The influence of stocking rate and male:female ratio on the production of breeding ostriches (<i>Struthio camelus</i> spp.) under commercial farming conditions

Abstract

The study provides information on the reproductive performance of ostriches maintained at different stocking rates and male:female (M:F) ratios under intensive commercial conditions in the Little Karoo, South Africa. Breeding ostriches are concentrated on relatively small areas and through trampling have a most significant impact on the vegetation in the Little Karoo. Reproductive performance, as influenced by stocking rate and M:F ratio, was investigated. Stocking rates for the large flocks ranged from 114 to 210 birds/ha, and stocking rates for smaller flocks ranged between 9 to 13 birds in 0.13 ha and 0.30 ha camps, respectively. The different M:F ratios investigated, were 1M:1F (pairs), 1M:2F (trios) and 1M:3F (quads), for breeding systems maintained in 0.06 ha camps. In almost all breeding systems total and average egg production, fertility and hatchability were compromised when stocking rate was increased. High stocking rates were detrimental to the reproductive performance and reproductive behaviour of the flocks. Increasing the number of females per male had no negative influence on the reproduction traits, with a significantly higher production observed for breeding quads. Our findings indicated that ostrich breeding flocks can be maintained at stocking rates higher than those presently used on commercial ostrich farms. Breeding pairs, trios and quads can also be maintained on smaller areas, with acceptable production levels. Increasing stocking densities will have a possible inhibitory effect on the establishment of territories and use of space, thereby impacting on the reproductive behaviour of ostrich females and males in large flocks, respectively. This has important implications in terms of the intensification of ostrich farming especially in areas that are characterised by vegetation that is exposed to the trampling effect of ostriches.

The influence of diet composition on egg and chick traits in captive Greater Rhea females

“…Most nutritional studies in ratites have been conducted in ostriches (reviewed by Angel, 1996;Ullrey and Allen, 1996;Aganga et al, 2003;Cooper et al, 2005), because it was the first and is currently the most commonly farmed ratite species (Gillespie and Schupp, 1998;Cloete et al, 2004;Ipek and Sahan, 2004;Lambrechts, 2004;Fair et al, 2005;Cloete et al, 2006). Thereafter, when rhea farming started to grow as an agricultural venture, the need for information about nutrient requirements was met by direct extrapolation from that available for ostriches (Angel, 1996;Carbajo Garcia et al, 1997;Aganga et al, 2003).…”

Ostrich ejaculate characteristics and male libido around equinox and solstice dates

“…However, this condition has been observed in other bird species such as the Northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) and broilers (Penfold et al 2000;Tyler et al 2011). The description of aspermia in ostriches is particularly important as it may partly explain the high proportion of infertility in naturally mated flocks (Lambrechts et al 2004). This also highlights the need to screen individual males before selection for AI programs in this species.…”

“…Commercial ostrich farming has been practiced in South Africa for more than 150 years and has gained interest worldwide (Cloete et al 2012). Although great strides have been made in the development of ostrich farming, reproductive performance is still challenged by low fertility (Lambrechts et al 2004). Assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination (AI) have been suggested as a potential breeding tool to alleviate fertility challenges (Malecki et al 2008).…”

Impact of different mating sex ratios on reproductive efficiency of silver pheasant Lophura nycthemera (Galliformes, Phasianidae)

“…Very large or small number of males in a flock seemed responsible for infertility and the feature varies from species to species (Hazary et al, 2001;Lambrechts et al, 2004;Griskevicius et al, 2012).…”