Koi can be compared to Pavlov’s dogs. They quickly learn that by coming to the side of the pond with open mouths, they get fed. It is not from hunger that they collect there when they see you. It is a learned behavior.
Before you start to feed them, you may want to consider the mechanics of your pond. When the water warms to 50F, we all open our ponds, get the filter running and become ready for summer. It is not summer at 50F during the day. And nights are even colder. We want to be certain that there are no more frosts or freezes coming.
About the basic bacteria that will be necessary to convert excess ammonia that results from feeding: Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter will not even be activated before the pond water is a steady 55F. So, what will you do about the ammonia (or ammonium) when you start at 50F because “they look hungry!” With spring weather, it could take almost a month, or at least a couple of weeks for the water to warm from 50-55F under normal conditions.
You can add MICROBE-LIFT/PL! That will help to break down the new fish poop. But one of the initial by-products will be … ammonia! The answer to “WHEN DO I START FEEDING” is at 55F. Add your MICROBE-LIFT/PL and the NITE OUT II at the same time, 55F. That’s the ideal time to start feeding 😊
