How to breed crayfish at home for sale - instructions for businessmen

  • 29.08.2021

We will tell you how to feed crayfish at home, in what ways they can be bred and how much you can actually earn from it. Find out what equipment you need for this.

Crayfish breeding for sale is a promising line of business, since this area of ​​\u200b\u200bactivity is not very common among entrepreneurs.

Low popularity is associated with a long payback period for investments, and therefore not every businessman is ready to invest time and money in breeding crayfish. However, novice businessmen looking for a promising idea should take a closer look at crayfish breeding - in the future this activity can bring solid dividends.

Breeding crayfish at home for sale - how justified is this

Crayfish breeding will become a stable source of income only with the competent organization of the production process. The peculiarities of the business idea should be taken into account: there are several breeding methods, you will need special equipment and the cost of creating a comfortable environment for the reproduction of crustaceans.

Be sure to calculate how much money it will take to organize a business, purchase materials, feed and adults. Consider the cost of time - you need to take care of crayfish, like any other animal, although they require incomparably less attention than, say, poultry.

You will need a business plan, which, in addition to direct financial costs, will indicate the costs of marketing and sales markets.

The activity of breeding crayfish belongs to the farm, therefore it is most advantageous to draw up an IP and choose a single agricultural tax (ESHN) as a taxation system.

Advantages and disadvantages of such a business

Breeding crayfish for the purpose of subsequent sale is characterized by certain advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

  • low competition in the business market segment;
  • the possibility of expanding the client base due to the unemployment of the field of activity;
  • popularity of the product among the population;
  • relatively low labor costs;
  • high profitability of the business process.

Due to low competition and niche vacancy, there is a chance to quickly grow a permanent customer base, which will bring tangible income with optimal investments.

Flaws:

  • a large amount of initial costs to create an optimal habitat;
  • seasonality of the production process, since crayfish breed from May to October;
  • long payback period due to the slowdown in the growth of fry in the winter;
  • receipt of revenue only for the 2nd year of the implementation of the business idea.

The main drawback is that at the initial stage, serious costs are needed, and their return with the subsequent receipt of proceeds will take at least a year. This minus is covered by the fact that in the future material costs are reduced, and the rate of profit increases.

Important! Initial costs depend on the volume of production and the method of breeding crayfish.

Crayfish breeding methods

Let's consider them in detail.

In the basement

The method consists in installing special equipment in the basement, where an optimal microclimate is created and maintained. Breeding in this way is characterized by a serious advantage - individuals do not hibernate and continue to grow.

To create a microclimate, you need to maintain the temperature in the basement at least 7 degrees, and also create artificial lighting in the center of the room. In addition, it must necessarily have air ventilation, since water evaporation can lead to the formation of fungus or mold.

In aquarium

The essence of this method is obvious - crayfish are bred in aquariums. In this case, the containers must be at least 250 liters. The disadvantage of this method is the limitation on the territory, and therefore it will not be easy to reach a serious level of production.

The advantage of the method is that in the aquarium, crayfish, as well as in the basement, will not fall into hibernation. To do this, it is necessary to maintain the water temperature at 20C and provide the crayfish with filtration of their habitat and access to oxygen.

In the pond

A method for those who have a site for arranging a reservoir, which requires quite serious financial investments. The advantage of an open pond is the minimum cost of its maintenance and the availability of a natural food base, and the disadvantage is that the crayfish hibernate in the winter and the minimum increase in their mass.

Choose a method based on specific conditions - the availability of a site, a room for installing equipment, and a budget.

How to feed crayfish at home

In ponds, the food base is created naturally, and in this case it is only necessary to feed the growing individuals.

If you breed at home, you need to periodically replenish food supplies, which may consist of:

  • food of plant origin (cereals, algae, vegetables, tree leaves, bread, etc.);
  • food of animal origin (chopped meat, minced meat, fish, insect larvae and adults, earthworms, mollusks, fry, tadpoles, etc.).

With small production volumes, it is possible to independently harvest the feed base, but it will be difficult to do this in the industrial production of products. The way out of this situation is to use ready-made combined feeds intended for growing fish.

The daily feeding rate is calculated as follows:

  • for individuals grown for sale - 2% of body weight;
  • for females preparing for laying - 5-6% of body weight.

For less pollution of the habitat, it is advisable to use special feeders, which are lattice cells.

How to breed crayfish for sale - step by step instructions

Running a successful business involves not only growing, but also breeding, which requires more concentration and attention.

We bring to your attention a step-by-step instruction for breeding crayfish.

Step 1. We create conditions for breeding

First you need to purchase and install special equipment or create a natural reservoir in the open air. Decide how much production you plan to receive for a certain period, and in accordance with this, calculate the necessary material costs.


The tanks are equipped with soil, snags, shelters, algae, as well as equipment for creating a microclimate - an air compressor, a water filter, a heater, a lighting device.

Step 2. We buy feed and additional equipment

At the second stage, decide on the food base - decide whether you will cook it yourself or buy it ready-made. With a small number of crayfish, it makes no sense to purchase large volumes.

In addition to feed, buy additional equipment needed for cleaning tanks, rearing young animals and catching crayfish.

Step 3. Choose the right type of crayfish

When all conditions are created, it is the turn to purchase the first batch for subsequent breeding. Individuals should not be taken from a natural reservoir, as they grow too long, while those sold specifically for breeding develop much faster.

There are various types of crayfish, for example, blue Cuban, marble, Australian, but the most popular European river. It is he, unlike his fellows, that is characterized by unpretentious care and ease of cultivation.

Step 4. We create conditions for reproduction

For breeding, purchase males and females in a ratio of 1/1 or 1/2, while keeping in mind that their mating period lasts from May to October. Fertilized females, sticking eggs to the tail, should be deposited in a separate container, where after 2 months the larvae will appear.

The female lays up to 500 eggs, but many of them die in the natural environment, and about 50 individuals remain. At home, this figure is much higher - up to 90% of the larvae are preserved, provided that the female is transplanted before and after laying, since the crayfish eat their fry.

Step 5. We are looking for ways to implement

With a successful business, you should conclude an agreement for the supply of products to restaurants, shops, pubs or saunas. You can sell not only adults, but also caviar, which is highly valued due to its excellent taste.

What equipment will be needed

For effective breeding, the following equipment is required:

  1. Aquarium not less than 250 l (capacity up to 50 individuals). It is best to purchase about 10 aquariums so that the growing business is more efficient and profitable.
  2. Compressor for mixing water.
  3. Water filter from waste products and unsuitable food residues.
  4. Oxidator to aerate water and saturate it with oxygen.
  5. Recycling sediment for pumping water or draining the aquarium.
  6. Oximeter to measure the percentage of oxygen dissolved in water.
  7. salt meter for measuring water hardness parameters.
  8. Thermometer.
  9. Conductometer to measure the level of water pollution.
  10. heating device necessary in winter to maintain the optimum temperature.
  11. lighting device if you plan to breed crayfish in the basement of the house.

This list includes devices and equipment, without which the process will be impossible.

How much can you earn

Let's calculate the amount of revenue for breeding a house for 1.5 years:

  • in the presence of 5 aquariums, up to 250 individuals can be grown, each of which will weigh approximately 80 grams (average size);
  • a total of 20 kg of weight will be obtained;
  • if 1 kg costs 1,500 rubles, then upon sale you will receive 30,000 rubles.

This amount will be received after 1.5 years of cultivation, and at the same time it is necessary to spend money on feed and equipment maintenance.

The full payback of the resources spent will occur in about 4-5 years, depending on the scale of the business, and therefore it is necessary to decide whether you are ready to withdraw money from your budget for such a period.

To make a competent decision, draw up a business plan that will reflect the following points:

  1. What equipment to buy and how much money to spend.
  2. What volume of production is planned to be produced.
  3. How much money will be required for cultivation.
  4. To whom to sell products.
  5. What will be the cost of shipping to customers.

It is important to reflect the costs in monetary terms in order to clearly understand how much money needs to be used at the initial stage. In addition, the estimated sales revenue should be determined.

Remember

  1. The full payback of the business is about 5 years.
  2. To achieve success, study information on the arrangement of the habitat, the rules of reproduction and rearing of young individuals.
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