The growth cycle of ostrich

Ostriches often live in groups of 5~50, often accompanied by herbivores. They are social diurnal birds and adapt to life in desert wasteland. The growth process is mainly divided into four parts: young stage, growth stage, egg laying stage and mature stage. Let's take a look at it together!

hatchling stage

Ostrich young period is from birth to 12 weeks of age, this period should be given a slightly higher nutritional level than chickens, while increasing inorganic salts, especially calcium, phosphorus, trace elements and vitamins and other additives. Green feed should be given fresh grass and vegetable leaves and other easily digestible feed, each day to an average of 1.2-1.5 kg green feed, concentrate feed 1-1.5 kg.

growth period

The growth period of ostrich is from 13 weeks old to pre-mature. The weight increases from 40-60 kg to 100 kg, and the young birds are mainly raised outdoors. When the young material is changed into the young material, it should be carried out gradually. After the temperature is removed from 3 months, 2/3 of the young material should be used in the first two weeks, and 1/3 of the young material should be used in the third week, and 2/3 of the young material should be added. At this time, each breeder is given about 1.5-2.5 kg of concentrate diet per day, of which grass powder can account for 10%-20%, and green fodder is given an average of 2.5-3.5 kg or even 5 kg per day, depending on the weight increase or decrease.

laying period

Artificial ostrich daily activities are relatively regular, therefore, should be based on its regular life, quantitative feeding. Every morning at dawn, ostriches run around the side net on the playground for 15-20 minutes before mating and feeding. Therefore, the first feeding time is 6:30-7:30 in the morning. Feed 4 times a day, at as equal intervals as possible. The feeding sequence can be coarse first and then fine, or concentrate can be mixed into green feed to feed together. Concentrate feed is generally controlled at about 1.5 kg per animal to prevent excessive fertilizer from reducing egg production or stopping production.

mature period

Female ostriches reach sexual maturity at 24-30 months of age and male ostriches at 36 months of age. Before sexual maturity, they were raised in large groups of 20-30 eggs each, and mated one month before laying. There are usually four (1 male and 3 female) breeding units. Flocking is usually done in the evening, when females are introduced into the birdhouse first and then males, thus reducing sexual exclusion between males and females and between populations.