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Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive

volume 46 issue 2 (june 2012) : 176-179

GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF OSTRICHES (Struthio camelus) IN INDIA

S
S.T. Selvan
P
P. Kumarasamy
D
D. Thyagarajan
1Ostrich Breeding Unit, Livestock Research Station Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sci. Univ., Kattupakkam-603 203, India

  • Submitted|

  • First Online |

  • doi

Cite article:- Selvan S.T., Kumarasamy P., Thyagarajan D. (2025). GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF OSTRICHES (Struthio camelus) IN INDIA. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 46(2): 176-179. doi: .

ABSTRACT

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) farming is a new upcoming venture in India. Ostrich farming was started in India during 2000 with the sole objective of studying its adaptability and commercial viability. Experience revealed that rearing, feeding and nutrition of ostriches were quite different from other poultry species. Out of 68 chicks hatched, the survival percentage was 58.8% up to the age of 18 months. Chick mortality below 3 months of age was one of the most critical phase of rearing. The live body weight was 3.78 ± 0.17 kg at 1 month of age with a feed conversion of 1.67 and 118.21 ± 2.81 kg at 18 months with a feed conversion ratio of 7.50. The average daily body weight (ADG) gain during the period was 220g.

REFERENCES

  1. Allwright, D. (1996). Viruses encountered in intensively reared ostriches in southernAfrica. In: Improving our understanding of Ratites in a Farming Environment. Ratite Conference, Deeming, D.C. (Ed). Oxfordshire, UK. 27-33 p.
  2. Ashash, E., Malkinson, M., Meir, R., Perl, S., and Weisman, Y (1996). Case report- causes of losses including a Borna disease paralytic syndrome affecting young ostriches of one breeding organisation over a five year period (1989 – 1993). Avian Diseases. 40 (1): 240-245.
  3. Bertram, B. and Burger, A. E. Aspects of incubation in ostriches (1981) Ostrich 52: 36 – 43.
  4. Bezuidenhout, A.J. and Burger, W.P. (1993). The incidences of tibiotarsal rotation in the ostrich (Struthio camelus) J. South African. Vet. Assoc. 64:159 – 161.
  5. Blue-McLendon, A. (1993). Paediatric disorders in ostriches. Proc. of the Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians; Nashville Lake Worth, FL: 269-271 p.
  6. Bubier, N.E., Paxton, C.G.M., Bowers, P., and Deeming D.C (1996) Courtship behaviour of ostriches (Struthio camelus) towards humans under farming conditions in Britain. Brit. Poult. Sci. 37: 13 – 14.
  7. Cilliers, S.C., Hayes, J.P., Martiz, J.S., Chwalibog, A., and Du Preez, J.J (1994).True and Apparent metabolic energy values of lucerne and yellow maize in adult roosters and mature ostriches. Anim. Prod. 59: 309 – 313.
  8. Cooper, R.G. (2000) The management of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks. World Poult.Sci. J.56: 33 – 44.
  9. Degen, A.A., Kam, M., Rosenstrauch, A., and Plavnik, I (1991). Growth rate, total body water volume, dry matter intake and water consumption of domesticated ostriches (Struthio camelus). Anim Prod. 52: 225 – 232.
  10. Deeming, D.C., Bubier, N.E., Paxton, G.C.M., Lambert, M.S., Magole, I.L., and Sibly, R.M (1996). A review of recent work on the behaviour of young ostrich chicks with respect to feeding. Proc. of Intl Conf. Univ of Manchester, England pp 20 – 21.
  11. Jensen, J.M., Johnson, J.H., and Weiner, S.T. (1992) Husbandry and medical management of Ostriches, Emus and Rheas. College Station, Texas: Wildlife and Exotics Animals Tele consultants. pp. 124 - 127.
  12. More, S.J. (1996) The performance of farmed ostrich chicks in Eastern Australia. Pre. Vet. Med. 29: 91 – 106.
  13. Mushi, E.Z., Isa, J.F.W., Chabo, R.G., and Segaise, T.T (1998) Growth rate of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks under intensive management in Botswana. Trop. Anim. Health and Prod. 30:197-203.
  14. Shanawany, M.M. (1995) Recent developments in ostrich farming. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper. no. 144. World Anim. Rev. 83: 3 - 8.
  15. Swart, D. Mackie, R.J., and Hayes, J.P. (1993). Fermentative digestion in the ostrich (Struthio camelus var domesticus), a large avian species that utilise cellulose. South African J. Anim. Sci. 23: 142 -150.
  16. Smith, W.A., Cilliers, S.C., Mellet, F.D., and Van Schalkwyk, S.J., (1995). Ostrich Production – A South African perspective. Alltech’s 11th Alltech Annual Symposium. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham. 175 – 197 p.
  17. Verwoerd, D.J. (1999) Rearing environments around the world. In “The Ostrich Biology, Production and Health” (CAB Publishing) 191-193 p.
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    volume 46 issue 2 (june 2012) : 176-179

    GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF OSTRICHES (Struthio camelus) IN INDIA

    S
    S.T. Selvan
    P
    P. Kumarasamy
    D
    D. Thyagarajan
    1Ostrich Breeding Unit, Livestock Research Station Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sci. Univ., Kattupakkam-603 203, India

    • Submitted|

    • First Online |

    • doi

    Cite article:- Selvan S.T., Kumarasamy P., Thyagarajan D. (2025). GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF OSTRICHES (Struthio camelus) IN INDIA. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 46(2): 176-179. doi: .

    ABSTRACT

    Ostrich (Struthio camelus) farming is a new upcoming venture in India. Ostrich farming was started in India during 2000 with the sole objective of studying its adaptability and commercial viability. Experience revealed that rearing, feeding and nutrition of ostriches were quite different from other poultry species. Out of 68 chicks hatched, the survival percentage was 58.8% up to the age of 18 months. Chick mortality below 3 months of age was one of the most critical phase of rearing. The live body weight was 3.78 ± 0.17 kg at 1 month of age with a feed conversion of 1.67 and 118.21 ± 2.81 kg at 18 months with a feed conversion ratio of 7.50. The average daily body weight (ADG) gain during the period was 220g.

    REFERENCES

    1. Allwright, D. (1996). Viruses encountered in intensively reared ostriches in southernAfrica. In: Improving our understanding of Ratites in a Farming Environment. Ratite Conference, Deeming, D.C. (Ed). Oxfordshire, UK. 27-33 p.
    2. Ashash, E., Malkinson, M., Meir, R., Perl, S., and Weisman, Y (1996). Case report- causes of losses including a Borna disease paralytic syndrome affecting young ostriches of one breeding organisation over a five year period (1989 – 1993). Avian Diseases. 40 (1): 240-245.
    3. Bertram, B. and Burger, A. E. Aspects of incubation in ostriches (1981) Ostrich 52: 36 – 43.
    4. Bezuidenhout, A.J. and Burger, W.P. (1993). The incidences of tibiotarsal rotation in the ostrich (Struthio camelus) J. South African. Vet. Assoc. 64:159 – 161.
    5. Blue-McLendon, A. (1993). Paediatric disorders in ostriches. Proc. of the Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians; Nashville Lake Worth, FL: 269-271 p.
    6. Bubier, N.E., Paxton, C.G.M., Bowers, P., and Deeming D.C (1996) Courtship behaviour of ostriches (Struthio camelus) towards humans under farming conditions in Britain. Brit. Poult. Sci. 37: 13 – 14.
    7. Cilliers, S.C., Hayes, J.P., Martiz, J.S., Chwalibog, A., and Du Preez, J.J (1994).True and Apparent metabolic energy values of lucerne and yellow maize in adult roosters and mature ostriches. Anim. Prod. 59: 309 – 313.
    8. Cooper, R.G. (2000) The management of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks. World Poult.Sci. J.56: 33 – 44.
    9. Degen, A.A., Kam, M., Rosenstrauch, A., and Plavnik, I (1991). Growth rate, total body water volume, dry matter intake and water consumption of domesticated ostriches (Struthio camelus). Anim Prod. 52: 225 – 232.
    10. Deeming, D.C., Bubier, N.E., Paxton, G.C.M., Lambert, M.S., Magole, I.L., and Sibly, R.M (1996). A review of recent work on the behaviour of young ostrich chicks with respect to feeding. Proc. of Intl Conf. Univ of Manchester, England pp 20 – 21.
    11. Jensen, J.M., Johnson, J.H., and Weiner, S.T. (1992) Husbandry and medical management of Ostriches, Emus and Rheas. College Station, Texas: Wildlife and Exotics Animals Tele consultants. pp. 124 - 127.
    12. More, S.J. (1996) The performance of farmed ostrich chicks in Eastern Australia. Pre. Vet. Med. 29: 91 – 106.
    13. Mushi, E.Z., Isa, J.F.W., Chabo, R.G., and Segaise, T.T (1998) Growth rate of ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks under intensive management in Botswana. Trop. Anim. Health and Prod. 30:197-203.
    14. Shanawany, M.M. (1995) Recent developments in ostrich farming. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper. no. 144. World Anim. Rev. 83: 3 - 8.
    15. Swart, D. Mackie, R.J., and Hayes, J.P. (1993). Fermentative digestion in the ostrich (Struthio camelus var domesticus), a large avian species that utilise cellulose. South African J. Anim. Sci. 23: 142 -150.
    16. Smith, W.A., Cilliers, S.C., Mellet, F.D., and Van Schalkwyk, S.J., (1995). Ostrich Production – A South African perspective. Alltech’s 11th Alltech Annual Symposium. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham. 175 – 197 p.
    17. Verwoerd, D.J. (1999) Rearing environments around the world. In “The Ostrich Biology, Production and Health” (CAB Publishing) 191-193 p.
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