Will crayfish die during pond drying in the crayfish farming process?

Crayfish will not die from pond drying. Moreover, the process of pond drying can increase the oxidation capacity of the pond bottom sludge, reduce the organic matter content and thereby reduce oxygen consumption in later farming, while also killing large amounts of bacteria, pathogens and so on in the sludge.

How is pond drying done in crayfish farming?

1. Lower the pond water, or if the crayfish have already been almost completely caught, drain the water directly and dry the pond. The drying time should basically be at least 10-15 days. The standard is that the pond sludge is dried and cracked with gaps of 2-3 cm, at least 10 cm deep, and a person standing on it does not sink in.

2. Pond drying should be carried out as early as possible. Because when draining water to dry the pond, the water level drops relatively low, and the lowered water level forces crayfish to dig burrows at low water levels, while female crayfish that have mated enter the burrows to prepare for spawning. Therefore, lowering the water level to dry the pond can force crayfish to dig burrows and mate.

3. Generally, pond drying is scheduled to be completed before mid-August to mid-September, which is also the peak period for crayfish mating and spawning. Lowering the water level lets crayfish dig burrows and spawn at low water levels; after they spawn and hatch the young, during overwintering or after early spring, the water level can be raised to force them out of the burrows, allowing the young crayfish to grow and develop earlier.