharply.
Measuring instruments
Since the quality of water, as well as its temperature, plays a decisive role in breeding crayfish, to control its parameters it is necessary to use the following devices:
- Oximeter - measures the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water.
- Salinity meter - determines the level of salts in water and similar substances, and also gives an assessment of the overall hardness of the water.
- Conductometer - measures the electrical conductivity of water, on the basis of which the effectiveness of cleaning systems is checked.
Table 1. A complete list of equipment for a 1100 m² crawfish farm.
| Photo | Name of equipment | Purpose of the equipment | Cost in rub. for 1 piece or 1m². | Required quantity in pcs. or sq. m. | Total cost in rub. |
 | Construction of a pond frame | ||||
 | Enrichment of water with oxygen | ||||
 | Enrichment of subglacial water with oxygen | ||||
| Water purification | |||||
 | Measuring oxygen in water | ||||
 | Determination of water hardness | ||||
 | Determining the level of water pollution | ||||
| Total: 2 million 913 thousand rubles. |
|||||
Note. This figure of 3 million rubles required for equipment should not be taken as a mandatory component of the initial investment. After all, the general infrastructure of the crayfish farming industry does not have a rigid relationship. Let’s say you can equip 2-3 indoor ponds and then, using the profit received, gradually develop the enterprise.
Breeding and feeding crayfish
— What type of crayfish is suitable for artificial breeding?
Long-fingered crayfish is best suited for breeding in artificial ponds.
This type of crustacean is ubiquitous in water bodies of central Russia. It is the least demanding of conditions and, with good care, quickly gains marketable weight. Cases have been recorded when captured record-breaking crayfish reached a length of 35 cm and weighed up to 700 grams!
But the problem is different: where can I get the required number of long-toed crayfish? It makes no sense to buy live crayfish from Kazakh or Altai suppliers, since the crayfish they import belong to different species, and their very condition upon arrival at the place of transportation leaves much to be desired. There are no specialized crab breeding farms in Russia. Therefore, there is only one way out - to independently catch viable and healthy individuals.
But how many crayfish need to be caught and at what time of year it is best to do this directly depends on the density of adult crayfish per 1 m² and the characteristics of their reproduction.
Stocking density of adult female and male crayfish
Table 2. Chemical indicators of water for keeping adult crayfish and juveniles.
If it is initially not possible to determine water indicators, then crayfish are placed at the bottom of the pond at the rate of 3 pcs/1 m².
Reproduction of crayfish
In its natural habitat, the Long-fingered crayfish mates in October-November, at a water temperature of 4-6 degrees, and only in late spring, when the water warms up to 15°C, do female crayfish begin to spawn. Based on this, we draw a simple conclusion: crayfish for breeding must be caught in August-September, before the mating period, and according to the scheme of the crayfish breeding farm, their number will be 384 pieces, where 256 pieces. there will be females and 128 pieces. males. That is, to properly place all the caught crayfish, you will need 2 indoor reservoirs.
After the required number of crayfish has been caught, the most important process begins - reproduction. And here, thanks to the non-freezing pond water, mating of females occurs not in late autumn, but in early spring, sometimes in the month of February. Accordingly, this process needs to be monitored and controlled.
- How to do it?
The first sign that the crayfish are ready to mate or have already begun to do so is the water temperature - 4-6°C. The second sign by which the fertilization of eggs is determined is the presence of a white hardened mass of spermatophores in the lower part of the female’s cephalothorax. When the number of such females increases during control catches, they are caught and transferred to a separate incubator pond, while monitoring all phases of spawning, egg maturation and stages of fry development.
In a more condensed form, the entire reproduction process looks like this:
- The mating time for females is February-March.
- Spawning occurs at a water temperature of 14-15 degrees Celsius.
- Maturation of eggs from spawning to the eye stage takes 7-10 days at optimal temperature 21-24 degrees.
- The first stage of fry after hatching is 1-7 days.
- The second stage of fry after hatching is 5-8, then the first molt occurs, and the crustaceans begin active feeding.
- The third stage of fry after hatching is 14-20 days. Juveniles are completely similar to adults and can feed independently and do without the care of their mother.
Advice. To quickly lower or raise the temperature of water in a reservoir, it is enough to increase or decrease its volume.
As a result, from the period of spawning to the receipt of viable juveniles, about a month passes. During this time, the female crayfish is capable of carrying 40-50 fry in her underbelly. After which the females are caught again and transferred to their old place. And the crustaceans, as they grow, are gradually distributed among free ponds in accordance with the planting norm.
Food and feeding of crayfish
Table 3. Feed recipes for the entire age category of crayfish in % ratio.
Note. Some expensive components, for example, fish, or can be completely replaced with fish or meat waste. But the percentage of meat and fish waste needs to be doubled in relation to their dry counterparts.
Feeding of crayfish is carried out in the morning or evening hours at the same time. The daily feed rate is 0.2% of the total wet weight of crayfish. For females during the spawning period, this rate increases by 0.7% and by the end of the month decreases to 0.3%. Aquatic flora and fauna, which include algae, river plankton, and insect larvae, play an important role in the diet of crayfish. Therefore, ponds need to be “populated” and “planted” with similar living creatures and plants in advance.
For more accurate calculations of feed supply rates, we present practical example.
So, we have an indoor pond with an area of 32 m², in which there are 192 yearlings of the year. (6pcs/m²). Their total weight will be about 30 kg (150g per individual). One percent of 30kg will be 0.3kg, and 0.2% of 0.3kg will be only 60g of feed. This is the meager daily norm for feeding feed. At the same time, a batch of live crayfish weighing 30 kg, according to the most conservative estimates, will cost 8-9 thousand rubles. And in a year, such a number of crayfish will eat no more than 25 kg of feed.
How to quickly establish sales channels for live crayfish?
Another advantage of the intensive method of crayfish breeding is manifested in the process of their implementation. The owner of such a farm does not need to rack his brains over how to sell huge, multi-ton batches of live crayfish, which large fishing companies are constantly faced with.
It is enough to find several restaurants, bars or just a group of people willing to purchase such a valuable food product in advance. And subsequently, at any convenient time of the year, be it summer or winter, catch the required batch of crayfish, for example, 100-150 kg, and register a vet for them. certificate form 2 and calmly distribute them to catering outlets, which are unlikely to refuse to diversify their menu with freshly cooked crayfish.
Feasibility studies for starting a business
Capital investments *
- Costs for constructing ponds: RUB 300,000.
- Equipment and components for ponds: 2,913,000 thousand rubles.
- Purchase of land: 60,000 rubles.
- Purchase of feed: 100,000 rubles.
- Other expenses: RUB 200,000.
- Total: 3,573,000 rubles.
* Capital expenses, in this example, are conditional and are given for the reader’s understanding of the approximate order of investments required to open a crayfish breeding farm (note by Moneymaker Factory).
How much can you earn?
Revenue calculation:
- Production of crayfish per year: 12 thousand 500 pieces.
- The total weight of crayfish is 2500 kg.
- average cost for 1 kg 500 rub.
- Revenue for the year: 1,250,000 rubles.
Annual expenses:
- Electricity: 9 thousand rubles.
- Compound feed: 12 thousand rubles.
- Other expenses (transport, veterinary): 100 thousand rubles.
- Total: 121,000 rubles.
Profit calculation = 1,250,000 rub. - 121,000 rub. = 1,129,000 rub. **
Return on investment: 2.5 -3 years
** Size of profitability of activities according to expert opinion the author of the article and is of a conditional nature, presented for the reader’s understanding of how profitability is calculated (note from the Moneymaker Factory).
Video with experience from the USA
For farmers and fish farms, crayfish, including long-toed and broad-toed ones, are of great interest as the main or additional object of cultivation.
Biology of crayfish
Fauna of European reservoirs in the end. XIX century became more diverse due to the introduction of American striped, signal and red swamp crayfish, as well as Australian red claw crayfish and yabi. The exception is the USSR.
The broad-fingered crayfish has powerful, non-closing claws, while its long-fingered relative has somewhat flattened claws that do close. The reason for this difference is the presence (first case) or absence (second case) of a notch between the fingers.
The taste qualities are higher in broad-fingered crayfish. There is more meat in its claws. At the same time, the long-fingered Kuban and Don crayfish also have many edible parts.
The minimum water temperature of the reservoirs in summer where crayfish prefer to live is 15 degrees. The more heat-loving species is the long-fingered crayfish. Compared to the broad-toed fish, it is less demanding on oxygen content. The habitats of the broad-toed are deep reservoirs with clear water and stable regime, long-fingered crayfish - lowland rivers, backwaters, flowing lakes.
Breeding and growing crayfish in ponds
In pond fish farming, crayfish are grown in small drainage or non-drainage reservoirs. The second housing option makes it possible to create a self-reproducing herd. In this case, captured egg-bearing females, males that have reached sexual maturity, or young individuals are introduced into the reservoir. In practice, it has been proven that it is more rational to introduce young of the year at the rate of five individuals per 1 square meter. usable area an area suitable for animal burrows. The recommended time for the introduction of fingerlings is the second half of August. Only in this case will the crustaceans fully master the reservoir before wintering.
On next year fingerlings are reintroduced into the reservoir. The number of animals is the same. In the middle zone, crayfish reach sexual maturity in the third or fourth year of life. Therefore, the herd becomes self-reproducing after about five years. It is already possible to catch adult individuals from it - annually up to 20% of adult individuals.
Crayfish are caught using crayfish traps. Pieces of fish or meat are used as bait. On many farms, crayfish are caught using cast nets.
It is possible to populate the drainage ponds with fingerlings in the fall (four individuals per square) with subsequent catches of adult 40-gram individuals every two years. The live weight of crayfish caught in specialized extended ponds is approximately 4 c/ha.
You can raise replacement young stock in small ponds with an area of 0.1 hectares and a depth of 1.2-1.4 m. There should be no more than five producers per square meter of pond. To produce 100 fingerlings, one egg-bearing female is required. Therefore, there should be quite a lot of mature males and females. Producers are fed with fish feed, slaughterhouse waste, kitchen waste, low-value fish... The feed is distributed on feeding tables. It is more effective to feed before sunset.
Technology based on growing crayfish in drainage ponds makes it possible to control the planting of aquatic organisms and other production processes. In this case, you can create shelters for crayfish. On farms, it is more efficient to raise animals in drainage nursery ponds. Broad-clawed crayfish grows better in flowing water bodies when supplied with fresh water. clear water. Long-clawed crayfish also shows good results in stagnant ponds if the oxygen concentration in the water is more than 4 mg/l at a pH of 7-8.
A technology that involves growing crayfish with peaceful fish species has taken root in commercial fish farming. We are talking about carp, silver carp, crucian carp, tench, grass carp...
Planting density of crayfish of various age groups in commercial fish farms, pcs./m2:
- fingerlings - 30. The output of young-of-the-year Kuban crayfish in Kuban farms reaches 15 c/ha when receiving the same amount of fish seeding material for carp and herbivorous fish;
- two-year-olds – 3-5.
Of the fingerlings and two-year-olds, approximately 70% of the individuals survive by the end of the growing season. In order to increase the survival rate of crayfish, they are given additional protection: the banks are lined with stones, embankments are made of stone and crushed stone, islands are made of dense soil, which allows crayfish to dig holes. Broken drainage pipes are a safe haven. Long-fingered crayfish need not be created additional protection, since it makes good use of silt and aquatic vegetation as a shelter.
Habitats of crayfish and their diet
The lifestyle of crayfish is sedentary, feeding occurs at night. During the day they are in the hole.
ABOUT high density habitat can be said if there are more than two mature individuals per square. Convenient places water areas for the life of crayfish - coastal areas of the pond with steep and steep banks and dense soil, in which the animals make burrows 10-20 cm long. Although crayfish are committed to their burrows, they are characterized by migratory behavior, especially daily feeding migrations from deep areas to the thicket shallow zone.
The hydrochemical composition of crayfish reservoirs is calcium bicarbonate, which is the reason for the sensitivity of this commercial fish farming object to the calcium content in the water. Crayfish do well in both neutral and slightly alkaline water, but not beyond these limits.
By the way, crayfish are a kind of indicators of water pollution.
The optimal temperature is 19-21 degrees, water hardness is low, medium; reaction – pH 7.2-8.5.
The growth rate of these animals is primarily determined by the food supply. At the beginning of development, the juveniles feed on tiny algae and zooplankton. The natural diet of grown and adult crayfish includes young shoots of aquatic plants: hornwort, chara, elodea, uruti, pondweed, horsetails, chastukha, reeds, reeds, sedges, etc. Hornwort, chara, elodea, pondweed contain lime, which is necessary for the crayfish not only for nutrition, but also for building a shell, since calcium is not absorbed directly from water by cancer.
Food of animal origin is one of the factors that guarantees the intensive growth of cancer. Under natural conditions, crayfish feed on insects, tadpoles, frogs, and fish. It should be noted that the crayfish comes across animal food by chance, and it is represented mainly by weak small individuals. Mollusks that are eaten whole (along with hard parts of the body) are more accessible.
The crayfish's mouth consists of three pairs of maxillae, including two pairs of lower jaws and one pair of thick upper jaws.
Crayfish is not a food competitor of fish. This indicates the possibility of growing it in polyculture.
If fingerlings of carp are raised in a pond, the crayfish are fed with trout and sturgeon feed. Both are subject to preliminary crushing.
Crayfish reproduction
Two to four year old crayfish are sexually mature. The duration of the breeding period is from two weeks to a month. In the central regions of Russia, crayfish mate in October-November; in the south - in February-March.
During the breeding season, the male wanders along the bottom of the reservoir, watching for the female. Having overtaken her, he knocks her over onto her back. During mating, the male pours out quickly hardening seminal fluid near the genital openings of the females. One male can fertilize up to five females, so there are always fewer males than females in breeding ponds.
A hungry male is dangerous for females. Therefore, females are released into the pond first. This is done so that they dig a hole for themselves - permanent place a habitat. Cancers do not tend to live in other people's holes.
After 20-25 days after mating, the female lays dark-colored eggs in her tucked abdomen, which are attached to the legs of the abdomen. The number of eggs laid is 60-600 pieces. The fertility of long-clawed crayfish females is higher than that of broad-clawed crayfish females.
The eggs develop over five to six months. After the first stages of fragmentation of the fertilized egg (spawn), the development of the embryo is interrupted by a resting stage (diapause), which lasts 3-3.5 months in crayfish from northern populations. The development of the embryo continues only with an increase in water temperature, which occurs during the period of melting of the ice of the reservoir.
The hatching of juveniles begins in May-June. The average length of hatched crustaceans is 8 mm. They are located under the mother's abdomen. In juveniles, the caudal section of the abdomen (tail part of the body) is undeveloped.
For the first time, molted crustaceans crawl around their mother. Sensing danger, they hide under its belly. After the second molt, the juveniles move on to independent existence. The number of molts in the first summer of life is on average 7 times, in the second – 4, in the third – 3 times. In winter, the growth of crayfish stops, and therefore they do not molt. Crayfish live for about 7 years, some individuals reach 20 years of age. The weight of adult males is 150 g, and that of females is 90 g.
Typically, spawning females and mature males are caught in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in April-May. After the ice breaks up, females can be found in warmer coastal areas. This is where baited traps are set. Before transportation, caught crayfish are kept in a cage, which is located close to the shore of the reservoir.
Diseases and molting of crayfish
One of the disadvantages of crayfish is their susceptibility to various diseases. More often they suffer from the plague (the pathology destroys the population inhabiting large standing and flowing water bodies in a couple of days). This problem can be diagnosed by elongated limbs, moving or standing animals, and body spasms. Cancers affected by this disease die in any case. Sources of infection are fish, ducks, swans, geese and other waterfowl. There are no effective ways to combat pathology. Everything is based on the quarantine of problem water bodies.
A large loss of crayfish population is also possible during the molting period. Thanks to the hard shell, the size of the crayfish remains unchanged before molting, only the mass increases. The formation of a new, soft shell occurs before molting. Molting involves shedding the old shell. It takes from 5 minutes to 24 hours. Hardening of the new shell occurs within 6-10 days. During the molting period, the cancer is helpless and especially suffers from attacks from enemies and fellow creatures that are not in the molting stage. The enemies of cancer are predatory fish, otters, water rats, and waterfowl. Molting crayfish can become prey for frogs, snakes and omnivorous fish.
During the first moult, usually in June-July, only males molt, and in August-September individuals of both sexes molt. Females molt after they are free from eggs and stop caring for their offspring. Externally, females differ from males primarily in weight and body shape. Males have longer and more powerful claws, females have a wider abdomen.
Transportation of crayfish
On land, crayfish are able to breathe atmospheric air until the gills dry out - for several days if the animal is kept in a cool, shaded place.
To transport adult individuals, boxes or boxes (60x40x30 cm) are usually used.
Before transportation, the animals are kept in water for a quarter of an hour. This minimizes (eliminates) the likelihood of suffocation.
The method of placing crayfish in containers is with their backs up in four rows, covered with grass and moss. Gauze, shavings, straw are applicable. It is better to transport in containers at a slightly reduced temperature. For this purpose, crushed pieces of ice are used.
In past years, crayfish were transported in a dried state. Approximately seven hours before packaging, the crayfish were removed from the cage and placed on dry moss, straw, shavings, or other bedding material. This old-fashioned method requires a shaded room. Drafts are also unacceptable. The animal is ready for transportation if drying on the palm or dry paper does not leave wet spots. The crayfish are placed with the neck tucked in at the bottom of the container, belly down, and covered with cushioning material. The maximum height of the layers is 25 cm. The denser the crayfish are packed, the less likely they are to move during transportation.
Crayfish farming as a business
Just like any other type of business, crayfish farming should start with analysis market demand. To understand whether your product will be popular, you can go this way: find out from catering establishments (cafes, restaurants), grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. will they want to purchase goods from you for subsequent sale. If in most cases your offer is received with a bang, then you don’t have to worry about having nowhere to put the goods.
You can try another option: selling crayfish through your friends and acquaintances. Everyone knows the power of word of mouth, when some people tell others about a product, and they, in turn, tell others about it, and so on. However, such a mechanism will only work if your product is of truly high quality, and price policy will be acceptable to most people.
Farmers who have the opportunity to rent a plot of land are best suited to breeding this type of arthropod in an artificial pond. And it’s absolutely not difficult to do this. All you need for this is a pond of 30–50 m² with a depth of at least 1.5 m. average size On a farm there are, as a rule, 2–4 such reservoirs. The main condition for such a pond is a clay bank and a bottom with stones.
Breeding crayfish is an excellent way to generate additional income, which is primarily of interest for small farms, on the basis of which, along with fish, other farm animals are raised, including fur-bearing animals, poultry... On such farms, crayfish will become excellent orderlies.
On video: Growing crayfish in fish farms.