In this system, the fish crop is integrated using only poultry droppings or dip litter by rearing the poultry either directly over the pond or on the pond embankment. By adopting this technology, production of 3500 to 4000 kg fish, more than 20000 eggs and about 1250 kg (live weight) chicken meat can be obtained from a hectare of pond area in one year.

1. Poultry Husbandry Practices

1.1. Housing of birds :

In integrated poultry fish farming, the birds are confined to the house entirely, with no access to the land outside. This intensive system is of two types, viz. Battery system (Cage system) and dip litter system.

• The dip litter system is preferred over the cage system due to higher manurial value of the built up dip litter.
• In this system, the poultry birds are kept in pens up to 250 birds per pen on floor covered with litter.
• For starting the dip litter system, the floor of the pen is covered with dry organic material. The chopped straw, dry leaves, hay, saw dust etc. to a depth of about 6 inches. 0.3 to 0.4 m floor space is required per bird.
• The dropping of the birds which fall on the litter gradually combine with the litter material due to bacterial action.
• When the depth of litter becomes less, more organic matter is added to maintain sufficient depth.
• In case the litter becomes damp superphosphate or lime is added to keep it dry.
• The litter is regularly stirred for aeration. In about 10-12 months, it becomes fully built up litter, having very high manurial value.

1.2. Selection of birds :

The fowls of Rhode island, white leghorn or kuroiler are suitable for the purpose. About 500 to 600 birds (lay eggs) are required for one hectare water spread area. About eight week old chicks, after vaccination against viral diseases and providing other necessary prophylactic measures as a safeguard against epidemics are kept in poultry house near the pond.

1.3. Feeding :

Grower mash is provided to the farmed birds during the age of 9-20 weeks @50-70 gm/bird/ day, whereas a layer mash is provided to the birds above 20 weeks @ 80-120 gm/bird/day. The feed is provided to the birds in feed hoppers to avoid wastage. An ample supply of water is made available to all the birds at all the time.

1.4. Egg laying :

Each pen of laying birds is provided with one nest for 5-6 birds. Egg production commences at the age of 22 weeks and then gradually decline. The birds lay from 240-250 eggs per year. After the age of 18 month birds are disposed.

1.5. Health care :

The poultry house and equipment must be disinfected atleast 30 days prior to bringing in the new flock. The birds are to be vaccinated against diseases like infectious bronchitis infected laryngo trancheitis, mark's diseses, ranikhet diseses, fowl pox, etc. at the appropriate age. Some of the bacterial diseases viz. salmonellosis, coryza, fowl cholera, etc. can be kept under control by maintenance of proper hygienic conditions. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be added to the water in case the infection is mild. In severe cases, veterinary expert should be consulted.

The fully built up dip litter removed from poultry pens is stored in suitable place and supplied to the pond @50 kg/ha/day every morning after sunrise. The application of this is deferred on the days when algal bloom appears in the pond.

Production :

Fresh fish : 3500 to 4000 kg/ha/yr

Egg : 70000 nos./pen

Poultry meat : 1250 kg (live weight) per year.