Farm-Scale Production Performance of An Integrated Poultry–Fish Farming System Using Murrel (Channa Striatus) And Sonali Poultry: A Six-Month Case Study from Kothapally (V), Mupkal (M), Nizamabad District, Telangana, India

Abstract

Integrated farming systems provide opportunities to combine multiple agricultural enterprises within a single production unit to improve resource utilization, diversify income sources, and enhance farm sustainability. This study describes the operational performance of a farm-scale integrated poultry–fish farming system involving murrel (Channa striatus) culture and Sonali poultry production at Kothapally Village, Mupkal Mandal, Nizamabad District, Telangana, India. The study evaluated farm configuration, fish production performance, poultry management practices, infrastructure development, water quality management, and economic outcomes during a six-month production cycle. The integrated farm was established on approximately 2 acres of leased land and consisted of one fish culture pond and two poultry sheds. The fish pond measured approximately 15 ft width × 50 ft length and was divided into four separate blocks for size-based management. The first two blocks consisted of fish with an average body weight of approximately 250 g, while the remaining two blocks consisted of larger fish weighing approximately 800 g to 1 kg. A total of 4000 murrel (Channa striatus) fish were stocked and managed using block-wise feeding practices. Fish were supplied with Stella commercial feed containing approximately 40% crude protein, with 4 mm pellets provided to 250 g fish and 6 mm pellets supplied to larger fish groups. During the six-month culture period, 3650 fish survived, while 350 fish were lost, resulting in a survival rate of 91.25%. The harvested fish achieved an average body weight of approximately 1 kg per fish, producing approximately 3650 kg of fish biomass. Water quality parameters including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia were maintained within suitable operational ranges for murrel culture. The poultry component consisted of two sheds, each with a capacity of approximately 5000 Sonali breed chicks. Ten-day-old chicks were purchased at approximately ₹28 per bird and reared using Bhavani commercial poultry feed. The birds achieved an average final body weight of approximately 1–1.2 kg per bird under farm management conditions. The poultry sheds were equipped with essential facilities including water supply, overhead tanks, lighting, feeders, drinkers, rice bran flooring, mats, side walls, and green shade materials. The integrated farming system generated an estimated net return of ₹320,000, considering combined production outputs and operational expenses. The results indicate that integrated murrel–poultry farming can serve as a practical approach for improving resource utilization, reducing production risks, and generating diversified income opportunities for small and medium-scale farmers under Telangana farming conditions.