Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding What is your monthly feeding rate?

A recent post by Aaron M has got me wondering how we all compare in feeding rates. I know we have done feeding surveys before but I want to start one where everyone gives their feed rate in comparable units. We all have different sized ponds and variable length growing seasons so I want members to give their feed rate in terms of lbs per month per acre during the feeding season. This will get everyone on the same level regardless of how big your pond is or how many months you can feed. (Of course what types of fish you have can greatly effect feeding but there isn't a way to put that in the equation.) Anyhow take your yearly food consumption divided by how many months you feed divided by the size of you pond (in decimal form).

For example at my folks 0.33 acre pond we feed from about April through October and use around 100 lbs a year. So 100lbs divided by 7 months divided by 0.33 acre = a feed rate of 43.3lbs per acre per month. I think this is lower than most of you (esp Aaron) but that is why I want to start the thread. If we get lots of people to post we could come up with a PondBoss average and link this thread when new members join and ask about how much to feed.

Man I love this forum. DJT your post is a bean counters dream come true. Oh and just so you know, I'm not mocking you, I think this is a great idea. Of course Theo is probably going to muck this formula up by throwing in an azimuth calculation or something.

Do the math for me Jeff!

200 lbs feed in 1.5 acre pond in 4 months.

200/4 x 2/3 = 33.3#A

About 6 bags in 3 months (almost 3 bags in the past month).

So for Q1,
Total feed about 300#
Average 2 bags a month = 100#/mo
Size = about .2 acres (probably a little less)
Rate = 500#/ac/mo

Almost all Aquamax 600.

I feed AM 600 at about #35/ac/mo.

I have a little over 2 acre pond and in the summer I feed around 3 plus bags a week. Since I lost about 35 large cat fish this could be reduced.

AQMX 600 ~75#/acre/month for peak months,

Great question, DJT. Checking my records, I was actually surprised that my feeding season last over 6 months every year, and that I'd better get a couple bags of feed in the next week to get started on time (I may actually be late this year, if my new YP eat earlier than the BG/LMB/CC).

Anyway, for2007 (the last year I can remember exactly how much feed I bought),, I fed 150 pounds of GFC and 150 pounds of Aquamax 600 in 0.9 acre. Figuring an effective 6 month long feeding season (it's more like 6.5 months, but they feed not so much at either end), I fed 55.6 pounds/acre/month.


That's Latitude, Bean Counter.

What does a 50 lb bag of Aquamax run?

$25.24 including the sales tax (7%) 500 and 600 was the same price.

About $36 here last year. Don't know the '09 price yet.

Interesting how the price varies so much from location to location.

That price is current as of Thursday, when I picked up the food.

Lets hear it guys! I know more of you folks are feeding than that.

I think the price variations in AquaMax are likely due to transportation costs. Whether on a dedicated truck or via carrier shipping a 50 pound bag, or a pallet or truckload of them is expensive.

I bought 400 and 500 size last week at $23.95. My feed store is located about a mile from a Purina mill and I'd guess not much in shipping costs is built in.

Bing

DJT, its a new growing season. Maybe folks dont remember or dont want to post last years usage. I hope to get my HSB to feed this year. I have some 3/8 inch ready for them.

1 acre pond 100# per month

GFC = $ 18.25 A bag
AM price differs on size 300 is more than 400 which is more than 500 , last price on AM 500 was $ 29

Averaging 2 bags of GFC and 1 AM 500 per week total for 3 ponds totaling 35 acres . That will slow down as it gets real hot then pick up about 9-15 for a mth and then slow as water cools. Feed from March - Oct +-.

I'll venture a guess at100 lbs a month for a 3/4 acre pond.Maybe a little more,I just dont pay enough attention.Speaking of which,let me go throw 2-3 lbs of food in the pond.Until they settle into rutine,I feed by hand,and throw out according to how thier feeding day by day.

40 lbs per month x 6 months = 240 lbs per year in a 0.8 acre pond.

240 pounds per year/0.8 acres/6 months = 50 pounds per acre

I feel like a real slacker.

I lied earlier with the 35#/acre/month. It is more like 60#?acre/month. I start feeding early March and go through October.

FYI I think most of your ponds are smaller but on bigger lakes the #/acre/month is no where near this high. No reason to feel like a slacker catmando. We probably avg 25lbs on the high end for our 5+ acre ponds.

I fed more agressively this year, which was my first since moving to the homeplace, and doubled the feed rate to 86 lb/ac/month of aquamax. Anyone else keep track?

Man, I feel like I'm starving my fish..(1/2 acre pond) 50 pounds is lasting me from April to Oct. with a few pounds left... But I also throw a few lbs of FHM in the spring and a few lbs in the fall...