Exotic Birds Flashcards
What is ostrich emu meat considered to be a healthy alternative to?
Red meat.
What is ostrich and emu leather described as?
Durable and sought after.
What are ostrich and emu feathers used in?
- Clothing.
- Accessories.
- Crafts.
Why are ostriches and emus considered to be resilient and adaptable animals?
They can thrive in various climates/environments and there feed can be sourced from local plants (reduces dependency on commercial feed).
What are the economic benefits of ostrich and emu farming?
- Creates jobs.
- Boosts the economy in rural areas through demand for products and tourism.
- Processing, manufacturing, and retail needs.
What height can an ostrich reach?
Up to 9 feet.
What weight can an ostrich reach?
Up to 350 pounds.
Are ostriches carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores?
Omnivores.
How long is an ostrich egg incubated?
42 days.
What feather pattern do male ostriches have?
Black feathers, white plumes.
What feather pattern do female ostriches have?
Brown or gray feathers.
What is the function of the long eyelashes of the ostrich?
To protect their eyes from sand.
What are the 5 business start-up options for ostrich businesses?
- Buy eggs and hatch chicks.
- Buy started, sexed chicks (8+ weeks).
- Buy juvenile (year-old birds).
- Buy proven breeders.
- Combination.
How is the buy eggs and hatch chicks business option described?
- Lowest initial cost.
- Production starts after 2 years.
How is the buy started, sexed chicks (8+ weeks) option described?
- Avoids early hatching challenges.
- Costs more than eggs.
- Production starts in 2 years.
How is the buy juvenile (year-old birds) business option described?
- Allows quality selection.
- Production beginning within 1 year.
How is the buy proven breeders business option described?
- Highest initial cost.
- Enables immediate production.
How is the combination business option described?
Flexibility to use a mix of options based on goals and budgets.
What are the primary energy sources fed to ostriches?
- Wheat.
- Corn.
- Barley.
*Typically mixed with other feed components.
What forages are provided to ostriches in addition to free-range grazing of grass?
- Legumes.
- Leafy vegetables.
What protein sources are provided to ostriches?
- Canola meal.
- Alfalfa pellets.
- Soybeans.
What 2 essential AAs of importance are provided by protein sources?
- Methionine.
- Lysine.
What % CP are chicks started at to ensure optimal early growth?
28.
What form of feed is provided to ostriches?
Pelleted.
How many kg of food/day does an adult ostrich eat?
1.5-2.5 kg. .
How many times per day should an ostrich be fed? Why?
- 2+.
- To prevent waste and encourage natural feeding behavior.
How much water do ostriches drink every day?
3-5 liters.
*Depends on conditions and diet.
What stressors impact feeding behavior?
- Social hierarchy.
- Temperature changes.
What special nutritional needs do breeding birds have?
- Increased protein (egg laying).
- Increased calcium (egg laying).
- Increased vitamin E (reproductive behavior)
- Increased vitamin A (reproductive behavior).
What special nutritional needs do breeding birds have?
- High protein (up to 28%, for optimal growth).
- Gradual transition to a grower diet as they mature.
When do ostrich hens start laying?
Around 2 years of age.
How long do ostrich hens lay?
Over 30 years.
How many eggs do ostriches lay annually?
> 70.
When does egg production begin and end?
Spring-Fall.
How many hours of daylight are required to extend laying throughout the year?
16 hours.
*Reducing this can halt egg production.
When are juvenile cocks and hens separated until?
Maturity.
When are mature birds separated?
Outside of the breeding season.
What does one breeding group consist of?
1 cock : 2-4 hens.
Describe the ostrich breeding pen.
- 1-3 acres.
- Barriers to prevent fighting between cocks.
- Vegetation for privacy.
- Well-drained.
How often should eggs be collected from ostrich nests?
2x daily.
*Watch for active cocks, they can be aggressive and protective.
What is unique about the male ostrich reproductive tract as compared to other birds?
An elongated phallus that engorges with blood during copulation.
What is the courtship behavior of the ostrich cock?
- Vocalization.
- Dancing.
- Feather display.
How many females will an ostrich cock mate with in a mating season: One or multiple?
Multiple.
How many eggs per clutch does an ostrich lay?
15-45.
How much does an ostrich egg weigh?
1.4 kg.
What should an ostrich nest look like?
- Shallow.
- Made of vegetation for camouflage.
Both parents contribute to incubating the eggs, how does feather color aid in this?
The females incubate during the day, due to their brown and grey feathers blending in to the surroundings. The males incubate at night due to their black feathers blending in to the darkness.
What does clutch size depend upon?
- Age of female.
- Environmental conditions.
- Resource availability.
How long is an ostrich egg?
15 cm.
What is nesting?
A natural process involving the creation of a protective site for laying and incubating eggs.
What are hatcheries?
Artificial environments designed for optimal egg incubation and hatching.
What are hatcheries used in commercial ostrich farming to do?
- Control conditions.
- Enhance productivity.
What are 6 critical factors for hatchability?
- Breeder nutrition.
- Mating quality.
- Egg handling.
- Equipment function.
- Temperature.
- Humidity.
What are the 3 key parts of hatchery design?
- Cleanliness.
- Durability.
- Separate sections for egg cleaning, egg incubation, chick holding, and sanitation.
What are the 5 required equipment for a hatchery?
- Standby generator.
- Forced draft incubator/hatcher.
- Pressure washer.
- Vacuum.
- Specific cleaning tools.
How are ostrich eggs stored in hatcheries?
- Large end up.
- 65-70.
- Rotate 2x daily.
How soon after laying should eggs be set to maximize hatchability?
2-4 days.
How should dirty eggs be cleaned?
- Gently scrape away the dirt.
- 3% H2O2 and warm water if necessary.
How long does incubation last for ostrich eggs?
39-44 days.
At what temperature are ostrich eggs incubated?
97.0-98.4 F.
What % RH are ostrich eggs incubated at?
20-30.
*Allows appropriate water loss.
When does egg transfer occur?
No earlier that internal pipping.
What is used to confirm the eggs are ready for transfer?
Candling.
Why are eggs transferred?
To ensure accurate hatch timing.
What RH is the hatcher set to?
30-40%.
*Slightly higher temperature too.
What occurs in the hatcher?
External pipping.
How long are chicks typically kept in the hatcher post-hatch?
12 hours, enough time to dry without dehydration.
What is the high chick and juvenile mortality rate in ostriches a result of?
Poor brooding practices.
How can high chick and juvenile mortality rate in ostriches be remedied?
Training and supervision of caretakers to maintain optimal conditions.
What are the 4 brooding facility requirements for ostriches?
- Protection from predators.
- Protection from bad weather.
- Dry, sanitary, well-ventilated environment.
- Concrete floors for easy cleaning.
What temperature are ostrich chicks kept at from Day 0-10?
88-92 F.
*Avoid chilling or overheating.
What temperature are ostrich chicks kept at up to 3 weeks?
80-85 F.
What temperature are ostrich chicks kept at from 3-8 weeks?
70-80 F.
Why is burlap placed over the litter during the first week of life?
To prevent the chicks from eating it.
*Newspaper is slick and can cause leg injuries.
Why should foraging be balanced with a commercial diet in ostriches?
To avoid excess body weight, which harms meat quality and egg production.
At what age can ostrich chicks go outdoors?
6-8 weeks of age.
What must be provided to chicks if they are outside?
- Nighttime shelter.
- Clean, well drained pens.
What do 4 month old chicks require?
The same protection, despite being hardier.
What is the annual egg yield for an ostrich?
40-70 eggs/year.
What is the fertility rate of an ostrich?
80%.
What is the hatchability rate of an ostrich?
80%.
What is the chick livability rate of an ostrich?
80%.