The feeding machine at the pond

Foreword

The following information is a guide to help you get your bearings. There are still many individual influences on the feeding behavior of koi. To name just a few: weather, health, age, water parameters, the food itself. It is therefore also important to check the behavior of the koi. If the koi don't eat everything, the amount of food should be reduced. Unused feed in the pond or in the filter system is bad for the system. Over time you will develop a feeling for this and adjust the amount of food accordingly.

Amount of food

With the amount of feed, there are many indications of how much should be fed. From 20° we recommend feeding 0.8-1.5% of body weight, later called feed factor. This factor has a significant influence on the growth of the koi. If the temperature is lower or above 25°, the amount of food should be reduced again. Make sure that the food has been eaten within 5-10 minutes and that not everything ends up in the filter system.

Calculation of body weight (per koi):

Obesity Factor

Feedings depending on the temperature

The following gradations can help with the number of feedings as a guide. Koi under the age of one need to be fed much more often, so this information relates to feeding koi from the age of one.

• from 8° once 20% daily
• from 15° 100% divided into 2 times a day
• from 20° 110% divided into 3 times a day
• from 22° 120% divided into 4 times a day
• from 24° 100% divided into 3 times a day
• from 26° 80% divided into 3 times a day
• from 28° 60% divided into 2 times a day
• from 30° 40% divided into 1 time per day

Choice of the automatic feeder office

There are different feeders. Those with a fixed ejection, where the same amount is always given, those with a snail or turntable and belt machines, where the feed lies on a belt, which is then continuously pulled forward with a clockwork and feed continuously falls out. We do not recommend the latter for koi keeping, as it is difficult to determine the amount and time of feeding.

Recommended feeders

Linn professional automatic feeder 5 kg

This automatic feeder is well suited for outdoor use and indoor use. The capacity is 5kg. Pellets of 4-9mm can be fed. Furthermore, 100 feedings can be set individually. The controller is connected directly to the power supply with a 10m long cable. A turntable ensures that the food falls out at the time of feeding.

AquaForte automatic fish feeder 8L incl. Solar/battery option

This automatic feeder is also suitable for outdoor use as well as for indoor use. The capacity carries 8l but can be expanded to 15l. Up to 8 feedings per day can be set with a feed quantity of 5-30g per ejection. The number of ejections per feeding can also be set. The machine is suitable for pellets from 2-12mm and also offers a compartment for desiccant to keep the feed dry. The machine can be operated either with batteries, rechargeable battery, directly on the electricity or solar panel. Here, a drawer with the feed ration is extended during feeding.

Location of feeder

Position the feeder so that it is not too close to the water. The koi shouldn't hurt themselves if they jump. The distance also usually helps to reduce moisture in the feeder.

Final Tips

Fill the feeder for a maximum of one week. Set up protected from the sun and clean the machine regularly. Hand-feed the first or last ration of the day to keep an eye on koi behavior.

If you have any questions or would like advice on feeding your pond, do not hesitate to contact us. We're happy about every Feedback. Do you have an idea for a blog? Then let us know as well. We look forward to your question.

Your koikichi.ch team.