Page 57 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 83

He explained that he followed this system through
February, March and April, then set up his automatic
feeder to operate at 16 times a day from 6.30am to
10.30pm and began increasing the temperature to
about 18ºC to 19ºC at the beginning of May, preparing
his Koi for the BKKS National Show. At this time he said
he was using a higher protein food of about 35%.

Following the National Show at the end of June, Andy
increased the temperature to 22ºC and changed to a
high protein food of 40% to maximise growth and
continued this until mid-September when he lowered
the temperature to prepare for The All England Koi
Show.

One thing Andy mentioned, for the benefit of newer Koi
keepers entering their Koi into a Show for the first time,
was to stop feeding their Koi five days before the Show,
STOP FEEDING to empty their digestive tract and avoid polluting the
KOI BEFORE water during transportation and in the Show vats.
A SHOW, Following the Show, Andy increased the temperature
back to 22ºC and returned to feeding a 40% protein
TO AVOID food as there was still time to grow his Koi during
POLLUTING October. During the year while his Koi were enjoying the
higher temperatures, Andy fed a handful of silkworm
THE WATER pupae which is high protein. At the beginning of
November, Andy started to reduce the temperature
during the month and began feeding 35% protein food,
and by the beginning of December had reduced the
temperature to 12ºC, he stopped using his automatic
feeder and returned to feeding a low protein, wheatgerm
based food of about 30% protein, to prepare his Koi for
the winter.

Andy pointed out, that he carried out this procedure
because he took his Koi to Shows and needed to
reduce the temperature to minimise the risk of his Koi
getting white spot, which is induced by a sudden drop
in temperature. Another point he made, was that if he
wasn’t showing his Koi he would have a longer growing
season, keep a higher temperature and feed a high
protein food all through the Summer until October.
Andy said, that this is just a guide and each year is
different, it’s a case of watching the weather and
responding to what it brings.
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