Impact of using raw or fermented manure as fish feed on microbial quality of water and fish

The microbial water and fish quality was assessed due to feeding of chicken manure (CM) and fermented chicken manure (FCM) to fish in ponds, using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) which were classified into 7 groups (G). Each group received different mixtures of CM or FCM with fish ration (FR), 0:100, 25:75, 50:50 and 100:0 (%CM or FCM:% FR). The obtained results revealed that total bacterial count (TBC) and total coliform count (TCC) were significantly high at P ⩽ 0.05 in CM than both FCM and fish ration (FR). Escherichia coli and Salmonella were isolated from CM but not from FCM or FR. Additionally, TBC and TCC were significantly high at P ⩽ 0.05 at water and fish samples raised at CM ponds followed by FCM ponds in comparison with FR. Both E. coli and Salmonella were isolated from water and fish raised in ponds receiving either CM or FCM with higher incidence in those with CM. However all water and fish samples examined were free from E-coli O157: H7. The obtained results, proved the influence of CM on water and fish quality and recommend the use of FCM as a bacteriologically safe fish pond fertilizer.