Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:38:45.022Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Management of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

Ross G. Cooper
Ross G. Cooper
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
Get access

Abstract

Ostrich chick production is highly management intensive. An artificial production system should be able to provide adequate protection to ostrich chicks up to four weeks of age. Factors influencing the successful growth of chicks include the provision of proper housing, adequate ventilation, exemplary hygiene and correct dietary requirements. Inadequate nutrition is commonly the cause of microbial infections. It is important for the producer to do an accurate on-farm cost management appraisal, the greatest variable production cost being feed. There is need to generate more finance for further research on ostrich chicks, and the development of an integrated system between producers, ostrich producer associations and industry in order to maximise productivity and economies of scale.

Keywords

Ostrichchickmanagementproducer
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , March 2000 , pp. 33 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allwright, D.M., Burger, W.P., Geyer, A. and Wessels, J. (1994) Avian pox in ostriches. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 65: 23–25Google ScholarPubMed
Angel, R. (1996) On-farm economics. The American Ostrich Association Congress “Ostrich Fest 96” pp. 1–13Google Scholar
Bezuidenhout, A. and Burger, W.P. (1993) The incidence of tibiotarsal rotation in the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 64: 159–161Google ScholarPubMed
Bezuidenhout, A.J., Penrith, M.L. and Burger, W.P. (1993) Prolapse of the phallus and cloaca in the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 64: 156–158Google ScholarPubMed
Bezuidenhout, A., Burger, W.P., Reyers, F. and Soley, J.T. (1994) Serum-and bone-mineral status of ostriches with tibiotarsal rotation. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 61: 283–289Google ScholarPubMed
Bray, S. and Sales, J. (1998) The influence of litter type on the behaviour of ostrich chicks. The Ostrich News 04, pp. 28 and 31Google Scholar
Brown, C.R. and Prior, S. (1998) Development of body temperature regulation inostrich chicks. British Poultry Science 40: 529–535CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bubier, N.E., Lambert, M.S., Deeming, D.C., Ayres, L.L. and Sibly, R.M. (1996a) Time budget and colour preferences (with specific reference to feeding) of ostrich (STrUthio camelus) chicks in captivity. British Poultry Science 37: 547–551CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bubier, N.E., Deeming, C. and Ayres, L.L. (1996b) Behaviour of ostrich chicks in captivity: an analysis of time budgets. British Poultry Science 37 (Supplement): S13–Sl4Google Scholar
Cavanagh, C. (1995) Ostriches egged on by doc. Health and leisure section. Cape Times 17 10, P. 7Google Scholar
CFX (1999) CFX Favex Rates. Eastlea, HarareGoogle Scholar
Cilliers, S.C. (1998) Feedstuff evaluation, metabolisable energy and amino acid requirements for maintenance and growth in ostriches. Proceedings of the 2nd International Ralite Conference, 21–25 09, Oudtshoorn, South Africa, pp. 12–23Google Scholar
Cilliers, S.C. and Van Schalkwyk, S.J. (1994) Volstruisproduksie. Technical booklet. Little Karoo Agricultural Development Centre, Oudtshoorn Experimental Farm, OudtshoornGoogle Scholar
Collier, C. (1991) Ostrich farming has become a big business. Journal of Ostrich News Annuals 3: 158Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1996) Ostrich Rearing – A Possible Investment Opportunity in the United Kingdom and Europe. A Report on the Viability of Ostrich Breeding and the Possible Implications for Investment. Paper submitted to The Ostrich Producers' Association of Zimbabwe (TOPAZ), HarareGoogle Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999a) Ostriches: heads out of the sand. The Farmer 69(37): 25Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999b) Zimbabwean ostrich industry strategies into the 21st century! Ostrich Farmer Forum 3(17): 4–5Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999c) Critical Success Factors for the Zimbabwean Ostrich Industry. MBA dissertation, Nottingham Trent University, NottinghamGoogle Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999d) Environmental analysis of the Zimbabwean ostrich industry. The Farmer 69(41): 16–17Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999e) A discussion on ostrich chicks. Ostrich News 3: 1, 3–9Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999f) Struisvogelkuikens: een nimi overzicht. N.S.O. Nieuwsbrief 31: 8–12Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999g) A study to assess the critical success factors of ostrich farming in Zimbabwe. Ostrich Farmer Forum 3(14): 2 and 3(15–16): 4–5Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999h) Ostrich egg management. World Poultry (in press)Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999i) Challenges facing local ostrich industry. Independent Farming 22–28 10, p. 25Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. (1999j) Producer assessment of the service quality provision in the Zimbabwean ostrich industry. The Farmer 69(45): 27Google Scholar
Cooper, R.G. and Benson, F.V. (1999) Soyabean meal, an important component of ostrich diets. World Poultry (in press)Google Scholar
Deeming, D.C. and Ayres, L. (1994) Factors affecting the rate of growth of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks in captivity. Veterinary Record 135: 217–222Google ScholarPubMed
Deeming, D.C., Ayres, L. and Ayres, F.J. (1993) Observations on the commercial production of ostrich (Struthio camelus) in the United Kingdom: rearing of chicks. Veterinary Record 132: 627–631CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Errington, A. (1992) Developing talents and teambuilding. Farm Management 8: 101–110Google Scholar
Gandini, G.C., Burroughs, R.E. and Ebedes, H. (1986) Preliminary investigation into the nutrition of ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus) under intensive conditions. Journal of the South African veterinary Association 57: 39–42Google ScholarPubMed
Hallam, M.G. (1992) The Topaz Introduction to Practical Ostrich Farming. Superior Print and Packaging, HarareGoogle Scholar
Hayter, D. (1998) Veterinary problems of ostriches. Farming World 24(3): 61–64Google Scholar
Hirabayashi, M., Matsui, T., Yano, H. and Nakajima, J. (1998) Fermentation of soyabean meal with Aspergillus usamii reduces phosphorus excretion in chicks. Poultry Science 77: 552–556CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jeffrey, J.S., Chin, R.P., Shivaprasad, H.L., Meteyer, C.H. and Droual, R. (1994) Proventriculus and ventriculitis associated with zygomycosis in ostrich chicks. Avian Diseases 38: 630–634CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kolb, J., Kankondi, R. and Hubschle, O.J. (1993) Isolation of Chlamydia spp. from ostriches (Struthio camelus). Deutsche Tierarztliche Wochenschrift 101: 88–91Google Scholar
Lambrechts, H., Huchzermeyer, F.W. and Swart, D. (1998) Integrated ostrich behaviour in commercial farming systems. Proceedings of the 2nd International Ratite Conference, 21–25 09, Oudtshoorn, South Africa, pp. 1–2Google Scholar
March, L. (1995) Ostriches – a curious bird indeed. Pet Column for the Week, 9 10, pp. 1–2Google Scholar
Mushi, E.Z., Isa, J.F., Chabo, R.G. and Segaise, T.T. (1998a) Growth rate of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks under intensive management in Botswana. Tropical Animal Health and Production 30: 197–203CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mushi, E.Z., Isa, J.F., Chabo, R.G., Binta, M.G., Kapaata, R.W., Ndebele, R.T. and Chakalisa, K.C. (1998b) Coccidia oocysts in the faeces of farmed ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks in Botswana. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 65: 281–284Google ScholarPubMed
Paleari, M.A., Camisasca, S., Beretta, G., Renon, P., Corsico, P., Bertolo, G. and Grivelli, G. (1998) Ostrich meat: physico-chemical characteristics and comparison with turkey and bovine meat. Meat Science 48: 205–210CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Paxton, C.G., Bubier, N.E. and Deeming, D.C. (1997) Feeding and pecking behaviour in ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks in captivity. British Poultry Science 38: 151–155CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Penrith, M.L., Bezuidenhout, A.J., Burger, W.P. and Putterill, J.F. (1994) Evidence for cryptosporidial infection as a cause of prolapse of the phallus and cloaca in ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus). Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 61: 283–289Google ScholarPubMed
Philbey, A.W., Button, C., Gestier, A.W., Munro, B.E., Glastonbury, J.R., Hindnarsh, M. and Love, S.C. (1991) Anasarca and myopathy in ostrich chicks. Australian Veterinary Journal 68: 237–240CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Raidal, S.R., Gill, J.H. and Cross, G.M. (1996) Pox in ostrich chicks. Australian Veterinary Journal 73: 32–33CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Raines, A.M. (1998) Restraint and housing of ratites. Veterinary Clinics of North America – Food Animal Practice 14: 437–453CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rogers, M. (1998) Ostrich farming. Farming World 24: 59–61Google Scholar
Schmitt, J. (1997) Maximum growth of ostrich for slaughter. Australian Ostrich Association Journal January, pp. 1–2Google Scholar
Shivaprasad, H.L. (1993) Neonatal mortality in ostriches: an overview of possible causes. Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, pp. 282–285Google Scholar
Smith, W.A. and Sales, J. (1995) Feeding and feed management. In: Practical Guide for Ostrich Management and Ostrich Products (Smith, W.A., Ed.), An Alltech Inc. Publication, Stellenbosch, pp. 8–19Google Scholar
Swart, D. (1982) The Ostrich Industry in the Little Karoo of the Republic of South Africa. Oudtshoorn Experimental Farm, OudtshoornGoogle Scholar
Terzich, M. and Vanhooser, S. (1993) Postmortem findings of ostriches submitted to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Avian Diseases 37: 1136–1141CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Zyl, P. (1997) The South African Ostrich Industry. Presented at the Global Affair 1997, AlbertaGoogle Scholar