Algal Booster

Characteristics of Algal Booster

It contains an extract from the brown algae, Padina pavonica, which significantly improves the uptake and fixation of calcium from the normal diet.
It is a homogeneous powder which can be easily incorporated into the feeds.
It contains natural pigments and specific amino acids present in marine alga.
It contains only natural substances, no hormones and no antibiotics.
Algal Booster is treated with an anti-caking agent thus enabling long-term storage on the farm without damage due to moisture and heat. It also contains calcium carbonate supplementing the quantity of calcium in the diet.
It is packaged in special containers that can be resealed after opening. This allows it to be stored for prolonged periods of time after the container is first opened.

The application of Algal Booster in the Broiler Industry

The most significant period with broiler breeders is from week 26 through to week 36. During this period the birds reach maximum egg output, fertility and hatchability. At this crucial time the demands on the breeder are at the highest level particularly regarding the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals, zinc and manganese.

Flocks faced with challenges such as low level of disease, or inadequate feed both of which can go unnoticed may result in reducing the bird’s ability to metabolize essential minerals and micronutrients into fertile eggs resulting in a loss of hatchability and chick numbers.

Method of Application

Algal Booster is premixed with the feed at 1 % incorporation rate (1 Kg Algal Booster for every tonne of feed). It is fed on a daily basis to the chickens.

Algal Booster is added to the diet on a daily basis from week 17 to week 36 to assist the bird to build up calcium deposits in the skeleton prior peak lay. At this critical time the inclusion of Algal Booster in the diet of breeders has been shown to have a positive effect on hatchability and chick numbers. In addition the use of Algal Booster has also been shown to have a positive effect on egg production and bone strength as well as aiding in mineral uptake, calcium and zinc both of which are important in chick development and hatchability. Through the use of Algal Booster, during the last 11 egg laying weeks, it is possible to increase the number of usable egg produced by over 8 %.

The application of Algal Booster in the Shrimp Industry

Algal Booster contains an Essential Growth Factor (EGF) which significantly improves the growth performance and survival rate of shrimps. Algal Booster can be used both in nurseries and growout ponds.

Method of Application

In nurseries, Algal Booster should be mixed to the artificial feed at a 5% incorporation rate. It is dissolved in water and fed directly into the tanks. Algal Booster should be supplied on a daily basis with every feed.
In growout ponds, Algal Booster is added to the feed on a daily basis at an incorporation rate of 1.5%. Common binders, such as molasses and fish oil, can be used to aid the incorporation of the Booster to the feed.

In nurseries, larvae treated with Algal Booster show an improvement in:

Survival
Final Average Weight
Swimming activity
Moulting to successive larval stages

Processing of food Shrimps treated with Algal Booster in growout ponds show a significant:

Increase in final average weight;
Increase in absolute growth rate; and
Lower FCR. Field

Trials carried out on Penaeus vannamei:

Field trials were carried out in Ecuador using four growout ponds. Two ponds were treated with Algal Booster, whilst the remaining two ponds were kept as controls. The average size of the earthen ponds was of 1.5 ha. The stocking density was of 100,000 post larvae / Ha.

Shrimps fed with Algal Booster reach a final weight of 15g in 97 days.
Shrimps fed with a standard diet reach a final weight of 15g in 112 days.

Therefore the use of Algal Booster allows the farmer to reduce the growth cycle by 15 days out of 112 days (13.4%).

The advantages of a shorter growth cycle are as follows:

Reduced Labour Costs
Reduced Feed Costs
Reduced Energy Costs
Better Utilization of Capital Investments
An added cycle in the production period leading to a bigger volume of sellable shrimps
Reduced risk of infection and disease through a shorter growing period
Overall better management and performance of the farm

The advantage of a lower Feed Conversion Ratio is:

It is possible to produce a larger quantity of biomass for the same amount of feed consumed. This allows the farmer to make more profit since profit is directly related to Feed Conversion Ratio.

The application of Algal Booster in the Fish Industry

Algal Booster is found to:

Improve the culture of life food in fin fish hatcheries. It increases the growth rate, survival, nutritional value (particularly the HUFA or PUFA) levels of artemia, daphnia and rotifers thus providing a richer source of nutrient for the juvenile fish.
Improve the culture of rotifers. It enables the prolonged use of rotifers in the hatchery thus reducing the need of artemia. This product can thus be used as an artemia replacement.
Maintain cleaner culture conditions, thus enabling better growth conditions with higher densities and reduced labour and material costs.
Improve the growth rate of juvenile fish, thus reducing the time needed to take fish out of the hatchery to the on growing / fattening farms. This reduces the running cost of the hatchery and improves productivity.

Method of Application

Algal Booster should be added to the feed at every stage of the growing period. It should be used as part of the enrichment in rotifer and artemia enrichment, at first feed as well as the weaning phase.

Algal Booster must be added a rate of 1% to the feed (10g Algal Booster for every 1 Kg of feed). Algal Booster should be mixed thoroughly with the feed in dry powder form on a weight basis in a dry container. The feed containing the Algal Booster should then be fed to the fish at the normal recommended feeding rate for that diet.