Category Archives: Ostrich

Ostrich Products, Characteristics and Breeding

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Surely, the ostrich can be classified to be the largest among all the living birds on the face of the earth. The adult males can reach to the height of about 2.4 m together with a weight of about 100 KG. Although they are categorized among the birds, they are unable to fly. The reason for this can be linked to their huge body size due to which they are unable to go for a flight. Other Ostrich Characteristics include a long neck, lengthy legs and their running speed. Their long legs are what that enable the ostrich to run at a speed of about 70 KMPH. Not to forget their strides which are extended up to 8m. Below are some more Ostrich Facts.

Sexual Features and Characteristics

At the age of 4 to 5 years, the wild ostriches are able to engage in the process of reproduction. On the other hand, the domesticated ostriches are able to do the same at the age of 3 to 4 years. The black and white plumage appears on the body of the male ostriches at the times of maturity. For the females, the plumage appears to be of a dull coloring. When the ostrich mating time arrives, the plumage attains a more bright color while the skin transforms its color to bright red.

ostrich characteristics

Soon after the birth, the male and females appear to be quite the same, but can be distinguished through the examination of their sexual organs. It can be quite difficult at that time because the size of the penis in the males is quite small, thus it can be confused with the female’s clitoris. When the birds reach the age of about 7 to 8 months, the gender can be determined on the basis of their urination styles. A complete distinction among them is possible at the age of 2 years. The wing quills among the males turn out to be pure white, while for the females they are marked in terms of the grey and black colored rings. Moreover, the feathers on the tail happen to be white or yellowish brown for the males and mottled light and dark grey for the females.

Mating or Breeding of Ostrich

In terms of the breeding patterns for ostriches, the males are polygamous i.e. they are well able to mate with more than 1 females at the same time. This pattern also holds true for the domesticated Ostrich Farming settings where the ostriches are mated in pairs, duos and trios. At times of the breeding season, the male ostriches make stylized sounds and wing movements in order to attract the females towards them. At the same time, the females place their wings in the horizontal direction, thus signaling the male for the start of the Ostrich Mating process. In order to initiate the process, the female crouches so that the male might be able to allow his penis to enter into her cloaca. The process of consummation continues with the male’s groaning sound while the female shakes her head during the process.

ostrich mating

There are special environmental settings in which the Ostrich Eggs are laid. The female is able to lay the eggs soon after the mating process is complete. The females which are highly fertile are able to lay around 80-100 eggs sequentially while the breeding season progresses. Now if the eggs might not be removed, the female will prefer to incubate the eggs during the day time, while the male would incubate them till dawn for facilitating the Hatching Eggs. So, for the commercial farming, it is imperative that the eggs are removed at least twice a day. Now here, if the female would be allowed to incubate the eggs, she is going to stop the egg laying process for a period until her chicks reach the age of about 4 to 5 weeks, thus leading to an increased financial loss for the farmers.

The Breeding Season

Ostriches are categorized to be seasonal breeders, as they are only able to mate at specific times of the year. On an average pace, the breeding season for the birds last for about 6 to 8 months on a yearly basis. This timing can indeed vary depending upon the factors of latitude and longitude at different locations. In the regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the breeding process starts during the month of March and ends in August/September. For the regions of the Southern Hemisphere, the season commences in Aug/July and lasts till March.

How to Breed Ostriches

Before you plan to invest in the ostrich business, it is better to have an overview of the market saturation and the profits that are linked with it. For the purpose of breeding ostriches successfully, below are some instructions which you would need to follow.

1. Properly allocate a breeding space to the ostriches and replant the paddocks so that the chances for the microbes to infect the eggs might be reduced. Bags.

2. Keep the males and females separately before the breeding season in order to notch up their moods for the mating process.

3. Allow the ostriches to select their partners freely and naturally by allowing to be the grouped with each other.

4. Try to be careful at times of collecting the eggs, as the males can turn out to be aggressive while protecting their eggs.

5. Use a good quality incubator for the process of incubation. Furthermore, the temperature should be maintained around 96 to 99.5 Degrees F.

6. Turn the eggs for 5 to 24 times on a daily basis.

7. 3 to 5 days before the hatching time, you should transfer all the eggs to some separate incubators.

incubating of ostrich eggs

Ostrich Products

A large variety and classes of ostrich products are now being produced for the Ostrich Markets, due to which they are now being referred to as the Farms of the Future. The reason for which they are preferred these days is due to their meat, feathers, eggs and the hide. The feathers are used for cleaning of machines, equipments and for decoration as well as in fashion industry. The ostrich leather is the most expensive among others and is used for making shoes, jackets and bags. The meat that is produced by them tastes similar to beef and related products. Moreover, the meat also contains lower levels of fat in comparison to other types of meat. The eggs that are laid by the ostriches are the largest in size among all the birds in the world. In addition to their usage for meat and leather, they are also being studied and explored for medical purposes.

ostrich products

Ostrich Physical Chracteristics And Marketing

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Ostrich is the recently domesticated bird. Ostrich is the largest known bird and some scientists believe that the present bird developed from ancestors that were capable to flight. The ostrich of today cannot fly, but does run well and is capable of speeds of 50 miles per hour with strides of 15 feet (for very large bird the stride may be 20 feet or more). The feet of the ostrich have only two toes, the only bird the that does while emus, Rhea and Cassowary has three toes. Ostriches characteristically share with emu, Rhea and Cassowary. The ostrich is well-adoptable bird and that can thrive in different environments.

Physical Appearance

A male ostrich range between 6 and 9 feet, while females  between 5.5 and 6.5 feet tall at maturity. The  chicks of ostrich grow about 10 inches per month in the first year and weigh about 40 kg at a age of12 months.  The Adults ostrich usually  have weigh between 60 to 132 kg. Domesticated ostriches gain maturity at 2 to 3 years of age. Females are mature about 6 months earlier than males. Ostriches normally live for 30 to 70 years in captivity.

ostrich eggsostrich legs1

–Despite the fact that ostriches are flightless birds, their wings are very strong. Ostriches make use  of their wings for aggressive display and courtship rituals. Males have contrasting bright black and white plumage. Females plumage is drab and grey. Their lead-blue  colour of skin usually becomes scarlet over the beak, on the forehead and around the eyes during the mating season. The normal body temperatures between is 39.4°C to 40°C.

Nutrition

Nutrition practices recommended by some self-professed experts often are sound nutritional principles. Nutrition related mortality problems in chicks juveniles include malnutrition or starvation, intestinal obstruction. It is absolutely essential that ostriches have clean, potable water availability. The  feedstuffs of ostrich must  provide adequate level of protein and essential amino acids and meet vitamin, energy and mineral requirements If ostriches are allowed to forage on grain or natural grasses , try to balance intake with the amount of commercial feed that is fed. Ostriches should not become overweight. Excess body weight in the form of fat is detrimental to production or breeders and to meat quality of birds that are to be slaughtered.

Marketing

Market for ostriches is currently breeder market with value deter­mined as much by nostalgia as the value of products provided by the ostriches. In the long-term, if the ostrich industry is to thrive, the birds will have to generate sufficient revenue to cover their costs of production. The main products from ostrich are red meat which is lower in fat and cholesterol than turkey. Leather which is extremely durable with unique marketing. Decorative by-products namely, feathers and eggs.

ostrich meat

History of Emu

L

 Native of emu

:

 Australia
2. Life span

:

 25-35 years
3. Egg weight (Average)

:

 400-650 2-,m
4. Incubation period

:

 48-52 days
  1. During laying period (October-March) they can lay 30-50 eggs per annum.
  2. Prominent characteristics of emu is rudimentary wings.
  3. Male have phallus.

Brooding And Rearing Of Ostrich Chicks,Poultry Management Guide

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Brooding and Rearing

The brooding period is a very critical time and can be a time of high mortality, if proper management is not used. The brooding  arrangement must protect chicks from predators and  inclement weather  . The arrangement should be  sanitary, dry and well-ventilated. The floor  pen must be rough enough to provide firm  footing for the chicks. Not  to cover the litter with slick materia  or  newspaper , as chicks would develop “spraddle legs” which is fatal.

brooding ostrich

The temperature at chicks level should be 31.1 to 33°C in the 4- by 5-feet pen foe the first two weeks. Gradually reduce heat upto 23.5°C from the third  to the eight week. At 6-8 weeks of age, chicks can be left in range outside in good weather, but shelter at night. They can be managed in groups of 25 to 50 birds.

General Management Tips
  • Provide adequate shelter in pasture plots.
  • Pens should protect adults and older juveniles from extreme
    climate such as snow, ice, heavy winds, cold rain and sleet.
  •  temperaturer should be located inside shelter to condition birds to enter the shelters freely.
    • Feeder and waterers should be in open type and adjustable so that they can kept at chest height of the birds. Clean the waterers daily.
    • Caretakers should spend time with chicks and young tame- them.·      Move gently among the birds, taking care to avoid the possibility of  frightening and hand-feeding of tidbits o juveniles is recommended.
    • Never make overcrowding in the pen. First few days provide sanitised water along with anti-stress agents.
    • Ensure proper mineral and vitamins in the feed for healthy growth of chicks and to void leg deformities.
    • Do not handle the birds during hot hours,as Birds get immediately excited. Hence calm and quite environment in the pen is required.
    • Never keep the sharp objects, pebbles accessible to the birds. Birds are mischievous and grab anything that comes in their vicinity.
    • Spraddle condition of the legs that is  commonly seen can be managed by holding the legs together during the initial 72 hours of chicks. This can be done particularly in the incubator.
    • Commercial feed is absolutely essential.
    • Birds require at least 1 acre floor space with six feet high chain link fence.
    • Birds produce hide, leather or feather are sold at high price.