COST-ANALYSIS OF FORCED-AIR SYSTEMS FOR INCUBATION OF CHANNEL CATFISHEGGS

Cost estimates were developed for equipping egg incubation troughs for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to operate with forced air deli vered via air stones or perforated pipe rather than with traditional g ear motors and shaft-mounted paddles. Capital and operating costs were compared on a per-trough basis for the three configurations. A partia l budget was developed to evaluate conversion from the traditional con figuration to each of the forced-air configurations. Although forced-a ir configurations appear to be less expensive to install and operate, cost estimates suggest that two to four operating seasons may be requi red to recover the cost of converting an existing motor-and-paddle con figuration to forced air.