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Cultivation of crustaceans at home. Home Crayfish Breeding Business for Sale - Detailed Business Plan. Breeds of crayfish and features of their cultivation

Breeding and growing crayfish as a business at home in our country is only gaining momentum, and due to the unsatisfactory environmental situation and water pollution in our rivers, the number of crayfish is constantly decreasing, only properly organized crayfish farms can correct the situation.

In addition, our beer lovers are less and less fond of the usual fish as a snack, and more and more of crayfish!

Almost all over the world, on all continents, they breed crayfish. This business is so popular because there is no need for large investments even at the very beginning of this business, while the costs are reduced in the future, and sales grow from year to year.

Crayfish breeding as a business is not only a global production: at first it can be organized on a small scale, for example, even in ordinary home conditions. It will certainly bring income after a certain time, if you adhere to all the long-established standards for breeding crayfish. This is one of the best business ideas, low cost but requires some knowledge and diligence.

Organization of a crayfish breeding business at home

What reservoirs are suitable for breeding

You can breed crayfish in ordinary reservoirs that were dug specifically for this purpose or were used for breeding fish. Running water is optional. It is much more important that crayfish have the opportunity to build burrows in which they will spend most of their time. The bottom should be lined with small stones, gravel or clay.

Difficulties of breeding in aquariums

Some start breeding crayfish at home in large aquariums. However, if you are going to breed them for business, then aquariums will not be enough, they are only suitable for mastering and learning the processes of growing and breeding. There are other difficulties in growing these crustaceans in aquariums.

Firstly, the number of crustaceans bred in aquariums will be small, and secondly, many problems are associated with maintaining biological balance in such a small volume. The water must be constantly purified and the young must be isolated from the older ones to prevent cannibalism. Sometimes crayfish are kept in the same aquarium with fish, but you need to know that only some breeds can get along with crayfish without harming them and not being eaten themselves.

Video "How to breed crayfish at home"

Video breeding crayfish at home

Breeding in pools

If you still decide to add fish to crayfish, then you need to choose from those breeds that prefer to be closer to the surface, bottom fish, for example, some breeds of catfish so beloved by aquarists can be eaten by them. In turn, it is not necessary to keep expensive breeds and squids with them.

Indoor pools can be an ideal option, in which you can organize all the necessary conditions for year-round keeping of crayfish. In such reservoirs, they will be constantly active, eat well and grow quickly. From 3-4 similar pools, you can get about half a ton of crayfish for sale.

Don't expect big profits in the first year. First you need to grow a broodstock, and then expect them to receive crustaceans and subsequent profits.

The purchase of already adult females can significantly accelerate profits. But they are quite expensive, but if you have the appropriate finances for growing crayfish, you can try.

Pond breeding

If you are going to start breeding crayfish in ponds, then you should understand that this is enough Long procces, because, due to the low temperature, the crayfish will be inactive, eat poorly and, accordingly, grow slowly.

If you have a suburban area, then you can dig a suitable pond. But it is worth thinking in advance that in addition to free space, bulk material, special equipment is also needed.

The depth of the reservoir should be at least one and a half meters, the minimum area is 30 m2, these are the minimum dimensions, but they are enough for a small livestock. This is a small reservoir and in order to save money, it can be dug out manually in a few weeks, but if you have a friend with a personal excavator, then it is better to entrust this work to him.

Digging a reservoir for breeding crayfish is not necessary in the form of a pool. The shape of the pit, in which there will be a spherical bottom, is more suitable for our case. For effective business, you will need not one, but two, even better, three or four such reservoirs.

As mentioned above, the bottom should be lined with stones or large pebbles, which must be sprinkled with river sand.

Sometimes a reservoir can overflow with water, so you need to worry about arranging a drain in advance. It's easy, just install the pipe, at the end of which there must be a net. If there is no grid, then your wards will have the opportunity to leave the reservoir and, of course, die.

Various garden vegetation sits along the edge of the reservoir, which plays not only the role of decor, but will also strengthen the banks, preventing them from collapsing.

For the winter, reservoirs are insulated, otherwise the water will freeze, and its inhabitants will die.

Conditions of detention

After your reservoir is ready, you just have to fill it with water and launch crayfish into it. Great importance has the quality and purity of water. If the reservoir is not flowing, then the water in it should change as it gets dirty - this is about once every 2 weeks. If the reservoir is equipped correctly and a drainage system is provided for, then this is not difficult. The pipe is opened, the old water is drained and new water is poured.

It is not necessary to drain all the water; a 1/3 update is enough. This will be enough to enrich the water with oxygen, while not disturbing your pets or disturbing the biological balance.

In our latitudes, crayfish can be bred (depending on the onset of cold weather) for about 7-8 months a year. However, this time should be enough. One female can usually give a couple of hundred crustaceans, but a few dozen usually live to large sizes.

Often, breeding crayfish at home is hampered by such an unpleasant phenomenon as crayfish cannibalism. Adult individuals perceive small crayfish as food and eat them with great pleasure. In particular, females are prone to this, which for a long time, carrying eggs, are in one place, as a result of which they often starve.

To prevent this phenomenon, females at this time need to be transplanted to another place i.e. a special incubator and as soon as the crustaceans hatch, they are removed from it, thereby increasing the number of surviving young.

The diet of small crustaceans is the same as adult crayfish:

  • meat;
  • dead fish;
  • bread;
  • vegetables.

There is a special food for small crustaceans on sale - this, of course, is an ideal option and growing crayfish will be more successful.

The composition of such feeds was developed by specialists and tested in practice, it includes:

  • raw fats;
  • cellulose
  • digestible proteins;
  • crude proteins;
  • minced fish and flour;

Where to buy crayfish for breeding and what

Specifically, for breeding, mainly female crayfish will be needed, but males are also needed. Some crayfish breeders buy legged females that already have caviar. On average, to grow one ton of crayfish, you need to buy about four hundred females. Naturally, if you are just starting to breed, then there is a lot of this amount, for the first time fifty is enough.

You can also catch crayfish on your own in their natural habitats. reservoirs small size with well-established water change and aeration - the best place for further breeding of embryos in females.

You can buy crayfish for subsequent breeding at special enterprises that breed breeding stock for sale.

You can also do it even easier, namely, place an order for raklov, which you can meet at any grocery market that sells their production.

Breeding crayfish as a business - provides for savings at all stages.

Breeds of crayfish and features of their cultivation

Australian

In order to breed the Red Claw Australian, special conditions are required. This is the most "meaty" breed. Breeding is possible only in closed water bodies, and additional heating is required. Very often they are bred at home in aquariums, while their volume should not be less than 100 liters. This is enough for the normal maintenance of 3-4 individuals.

They have a need for periodic rises to the surface and this must be taken into account when arranging a reservoir. Burrows, various shelters and various snags should be provided in advance. They need these shelters for eating, resting and for the period of molting, which can occur anywhere, but then the cancer needs to hide somewhere.

They are unpretentious in food: they eat dead fish, aquatic vegetation, combined feed, bread.

You can plant fish with them, but not all breeds are suitable. It is better to buy fast-growing inexpensive species for these purposes, because there is a huge likelihood of overeating and the frequent death of fastidious fish. The best solution can become ordinary guppeshki.

blue cuban

This type of crayfish is exceptionally unpretentious. Sizes are average. The water temperature is not more than 26C, the hardness is high. They feed on everything they can find at the bottom. Attacks on fish that swim close to them are not uncommon. If they are properly fed and properly cared for, then after six months the young reach the size of adults. In a reservoir in which Cubans are kept, the soil should be sandy, the vegetation should be coarse. Filtration and aeration of water is required. Crayfish of this breed, like all crustaceans, love to hide in various grottoes, burrows and shelters.

Marble

Marble, like the Australian, needs special breeding conditions: water temperature 20-28C, filtration and aeration. Abundant feeding. But the big advantage is that in a 100 l. can contain about twenty individuals. Reproduction is parthenogenesis. If anyone still does not know what it is, then in short this is a same-sex method, when cancer is both a female and a male. The larvae hatch on the abdomen for about a month. The young growth grows up to 15 cm. After the birth, the fry must be planted, otherwise the adults will definitely feast on them.

Business setup costs

Equipment and containers for breeding crayfish

For breeding crayfish in open-type reservoirs, insulation is still needed, since freezing of its lower layers is unacceptable.

It is more profitable to breed crayfish in pools or aquariums, but at the same time, at first, investments will be required to purchase specialized equipment:


But do not be afraid these are the costs of the first initial stage. Already next year they will be significantly lower and you may already be able to start making the first profit. As a result, the crayfish breeding business is profitable, and the payback period is 2 years.

More about equipment

If you decide to organize your own small crayfish farm, then additional equipment should be purchased to increase profitability. As you know, crayfish are creatures quite dependent on the conditions in which they are kept, as a result of which a logical conclusion suggests itself, the better conditions you organize for them, the sooner and better they will be able to repay you with good growth.

To fully equip the pond you will need:

  • Thermal insulation equipment. It can be greenhouses, both specialized industrial production, and their own design. Greenhouses are needed to maintain the optimum water temperature for crayfish.
  • To keep the water in the pond, you need a reliable frame, and it is better if it is made of polypropylene.
  • The compressor is needed so that water stagnation occurs in it, otherwise the growth of crayfish may slow down or even stop altogether.
  • Oxidizer especially in winter time needed to oxygenate the water. You need to install it already in the fall and do not wait until the ice crust begins to cover the reservoir.
  • A filtration system is needed in any case, including if water is replaced in a timely manner, since in any case, food residues and excretion of crayfish will accumulate at the bottom, which rotting and decomposing will pollute the water, which will negatively affect not only growth, but and shellfish health.

When breeding crayfish in aquariums, you need a special filtration system, as well as heating and compressor systems.

This video explains how a crayfish farm works and what needs to be done to speed up their growth.

05/01/2018 at 16:51

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Many foreign countries, in particular, the United States of America and Turkey, are distinguished by favorable conditions for private entrepreneurship, the successful development of their business in almost any area. This also applies to the business of breeding and selling crayfish.

Its popularity is connected, first of all, with a short list of expenditure items, which will only decrease in the future. But the increase in trade is just the opposite - it is increasing. With the right approach, of course.

In Russia, breeding crayfish at home as a business is an equally affordable and proven way of obtaining a stable income by many. But those who are interested in the possibility of making money on a “claw product” in detail should approach this issue responsibly, having thoroughly studied the intricacies of this promising and low-cost business idea.

Demand and sales

Crayfish as a business at home have one drawback - seasonality. The most profitable period falls on May-October, if the growing process is carried out in conditions close to natural.

Before proceeding with the cultivation of a living commodity, it is necessary to study the nature of the demand in the market. Does he exist at all? How high is it in your region? Of course, it is possible to breed crayfish for personal consumption, but if there is an opportunity to derive regular income from this activity, moreover, stably and for a long time, why not use it?

How can you check the degree of need of the population in crayfish? You can contact catering outlets and shops with an offer to sell products supplied from a private site.

Large stores have fish sections, which sell not only fish and seafood, but also crayfish (rarely). This product- a rarity, so there is a high probability that there will be customers among hypermarkets and restaurants.

The most important conditions for successful search and retention of buyers are:

✔Impeccable product quality;

✔ Adequacy and competitiveness of prices;

✔Good service (delivery, additional discounts for regular customers, etc.).

Compliance with these fundamental principles will allow you to develop a good customer base in just one or two seasons.

Creating favorable conditions for successful breeding of crayfish

Growing crayfish as a business requires a responsible attitude, a detailed study of the basic principles of this activity and strict adherence to technological process.

"Crayfish" farm does not require large investments. However, the production itself needs careful care, because even a slight omission or error in the "production" process can cause the death of the population and the loss of investment.

To organize a profitable process of growing crayfish, you need:

✔ Pond or other suitable water reservoir;

✔ Healthy and prolific individuals;

✔Special devices that create the necessary favorable microenvironment;

✔Organization of nutrition for crayfish;

✔ Availability of free time.

The place of cultivation can be an artificial or natural reservoir. Regardless of the type chosen, it should be insulated, since low temperatures are detrimental to crayfish.

The arrangement of the habitat of crayfish (pool, pond or aquarium) depends on the financial capabilities of the entrepreneur. Consider all options.

1. The pool is considered the most profitable option, as it allows you to maintain the necessary temperature for the reproduction of animals all year round. In the pool, crayfish do not hibernate, which means that the number of offspring will double.

Thus, from four pools, you can get about four hundred crayfish in just one growing cycle. If desired, and to save money, special industrial water tanks can be made by hand.

2. Raising crayfish in a pond as a business is the most budget option. This method does not require additional investments, but, accordingly, one cannot count on high productivity, since in the natural habitat during the cold season, crayfish hibernate. In ponds, the breeding process is slower than in artificial reservoirs.

small pond and the diverse vegetation around it, suitable for food, contribute to the creation of a favorable habitat. In such cases, it is possible to generate profit without a financial injection into the business organization.

It is enough to catch a live product and sell it to those who wish. However, within the framework of large-scale production, it is best to grow crayfish in a closed reservoir - a kind of guarantor of the optimal microclimate for the reproduction and development of animals.

3. Growing crayfish in an aquarium as a business is suitable for those who are not interested in producing large volumes of products. The return here is not the greatest, besides, it is difficult to create an environment similar to natural in an aquarium. Since cancers need clean water Aquariums need to be cleaned frequently. Due to the closeness of space, the inhabitants can begin to devour each other, therefore

Stronger (and not weak!) individuals must be kept in a separate container. Adult crayfish quickly adapt to new conditions, young growth in this case may die. Also, expensive fish and squid cannot be added to crayfish.

Crayfish breeding as a business: the nuances

Successful breeding of crayfish in artificial reservoirs as a business involves the creation of conditions that are as close as possible to natural conditions and contribute to the stable growth of the population of live products.

The following subtleties must be taken into account:

1) Crayfish need a body of water with a bottom high density from sand or clay (i.e., not silted). The presence of roots and pieces of trees, branches, stones is mandatory;

2) Water quality must be high. Crustaceans are a kind of "litmus test" of water purity. Crayfish will not live and breed in a polluted pool or pond;

3) Water must be enriched with oxygen and hydrogen. Optimal temperature regime for adult crayfish - +18°–+21° С, for babies - +21°–+24° С;

4) The mating process takes place every year. The period (mid-autumn or late winter) largely depends on the region. One male crustacean can fertilize up to three females. The female lays an average of 100–450 eggs, but approximately thirty crustaceans survive from them;

5) Nutrition in crayfish is varied, includes both plant and animal components. The "menu" includes various larvae, small fish, algae. Crustaceans are not engaged in purposeful obtaining of food, they grab only what is under their claw. You can also purchase special food, but crayfish are absolutely picky in food and can even eat ordinary porridge;

6) The danger for crayfish is made up of predatory fish, birds living near water bodies, waterfowl (otters, muskrats);

7) The most vulnerable crayfish are those that go through the molting stage and lose their shell. During this period, they hide as deep as possible and crawl out of the shelter only to eat. The molting process is irreversible, since at this moment the cancerous individuals go through the growth stage;

8) Crayfish habitats, poor in food, contribute to the development of cannibalism. Large crayfish eat small ones.

Created a favorable environment (properly equipped reservoir, plenty of food, high quality water, optimum temperature, lack of hunters) allows you to grow a commercial species in about three years. For many, this factor is a deterrent and questions immediately arise: “Is it profitable to breed crayfish? How can a business develop steadily under such a condition?”

Note that there are separate breeds of crustaceans that grow very quickly. For example, the "Cuban blue" crayfish grows to the size of an adult in just a year.

In addition, from the very beginning of the activity, it is possible to purchase young animals (one-year-old crustaceans) for its further cultivation and breeding.

Crayfish breeding: costs and profitability calculation

In order for the business plan for breeding crayfish to be effective and bring the expected economic effect, it is necessary to purchase female crayfish that already have live eggs on pleopods.

To grow 1 ton of crayfish, on average, about 450-550 fertilized females, caught from natural reservoirs, should be purchased. The female weighs an average of 150–160 grams, which means that the total live weight is approximately 80 thousand grams - 80 kg.


80 kg of crayfish at a price of 400 rubles * per 1 kg will cost 32 thousand rubles. You should also not forget about the costs of creating a place for growing individuals, solving organizational issues and buying food - about 200 thousand rubles *. As a result, the size of the starting capital will be about 232 thousand rubles.

We will calculate the profitability of crayfish breeding (taking into account the fact that the client base has already been developed, and the schemes for the delivery of goods have been calculated). For example, under favorable conditions, in one cycle, 500 females bring about 13 thousand small crustaceans.

On the market, the price for 1 kg of crayfish starts from 500 rubles. * Large individuals weigh 150-200 grams, which in total will be approximately 1.9-2.3 tons of ready-to-sell products. If we assume that the products will be fully sold at the specified cost, then the amount of income will be 950 thousand rubles. We calculate all costs from the amount received, and we get an approximate net profit - 700 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

From the calculations performed, it can be seen that breeding crayfish is a very profitable business. And if we take into account even the most minimal performance indicators of the business plan and the seasonal nature of the activity, then breeding crayfish at home still remains a profitable and promising business. In turn, the organization of year-round production will allow this type of activity to flourish throughout the year and bring a stable income both in the warm season and in the off-season.

* - all prices and calculations are for informational and approximate purposes only.

Reading 10 min. Published on 19.11.2019

The benefits of crayfish for the human body do not require proof, the demand for this delicacy is consistently high. The deterioration of the environment, as well as the use of barbaric fishing methods, have affected the decrease in the population of this species of invertebrates. That is why today the crayfish breeding business is a promising and profitable activity. Let us consider in more detail all the nuances of this business idea.

How to open a crayfish breeding business officially in the city - a documented minimum

To open an official crayfish breeding business in the city, you will first need to obtain a certificate confirming the status of an individual entrepreneur. Next, you need to register with the tax structure. An entrepreneur engaged in the cultivation of crayfish belongs to the producers of agricultural products, which means that a possible form of taxation may be the ESHN (Single agricultural tax).

To open a crayfish farm, you need to find a plot of land where a pond or several reservoirs will be built.

According to the law, certain conditions must be met:

  • The future businessman must be the owner of the site (the tenant will have big problems with paperwork when obtaining permits). On his land, he has the right to build a pond or other objects, and no one will interfere with this decision.
  • The reservoir can be used for the owner's own purposes , if during its construction urban planning, environmental and sanitary standards are not violated.
  • Pond should not be connected to natural water bodies.

Crayfish are bred for subsequent sale, therefore, it will be necessary to draw up a number of additional documents in order to sell invertebrates:

  1. Certificate for products in accordance with GOST R 50380 of 2005.
  2. Certificate issued by the veterinary service (form No. 2).
  3. Declaration , reflecting the compliance of the goods with all standards.
  4. For auto on which the crayfish will be transported, you must have a sanitary passport.

The above documents will be required for both individuals and legal entities.

What else do you need to know about breeding crayfish?

Naturally, documentation is an important component of a business. However, the conditions for growing crayfish are no less important.

To be acceptable, you need to study a lot of information and understand the following details:

  • Where to keep crayfish

Cancers can live and breed in vivo- in the nearest pond, rented. If it's about more profitable business, then it is better to equip an artificial reservoir or reservoirs (aquariums) on a personal plot and use an intensive method of breeding crayfish.

  • What equipment is required

For crayfish, water quality is a very important factor; having a pond alone is not enough. A set of special equipment - that's what you should take care of.

What does it consist of:

  1. From thermal insulation that maintains water at the specified temperature parameters. In fact, this function can be performed by a polycarbonate greenhouse.
  2. From a pond frame . It is usually made from polypropylene sheets. Such a material is durable, waterproof, quickly connected using polyfusion welding. The main advantage is that in relation to water it is neutral.
  3. Aerator or air compressor . This technique will not allow water to stagnate. Otherwise, the cancers will not survive.
  4. Oxidator . Its function is to oxygenate the water. This is especially important in winter for open ponds. Ice blocks the flow of oxygen.
  5. filters flow type – the filtration system removes toxic substances in the form of food residues and waste products of the inhabitants of the pond. It supports the vital activity of crayfish, allows production volumes not to decrease.
  6. If the quality of the water during breeding plays decisive role, then you can not do without measuring instruments , which determine its parameters: an oximeter (measures the concentration of oxygen), a selenometer (determines the hardness of water), a conductometer (evaluates the efficiency of filters).
  • What to feed crayfish

Cancers are omnivores. They feed on earthworms, insect larvae, and small snails. In an artificial reservoir, grain (steamed and chopped), boiled potatoes, grated carrots, fish, and meat are suitable for them.

The best option for feeding crayfish is to reproduce their natural habitat, excluding the negative facts in the form of the presence of predators . If the reservoir is filled with a food base (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and so on), then you can not buy expensive food. The introduction of organic matter and mineral fertilizers significantly improves the performance of the forage base. The main thing here is not to overdo it, so as not to increase the growth of vegetation in the water beyond measure.

There is a way to save on the purchase of fertilizers if you sow the bottom of the reservoir with legumes, oats, vetch, and so on. To do this, the pond is drained, and after sowing it is again filled with water. The method is environmentally friendly and cheap.

Where to buy crayfish for breeding at home and on an industrial scale?

To breed crayfish, it is not necessary to buy them. You can catch crayfish yourself in the nearest pond. Of course, you will need some experience and special equipment.

If there is no suitable lake / river nearby or you do not have skills in such a business, then you can buy crayfish from those who are engaged in catching them professionally or in a regular supermarket (on the market). The main thing is that the individuals are young, then you can count on a solid increase and a good income. .

Please note that there are no farms specializing in breeding crayfish in Russia. Therefore, regardless of the scale of the enterprise, it is necessary to independently engage in the selection of crayfish for divorce. We need viable and healthy individuals.

Features of crayfish breeding technology - selection and preparation of reservoirs

The choice of reservoir largely depends on the scope of the business. If this is a production scale, then it is more profitable to immediately invest (and considerable) in a crayfish farm.

It should consist of:

  1. hatching aquariums with heating.
  2. Pools for growing individuals - for yearlings. So called crayfish, whose age does not exceed one year.
  3. Outdoor and indoor pools to make production year-round.

However, you can start a cancer business with less expensive options:

  • Conditions in a natural pond

A natural reservoir has its advantages: you do not need to dig a hole, fill it with water, improve the bottom, and buy food in large quantities. Nature has taken care of everything. The only condition is the presence of a natural influx of water to eliminate the lack of oxygen. Complementary foods are also needed, otherwise the crayfish will begin to eat young individuals. Periodic cleaning of the bottom will be required so that the depth of the reservoir is two meters. In this case, crayfish will have favorable conditions for reproduction. However, even if all conditions are met, in the first few years you should not count on the profitability of the business.

  • Conditions of keeping at home (artificial reservoir)

What size should the pond be? Depth within 1.5-2 meters, area from 30 to 60 "squares". Clay is suitable as a soil. The bottom is laid out with stones so that there are gaps between them. These are future minks for crayfish. Mandatory drainage, equipped with a mesh of wood. The mesh will become an obstacle, and the crayfish will not leave their home.

Plants are planted around the pond. Crayfish care is easy.

They will thrive under the following conditions:

  1. Change water every 14-20 days, but not completely, only 30%.
  2. Periodically remove mud and clean the bottom. This will ensure enough oxygen in the water.
  3. The temperature of the water matters. Usually 21ºС. For babies, so that they grow quickly, - 24ºС.
  4. Monitor water hardness. The pH value should be between 7 and 8.5.
  5. Feed regularly in the evening or morning. Value daily allowance for cancer - 2% of its weight.
  6. If crayfish have brought offspring, then adults should be transplanted to another body of water (if any). Crayfish can eat babies. Young growth, having a hard shell, can be combined with old crayfish.
  7. For a profitable business, it is better to organize 3-4 reservoirs.

During the season, the female lays 100 eggs, about half of them survive. The annual offspring from one female is 25-50 crayfish. How long will it take for a population to reproduce itself? In 5 years, not before. Cancer maturation time is at least two years. During this period, it grows up to 12 cm and gains weight up to 200 grams.


Varieties of crayfish and their purchase - which species are easier and more profitable to breed?

There are two varieties of crayfish: long-toed and broad-toed. The second species is valued for its fleshy bellies, which are in demand in cooking "crayfish necks". However, the population of broad-toed crayfish has declined sharply. They ended up on the pages of the Red Book. In order not to have problems with inspection organizations, it is better not to breed this species.

Cancers are also divided into inhabitants of lakes and rivers:

  • lake crustaceans reach impressive sizes, they do not have a hibernation period - everyone is good for business at home. You need to be aware of the demands of this type of content. It is imperative for them to have warm room– 20 m².
  • crayfish characterized by smaller size and lower cost, although they are not as fastidious. So decide which individuals are more profitable to buy for breeding?

Another nuance is how many crayfish are needed. What should be their number per square meter of water? For artificial reservoirs, experts recommend the following density: six crayfish per square meter, one male per two females.

Profitability of a crayfish breeding and selling business: costs, start-up capital, maintenance, etc.

How much do you need to invest in a business if a crayfish farm is built on a plot of 1100 m² and will immediately have 20 reservoirs:

  • The construction of ponds will require about 290,000 rubles.
  • Equipment costs will amount to 2,800,000 rubles.
  • The cost of a piece of land is not less than 70,000 rubles.
  • The cost of food is 150,000 rubles.
  • Other expenses up to 200 100 rubles.

Total investment - 3,510,100 rubles.

Note to the entrepreneur . There is no rigid interconnection of infrastructure in the crayfish farm. Therefore, the figure should not be taken as mandatory. It is permissible to make only two indoor pools, and having received a profit, invest it in further development.


What will be the earnings - revenue for the year:

  • On average, a kilogram of crayfish costs 510 rubles.
  • During the year, 12,500 crayfish will grow, with a total weight of 2500 kg.

The annual revenue will be - 1,275,000 rubles.

Expenses throughout the year:

  • For electricity - 9,500 rubles.
  • For feed - 12,500 rubles.
  • Other expenses (transport, veterinarian, and so on) - 100,000 rubles.

Total expenses - 122,000 rubles.

Net profit will be: 1,275,000 122,000 = 1,153,000 rubles. Payback of the project is 3-4 years.

How and where to sell crayfish profitably: potential customers and important marketing nuances

The main advantage of this business is the lack of competition with a constant demand for products. So, marketing will be easy. Crayfish buyers can be supermarkets and small shops, restaurants and cafes. They tend to favor wholesale suppliers. Therefore, it is important to find in advance stores and catering outlets that are ready to buy crayfish all the time. . Then it remains to catch crayfish, issue a veterinary certificate and deliver the products to the customer.

By the way, salted crayfish caviar in terms of nutritional properties and taste is not much different from red caviar. This is one way to attract buyers. You can even sell cancer shells. There are various industries where they are used.

Conclusion

Breeding crayfish is a profitable business. After all, there are about the same number of people who want to eat crayfish as. This is an impressive market. Therefore, there will definitely be no problems with the sale of goods.

It is not necessary to start with the organization of a crayfish farm. You can use your own small area. Build on it only three ponds. Then the costs at the start will be significantly reduced: only 150,000 for the equipment of reservoirs and 60,000 rubles for the purchase of young animals in the amount of 600 individuals. A ton of crayfish can be obtained over several years. Having invested a little more than 200,000 rubles, in 2-4 years you can have an income of up to 1,000,000 rubles. Naturally, the calculation is approximate. Profit largely depends on the price at which crayfish are sold.

In comparison with, turkeys, and other living creatures, crayfish are much more profitable. There is less trouble with them - they are easier to maintain, they are easier to grow, and it is not difficult to find buyers.

  • Catch in the natural environment
  • wholesale resale

If you begin to study ways to build a business on crayfish, you will notice one interesting feature. Unlike many other products, the demand for cancer exceeds the supply. In other words, in principle, there are no problems with the sale of cancer and there should not be. This is due to the fact that, as a delicacy, crayfish is highly valued, but its cultivation under artificial conditions is very expensive, and the catch in the natural environment is limited.

Today we will talk about the five most famous ways to make money on crayfish.

Catch in the natural environment

The fastest and most affordable way to make money on crayfish is to catch them in their natural environment. Crayfish are caught on so-called crayfish traps or crayfish traps. Fresh chopped fish or mussels are used as bait. The shell is lowered to the bottom of the reservoir and checked every 3 hours.

This activity has its own challenges. First, the habitat of cancer is sharply limited. In large quantities, cancer is present only in fresh water with an oxygen content of 5 mg/l of water (as for salmon fish).

The bottom of the reservoir should be low-silt, with a large number of holes or stones. Second important point- fishing licence. Without obtaining a license for the industrial catch of crayfish, its production will be considered poaching. The official trapping of crayfish lasts approximately 3 months from July to August and from September to November.

There are restrictions on the size of the fishing gear. The size of the cells of the crayfish net must be at least 22 mm, and its diameter should not exceed 80 cm. In addition, each licensee is set a quota - the maximum allowable amount of crayfish caught per season. As a rule, this figure ranges from 5 to 10 tons. Finally, the third difficulty is the cost of starting.

Only to the inexperienced it may seem that the business of extracting cancer does not require costs. The main difficulties, according to experienced entrepreneurs, are related to the transportation and storage of the catch. Crayfish, lined with ice (as is done with fish), live for an hour or two, which is not acceptable. Therefore, refrigerators are used for transportation.

After delivery to the warehouse, the crayfish are placed in pools to wash off the dirt from them and sort them into aquariums. In such conditions, they will live up to 2 weeks. Subsequently, the cancer is sold to shops, supermarkets or is recycled. The average wholesale price for an individual is 30 - 45 gr. is 450 rubles / kg, and for an individual 65 -110 g - 900 rubles / kg.

You can’t build a big business on this, however, for individual entrepreneurs manages to earn several million rubles per season.

Crayfish cultivation technology in pond farming

A little more complicated, but at the same time a completely legal way to make money on cancer is to grow it in pond farming. This method is common only in the southern regions, since appropriate climatic conditions are required. Growth pools can be built along the shoreline of the reservoir.

If the pond for cultivation was natural, then it is pre-cleaned from weed fish, predators, pests and pathogens (beetles, dragonfly larvae).

The bottom of the reservoir is sown with agricultural crops, such as oats, wikis or legumes. Crayfish females are populated at the rate of 2 individuals for every 3 meters of the coastline. Or 600 females per hectare. One female gives approximately 1000 eggs from which only 60 crustaceans hatch.

A rough calculation shows that in order to obtain 5 tons of commercial crayfish per year, it will be necessary to populate at least 900 females. To do this, you can use a pond with an area of ​​​​1.5 - 2 hectares. Crayfish for reproduction are caught in natural conditions or purchased from third parties.

The largest cancer farms buy breeding stock abroad. So the most unpretentious and rapidly growing Australian freshwater crayfish is considered. In just a year of life, an individual gains weight up to 100 grams, which is considered the most profitable commercial mass.

Year-round cultivation in recirculating water systems (RAS)

Climatic conditions in many regions of the Russian Federation do not allow growing crayfish in an artificial reservoir. And the catch of cancer, as noted above, is far from being carried out everywhere. As a result, given delivery in some cities, cancer is obscenely expensive.

However, there is a way to grow cancer even in the conditions of the northern strip - this is the use of recirculating water supply units (RAS), which are installed in a closed, heated room. For more than a decade, fish have been grown with such installations, including sturgeon and carp species.

RAS is a system of small pools installed both on one plane and in several tiers (to save space). Pools are completed circulation pumps, air compressors, digital thermometers and biofilters.

With a single control module, you can set the desired temperature and oxygen level with a simple push of a button. Module for 6 sq. m. is able to accommodate up to 220 kg of crayfish. To grow 5 tons of crayfish per year, about 20 mini-pools will be required. Be that as it may, there are a number of reasons why the cultivation of crayfish in RAS has not become widespread (not yet)

Step-by-step plan to start building a business on crayfish

  1. Big investment. The acquisition of installations will require investments at the rate of 700 thousand rubles. for 1 ton. That is, to create a cancer mini-farm for 5 tons per year, you will need to invest 3.5 million rubles. only for equipment. Do not forget that there are still costs for arranging the premises and purchasing fry.
  2. Fixed expenses. The cost of keeping the heat in the room from the installation can "eat" all the profits. That is why many experts are unanimous in their opinion that the cultivation of crayfish in a RAS is beneficial only if there is gratuitous or subsidized heat (for example, from thermal power plants).
  3. Keeping in artificial pools will not allow you to get juveniles from crayfish. That is, female crayfish will not breed in such conditions. From here we get fixed costs for the purchase of juveniles.

wholesale resale

With a capital of several hundred thousand dollars, you can start a cancer reselling business. The fact is that many people know how to get cancer, but only a few know how to sell it profitably.

As a rule, freshly caught cancer is sold for 30 - 50% cheaper than the price that we see on the store counter. So, if a kilogram of cancer is sold in bulk to stores for 600 rubles, it means that wholesale organizations buy it for a maximum of 400-450 rubles, or even less. Income from one kilogram is on average 150 rubles, per ton, respectively, 150 thousand rubles, and from 10 tons - 1.5 million rubles.

An example of such a farm for keeping crayfish for sale can be seen in the following video:

What are the main funds spent on when creating a wholesale business. The first thing you need is a spacious room with an area of ​​​​at least 300 square meters. m. The room is equipped with pools for storing catch, sorting tables and refrigeration units.

It is also mandatory to have refrigerated vehicles for transporting cancer. For these purposes alone, at least 1.5-2 million rubles will be spent, not counting the cost of purchasing the catch.

Production of boiled and frozen crayfish

Another business idea in this industry is the production of boiled-frozen crayfish for beer. This product is in good demand in cafes, restaurants, pubs and private baths.

What does it look like this process in most businesses. To begin with, the caught crayfish is immersed in pools, where it is initially washed from dirt and impurities. Then it enters the sorting table, where it is manually selected right size instances.

Then, along the conveyor, the crayfish enters the oven, where it is boiled and acquires a reddish-orange color. Then the crayfish are again immersed in the bath, where they are finally washed and cooled. After that, the crayfish are manually sorted into baskets according to a single size range (45-55 gr., 55-70 gr., etc.). At the final stage, packaging takes place in plastic containers of 1 kg.

In this form, the product is delivered to the final consumer. This business is profitable to open in places of increased catching of crayfish or at large crayfish farms.

Which OKVED to indicate when registering a business

In the case of opening a business for growing crayfish at home, it is necessary to indicate the OKVED code 01.21 - breeding of domestic animals. If you plan to engage in the retail trade of crayfish in the future, then you must additionally indicate the OKVED code 52.23 - trade in fish, mollusks and crustaceans.

Professional business plans on the topic:

  • Crayfish breeding business plan (55 pages) - DOWNLOAD ⬇
  • Fisheries business plan (56 pages) - DOWNLOAD ⬇
  • Beekeeping Business Plan (44 pages) – DOWNLOAD ⬇

What documents are needed to open

Registering your own business related to cultivation and further sale is not difficult. To do this, you need to prepare documents such as:

  • a certificate confirming the registration of an LLC or individual entrepreneur;
  • application with a notarized seal;
  • copies of passport data and identification code;
  • receipt of payment of state duty.

Which taxation system to choose for business registration

The ideal option for choosing an affordable taxation system is the UAT (single agricultural tax), where interest rate is only 6%. You can also choose a simplified taxation system as an option.

Do I need permission to open

To open a business for growing and selling crayfish, you need to have a permit, the list of which includes: the conclusion of the sanitary and epidemiological service on the legal origin of the product and on safety; declaration of conformity; veterinary passport, certificate of compliance with GOSTs.

Farms for breeding crayfish in our time no longer surprise anyone. They successfully work and develop on the territory of the country and bring considerable income to their owners.

Dear readers! The article talks about typical ways to solve legal issues, but each case is individual. If you want to know how solve exactly your problem- contact a consultant:

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Choice of growing method

The amount of profit depends on which method of breeding crayfish is used at the enterprise: in an aquarium, in a home pond or

In aquarium

Today, crayfish can be grown for sale not only in rural areas, but also in the city. Now the city dwellers will smile with a smirk and go to evaluate the size of their bath. Only here they breed crayfish not in the bathroom, but in special large aquariums.

To begin with, it is better to rent a business premises and buy it out over time. Only after you have settled all the points with the lease, you can start buying aquariums. It is better to start with 10-15 pieces and if everything works out, then in a few months buy more.

Pros of breeding crayfish in aquariums:

  1. Easier to control the condition of pets.
  2. Less feed consumption.
  3. Water temperature control, which contributes to the accelerated development of young offspring.
  4. There is no long period of cold wintering, which allows the young to grow more efficiently, and the entrepreneur to get the first income faster by 3-4 months;
  5. You can populate crayfish larvae in aquariums and save on buying young animals or adults.

The process of growing crayfish is quite capacious and it is possible to make a profit only a year after starting the business.

Features of choosing an aquarium for crayfish:

  • The volume of the aquarium should be chosen from 250l.
  • The walls of the container must be made of strong plastic, or attached to the pool so that the metal does not come into contact with water.
  • It is better to choose products with low (up to 1m) walls and a wide bottom. This makes it easier to care for crayfish and keep the bottom of the aquarium clean.

At the current stage, the cultivation of crayfish in the pool as a business has proven itself well in urban and rural areas, where there are problems with water supply.

At home (artificial reservoir)

Growing crayfish in an artificial pond is considered by many to be the easiest and most inexpensive option for starting commercial crayfish farming. This option does not require a large investment. Provided that you have your own land: a summer cottage or a house in a suburban or rural area.

In order for the business to work, you must:

  1. Build a reservoir (optimal depth 1-3 m) and lay out the bottom with large stones and create conditions for crayfish to dig holes freely. Recommended pond area 30-60 sq.m.
  2. Make several concrete pools for overexposure and fattening of young livestock.
  3. Launch breeding stock or larvae.
  4. Stock up on the necessary feed.
  5. Provide the household with an additional source of water and a reliable stack so that water can be freely drained if necessary.

Growing crayfish at home has its own characteristics. In an artificial reservoir, it is necessary to change the water every 2-3 weeks. For the winter, it is better to completely catch all the livestock so that the crayfish do not suffocate under the ice, or to build a reservoir, which immediately increases costs. If the crayfish successfully overwinter, then the additional costs for insulation can be compensated for by the breeding stock, but you can take risks only if the depth of the reservoir is more than 2.5 meters.

A reservoir cannot be built in a sunny place!

In a natural reservoir

The easiest and most affordable way to breed crayfish in household- to launch the mother tribe or larvae into an ordinary natural pond. First you need to find a reservoir that meets the necessary requirements:

  • the presence of a rocky bottom and sandy shores;
  • suitable bottom for the construction of holes;
  • the reservoir should be environmentally friendly and have shaded shores. It is good if weeping willows grow on the banks of the reservoir, which create shade and coolness.

When growing crayfish in artificial and natural reservoirs, the main problem for farmers is poachers, who not only spoil and steal livestock with the help of crayfish, but also greatly reduce product prices. The way to deal with them is quite simple:

  • On your own and artificial ponds, you can stretch the net to the surface, install streamers with bells and hire watchmen.
  • You can create a group of farmers that will control the markets of the region and block the access of poachers to the wholesale buyer.
  • Guaranteed product quality and regular delivery is what all customers value and what poachers cannot guarantee.

To grow crayfish in a natural pond, it is necessary to allocate money for the purchase of livestock and feed. With this method of growing, feed costs are significantly reduced, but there is no way to control the temperature of the water, as a result of which crayfish will be 30% inferior in weight to their relatives who grew in a home pond or aquarium.

Preparatory work

Before investing a considerable amount in a business, you need to familiarize yourself with the cultivation of crayfish and the conditions for their maintenance in practice. In order to better understand and see everything, you can invite yourself to visit a similar farm and ask the owners as much as possible about the life and habits of their pets.

They will not reveal all the secrets to future competitors, but they will already have an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwork and how the farm should look like.

Today there is a lot of literature on the Internet and good advice, which will help to cope with problems in the course of work, but the recommendations of professionals are always very valuable.

Residence preparation

Crayfish live in burrows. This is their natural habitat, and before buying breeding stock, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for crayfish and bring them as close as possible to natural ones.

The rocky bottom, a lot of sand, pebbles and algae - this is what will allow the crayfish to feel at home in a new place.

If it is planned to grow crayfish in aquariums, then the day before the settlement of living creatures, it is necessary to start the entire system (if planting algae is planned, then a week before, simultaneously with planting greenery).

Adult female crayfish can eat their larvae and young. To avoid this, it is recommended to separate the adult stock from the young. This will require additional containers (aquariums or pools).

Proper preparation of a place for keeping and growing crayfish will greatly facilitate the process of settling and make the adaptation of the mother liquor painless and comfortable.

Acquisition of cancer families

Don't buy right away a large number of breeding stock. If the farm is small, then you can start with 100 females and 20 males. They can be bought at a farm that is engaged in a similar type of business or caught in a river. It is better to buy crayfish from specialists who can advise a species resistant to diseases and stress and tell you how to properly care for it in the first months.

Among the industrial types of crayfish, there are:

  • Australian crayfish (the most fleshy species, requires special care, suitable for growing in aquariums, uses small fish, compound feed, greens as food).
  • Blue Kuban crayfish (fast-growing species of medium size, does not tolerate temperatures above 26 degrees, loves stony, sandy soils with a lot of snags and burrows, omnivorous).
  • Marble crayfish (demanding to water temperature and prefers large aquariums, pools or artificial ponds). 20 adults will require neither less nor more - 100 cubic meters of water for their full growth and reproduction. The peculiarity of this species is that it reproduces by parthenogenesis (to itself and a female and a male). It is necessary to separate adults from young animals.

Enterprise start

In order for a business to work and bear fruit, it is necessary to take into account several important factors that are the key to success.

When to start breeding?

Starting a farm is very important in this type of business, as it is seasonal and most cancers do not tolerate wintering well.

The best time to lay a farm is the beginning of April, with the arrival of the first warm weather.

By the beginning of summer, each female will have eggs under the tail, which will detach after 10 days, and the process of laying eggs will begin in the female in a new circle. The offspring from these larvae will be ready for sale in a year. It is because of such a long period of growth that experts recommend starting a farm with young crayfish, which can be grown and sold this year, leaving a few individuals for reproduction.

Business registration

Every self-respecting entrepreneur and manufacturer registers his company before starting work. What does it give? Buyers have the confidence that they are clients of a reputable company, and the entrepreneur himself has the opportunity to calmly sell his products on the market and cooperate with shops and wholesalers.

This type of business is registered under the OKVED code 01.21, which indicates that the company is engaged in breeding pets.

For the right to retail, code 52.23 must be added, which indicates the right to retail fish and shellfish.

Purchase of feed

Crayfish are happy to eat feed, larvae, earthworms, greens, small bottom fish. It will not be difficult to buy compound feed - it is always available at the economic market or feed mills, which are full in every city. It is not difficult to stock up on greens on your own, but you will have to look for suppliers of mosquito larvae and earthworms.

The earthworm is often found in greenhouses, and mosquito larvae are grown by companies that are associated with the fishing business. Ask the sellers of rods and tackle who delivers bloodworms to them, and arrange regular delivery with this supplier.

Summing up

We have this species The business is relatively young, as it is mistakenly believed that huge investments are needed to develop a crayfish farm. The fact that it takes about a year to wait for the first sale of goods is not inspiring either. But fears go away and everything falls into place, if you understand the features of this business and calculate all the costs and approximate income.

How long does it take from inception to the finished product?

Raising crayfish is a business for people who work for results and know how to wait.

And you need to wait about a year from the first laying of the mother liquor to the sale finished products if livestock is grown in a pond.

With the aquarium breeding method or in indoor pools, where it is possible to control the water temperature, the sale of finished products is possible 3 months faster. This is due to the winter period, when crayfish are in a state of dormancy and eat very little. In a closed room, this process can be regulated.

Estimated costs

Considerable start-up capital is required in order to launch a large farm with modern equipment, but you can start small and divide the development of your business into several stages. To get started, you need to draw up a business plan for breeding crayfish and focus on several important factors in the calculations:

  • The value of the breeding stock, which fluctuates from 200 to 1000 rubles per 1 kg. depending on the type of crayfish and the season of purchase.
  • Way of breeding crayfish: indoors in aquariums, in an artificial reservoir or in a natural aquatic environment.
  • Purpose of goods: sale for breeding stock, sale of live products on the market, processing.

For the construction of one pond with an area of ​​60 sq.m. necessary 80-150 rubles(depending on depth). The bulk of the costs go to drainage pipes, waterproofing materials, drainage construction. For a year in this reservoir, if you run about 500 females (80 kg of breeding stock), can be grown up to 13 000(about 3.5 tons) of young animals, the market value of which ranges from 200-250 rubles per 1kg.

The minimum annual income from growing crayfish in a pond is 300-450 thousand rubles and fully covers the expenses for the construction of the pond, pools, the purchase of feed and mother liquor.

In order to run this type of business indoors, you must:

  1. Large high (up to 4 m high) room (the price varies depending on the location);
  2. Aquariums for keeping crayfish ( optimal size- 2m. wide, 3-4m. in length), sand and algae for filling the aquarium + compressors, pumps and thermometers for heating water. The cost of one aquarium equipped with everything you need fluctuates around 50 000 rubles.
  3. we must not forget about the food for crayfish. Bloodworms or earthworms are best. They can be bought from wholesalers who work for fish and fishing shops. On average, it takes about 20 thousand rubles.
  4. And, of course, the crabs themselves. One pool is designed for an average of 50 individuals (1 male for 4-5 females).

If it is not possible to invest a lot of money, then you can try the old-fashioned, long-proven method and grow a population of crayfish in a small natural pond. In this case, you will have to spend money only on breeding stock and additional feed. But to control the reproduction and migration of their pets in this case, alas, will not work.

Profit calculation

Growing crayfish on a home farm is a rather long and laborious process, but the farmer receives a hundredfold for his work. Even with the most costly method of growing crayfish - aquarium - all the costs of purchasing equipment and breeding stock pay off after the first year of cultivation.

If the river way of growing crayfish is less expensive, then when comparing “costs - profit”, preference, nevertheless, should be given to growing crayfish in a home pond.

With the right approach, despite the considerable costs, the profit is about 300 000 rubles from a 60 sq. m. and several small pools or small ponds. With the aquarium breeding method, it is very difficult to achieve such a profit in one season, even though the products are ready for sale several months faster.

Pitfalls of the crayfish business

Each business has its own secrets and pitfalls that must be taken into account in the work and included in the calculations of the business plan.

The following factors have a great influence on business development:

  1. Crayfish go for wintering under water, but do not hibernate. This means that severe freezing of water should not be allowed.
  2. Not all types of cancers are tolerated cold water and are intended for cultivation in a pond without heating.
  3. We must not forget about infectious diseases. Need to be done in a timely manner preventive work and stock up on medicines.
  4. Water for a pond or aquarium should be soft and not contain salt.
  5. Females with eggs should be immediately transplanted into a separate container and ensured that they do not eat them after they lay their eggs in the sand or mule.

If there is no experience in breeding crayfish, then it is better to start working with river breeding stock.

There are not so many pitfalls and they can only be recognized when independent work Or if there is an experienced adviser nearby.

Where do crayfish hibernate?

In the natural environment, crayfish hibernate in their burrow. They do not fall asleep, like frogs, and even crawl out to hunt. But they are very slow and consume a minimum amount of energy, do not gain weight.

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