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koi hand feeding

 





 


khaku2
Novice


Nov 1, 2003, 2:36 PM

Post #1 of 12 (2627 views)
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koi hand feeding Can't Post
how can you get your koi to eat with your hand, ive tried many times i only got my glodfish to eat from my hand,not my koi.thanks in advance

the koi i have know are 1 kyomuromu,1 tancho ??????,1 3 step kohaku,i sanke,and 1 butterfly sanke.

my email is thekoboy@earthlink.net

please respond at my email





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micky
Koi Lover

Nov 1, 2003, 6:07 PM

Post #2 of 12 (2622 views)
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Re: [khaku2] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
Some kois has shyness in their genes, start by getting a chagoi, some hobbists call this the "leader fish". You need lots of patient to get the first koi to come close, then gently release some food pallets, do this over a few days, maybe weeks and you should see results. Many threads discuss this topic in more details - good luck!
Regards, Micky


Wolfie
Koi Lover


Nov 5, 2003, 4:50 AM

Post #3 of 12 (2592 views)
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Re: [khaku2] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
Patience is what you need to hand feed your fish. Lots of patience. *laughs* Every fish has a different personality and you will quickly learn who are the bravest. (or just the hungriest!)

When the water is warm is the best time to teach them to hand feed.

The trick I used was to get some flake food, take a pinch of it and put the tips of your fingers in the water. Bits of the flake food fall off and drift down. This only works when the koi are paying attention, but what happened for me was that they ate the bits that were falling since it was furthest away from the horrible humans. Gradually they got closer and closer, especially when other koi were beating them to the food. It took about a week, but my fish did eventually come and nibble it out of my fingers.

The only draw back is that the flake food might cloud your water a bit, so make sure you only use a little bit at a time. Good luck with your fish!
Wolfie



khaku2
Novice


Nov 6, 2003, 10:12 AM

Post #4 of 12 (2572 views)
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Re: [Wolfie] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
i heard the chagoi would eat from your hand from the start,well i dont know where to find one, besides i live on the bay area ( california ) well if you could give me some advice on how to hand feed koi, i dont think i can learn how to feed them in the winter huh? well i love talking to you, you give me wonderful advice thank you friend and please reply





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Wolfie
Koi Lover


Nov 7, 2003, 1:23 AM

Post #5 of 12 (2558 views)
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Re: [khaku2] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
I hope the flake food trick works for you. It is always worth a try as it isn't complicated. Just try to remain still when you do it as any motion startles nervous koi. I am not sure how much difference the chagoi makes as I don't own one. I have heard they are supposed to be much more laid back, so more willing to feed from your hand. It is rare for a koi to feed from your hand right from the start.

What sort of temperature is your pond water at the moment? How long ago were your fish introduced to the pond?

A lot of fish will just hide for days when you first introduce them, especially if they are the first fish in the pond. If the water temperature is below 10C (50F) they likely won't be enthusiastic enough for the food to learn to feed from your hand. I am living in Wales so the temperature is quite cold already here, you will definitely be warmer. Sly

You will get them feeding from your hand eventually, don't worry. Koi love their food too much to pass up the opportunity. Everyone said that I wouldn't get my koi to feed from my hand because they live along side orfe (which tend to be quick swimmers and scare the koi), but they all swim together in a happy little shoal. All my koi have fed from my hand and this summer I almost got one of the orfe to feed as well! It is definitely an experience worth waiting for.

Good luck with your fish!
Wolfie



khaku2
Novice


Nov 7, 2003, 10:33 AM

Post #6 of 12 (2551 views)
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Re: [Wolfie] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
all my koi are dead a racoon killed them all, over 400 dollars down the drain my god i dont even know if i should keep koi anymore,please remember my koi

eric





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Love_koi
Koi Lover

Nov 7, 2003, 5:00 PM

Post #7 of 12 (2544 views)
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Re: [khaku2] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
Man, are you serious!?
Take some pics of your pond......I'm sure we can get some ideas on how to make your pond racoon proof. I built a large metal net dome over my pond.


Wolfie
Koi Lover


Nov 7, 2003, 7:53 PM

Post #8 of 12 (2541 views)
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Re: [khaku2] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
I am really sorry to hear about your koi. I can't even image what that is like and nor do I want to as I am very attached to my fish.

If you do wish to start again, there are many ways to try and predator proof your pond. Things from a line of electric fencing around the edge to the metal cages that has already been mentioned. Best to ask those stateside, as there are no racoons in Britain and I know they are very intelligent.

Best of luck for the future.
Wolfie



kgt1223
Member


Jan 5, 2004, 8:33 PM

Post #9 of 12 (2414 views)
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Re: [khaku2] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
The trick is to let them go hungry for a few days. Don't worry they will be fine. When u feed them, lay down and put your hand in the pond with cooked shrimp or chicken...Small piece. They will not come running but if u squeeze the shrimp between your finger tips to get some of the juice in the water you'll see them start to hunt. They will eventually find there way to your hand which should be well under water and motionless. When they begin to get near, grind up the goody very carefully between your finger tips without moving your hand to very much so that some of the tasty treat starts floating from your hand to the bottom. One of them will inevitably begin to eat the offering. Continue to drop a bit from your finger tips of and on. Always make sure that a piece is sticking out of your hand in case they decide to grab it right from you. The most important thing is to not startle them by any sudden movements. Continue to do this in the same spot every day. Be patient. It only takes one to start eating out of your hand and the next thing you know they will be leaping over each other to get to you. Once you have fish in your pond that will eat out of your hand, any additional fish that u add to your pond will follow suit almost immediately...Monkey see monkey do :) There is nothing more gratifying than having your koi eat from you hand. There are many in my pond that love for me to rub there lips and whiskers... Couldn't tell u why, just know that they like it :) Hope this helped, Kiefer
KIEFER


BranMuffin
Koi Kichi


Jan 5, 2004, 11:53 PM

Post #10 of 12 (2411 views)
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Re: [kgt1223] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
Great input Kiefer. Also if they're small fish, you could cut the Shrimps into thin strips. i.e. split it in half, then split the halves in half again.

Thanks for your contribution.

Best Regards
Bran

A Koi Pond is never FINISHED, it's always subject to improvement.
Drives the Spouse Crazy!


geri
Koi Lover


Jan 7, 2004, 2:10 AM

Post #11 of 12 (2388 views)
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Re: [kgt1223] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
Well said Kiefer ! When I first got my babies (2 of them), I too wanted to hand feed them. Of course for the first few days, they tend to be afraid, shy, etc. But, when your babies are hungry and the only way to get the food is by surfacing and eat it from the hand which is holding the food, the boldest one will come up first and before you know it, the rest will follow. Just be patience and in no time, your babies will be eating from your hand too.

I hand feed my babies every day and I enjoy doing it very much. My hubby loves it too. We handfeed them twice a day and my babies are always every ready for feeding time and they also love sucking our fingers...Smile

Best of luck,
Geri


khaku2
Novice


Jan 10, 2004, 1:42 PM

Post #12 of 12 (2356 views)
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Re: [micky] koi hand feeding [In reply to] Can't Post
i'll try that thanks





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