Efficient breeding technology of ostrich

The ostrich is a large African bird that cannot fly but runs very fast. It is also the largest existing bird in the world, up to 3 meters high, with black feathers, a long and hairless neck, short wings and long legs. The usual speed can reach 80km/h, and the fastest can reach 140km/h. The ostrich has strong adaptability and disease resistance, can withstand 45 ℃ high temperature and can withstand the cold of-40 ℃. It feeds on grass and other plants and is the best economic animal for forage grass.

The choice of site

The choice of the site should meet the requirements of epidemic prevention, and it is best to stay away from other livestock farms, with convenient transportation and adequate water and electricity. The most suitable place is sandy grass, the terrain should be flat, no stagnant water.

Column feeding

The farm is divided into columns, with an area of about 33.5 mu per person. In the case of breeding kiwi, there can be 1-2 combinations per column (each combination is 1 male and 2 females). Fence materials can be used, but be careful not to have thorns, in case of injury to the ostrich, the upper end of the net had better be wrapped with a plastic tube.

Set up a shade shed

Each column should be provided with a shade of about 20 square meters, and feed should be fed under the shed to prevent rain. Feed plates and water plates can be made of soft aluminum plates or cut off from washed old car tires. It is not suitable to build a cement trough to prevent the feet of birds from being hurt. Sand can be padded 50 centimeters high under the shed to facilitate breeding birds to lay eggs.

Nestling breeding

The first week of the nestling is the most critical, requiring careful observation. In the first 2-3 days, the nestling consumes its own yolk sac and does not need food. Three days later, the nestling will often eat and drink. In the first three days after eating, the nestling should be checked frequently. If diarrhea is found, treatment should be carried out immediately.

The feeding of the nestling is very important. It must be careful and patient. At the beginning, it must be induced to eat, constantly tapping the feeding plate and fiddling with the feed with its fingers to induce it to feed. Do this again the next day until 4 or 6 days, and let it eat naturally.

Chicks can be fed with chicken grains, preferably in bright colors (red, yellow and green), three times a day and with appropriate vitamins, chopped cooked eggs and carrots can also be used. Drinking water should also add vitamins and have color, so that the young birds will take the initiative to drink water.

The first month is a critical period for ostriches. Leg disease may occur. Once you get through this period, you will grow well. During this period, we must pay attention to disease prevention, as soon as we find that there is a disease, we should immediately prevent and cure it, or get vaccinated. In addition, one-month-old birds love to eat foreign bodies, do not let it eat too much, should pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene in the column. Young birds can also tolerate cold weather, but in the first winter, it is best to provide infrared lights to keep warm.

Middle and adult birds are reared

After a month, ostriches are relatively easy to raise and do not need any special methods. The main thing is to pay attention to whether their food intake and defecation are normal each time they are fed. If they are normal, they do not need to be cared for. If they are abnormal, they will see what diseases they are suffering from. Be treated because of illness.

Ostrich food

Ostriches feed mainly on herbivores and chickens. If it can be fed with appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals at different stages of its growth and development, it will promote its growth and development, increase its yield and obtain the maximum economic benefits.

1. Dietary nutrition of ostrich

1 day old to 2 months old (weight up to 10 kg): this is the initial growth stage, concentrate feed should be used, supplemented by a small amount of roughage.

2 months to 4 months (weight up to 35 kg): the use of roughage is gradually increased at this stage, with 2868 kcal / kg of metabolic energy, 20% balanced protein and 1.05% lysine.

From 4 months to 6 months (weight up to 58 kg): this stage is the diet from the middle chick to the breeding stage, with metabolic energy of 2629 kcal / kg, protein content of 15.5% and lysine content of 0.78%.

6 months to 10 months (weight 80 kg): this stage is the diet for fattening period, with metabolic energy of 2125 kcal / kg, protein content of 12%-14%, and lysine content of 0.6%.

10 months to 14 months (weight up to 110kg): this stage is the post-fattening stage diet, available high-level grains, metabolic energy 1792 kcal / kg, protein egg quality 10% 12%, lysine 0.42%.

More than 14 months (body weight more than 110kg): can and maintain diet, dietary metabolic energy is 1553 kcal / kg, protein is about 10%, lysine content 0.3%.

Non-breeding birds, can also be used to maintain the diet to prevent obesity, laying birds, can be in the maintenance diet to feed an appropriate amount of bone meal and vitamins, minerals.

2. Daily feed volume

① bird: 0.1kg to 0.3kg concentrate, add a small amount of chopped fresh carrots.

② bird: about 0.5 kilogram concentrate plus 1 kilogram of green vegetables or grass.