Alternate-day feeding strategy for Nile tilapia grow out in the Philippines: Marginal cost-revenue analyses

Nile tilapia Oreochrotnis niloticus were produced in an experimental, on-farm grow-out cycle in which economic and production efficiencies were partially examined. Milled feeds were provided either daily (control) or on alternate days (experimental) at a given percentage of body weight, ranging from 20% initially to 2% at the end of the experiment. Growth, survival, feed conversion efficiency, cost, yield, and income were considered under the two strategies. Although the cost of feeds was cut in half by the experimental feeding treatment, feeding on alternate days did not reduce Nile tilapia growth or production performance variables, and yields were not significantly different. A trend favoring larger fish among the controls was not significant, and profit margins were higher for the alternate-day feeding strategy than for the control strategy. Although feed conversion ratios varied considerably among the nine participating farms, the improved efficiency in the experimental groups was consistently observed and was statistically significant. It is possible that the improved performance attained by alternate-day feeding is a result of reduced feed waste, either through more complete consumption of or improved nutrient absorption from available feeds.