B. M. Dzoma
Department of Animal Health, North West University (Mafikeng),P.O. Box 2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
K. Motshegwa
Department of Animal Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture,P.O. Box 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
ABSTRACT
A retrospective observational epidemiological study was conducted to study on-farm reproductive performance (egg production, fertility and hatchability) on 4 ostrich farms in Botswana. An average of 600 birds per farm and a total of 38,447 eggs were involved. The period of operation of the farms ranged from 2-11 years. Fertility ranged from 63.5-89% (μ = 76.3%), while, hatchability ranged from 39.4-83.6%(μ = 53.8%). Hatchability averaged 54.2 and 52.4% and on farms employing the male: female breeding ratio of 1: 2 and 1: 3, respectively, while, it averaged 62.9 and 65.9% on farms employing natural and artificial incubation, respectively. Egg production, fertility and hatchability were all competitive when compared to other country figures although there is still vast room for improvement. Record keeping needs to be encouraged on farms.
PDF References Citation
How to cite this article
B. M. Dzoma and K. Motshegwa, 2009. A Retrospective Study of Egg Production, Fertility and Hatchability of Farmed Ostriches in Botswana. International Journal of Poultry Science, 8: 660-664.
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2009.660.664
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2009.660.664
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2009.660.664
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2009.660.664
REFERENCES
- Bezuidenhout, A.J., J.T. Soley, H.B. Groenewald and W.P. Burger, 1995. Sperm-storage tubules in the vagina of the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res., 62: 193-199.
Direct Link - Cabassi, C.S., S. Taddei, G. Predari, G. Galvani, F. Ghidini, E. Schiano and S. Cavirani, 2004. Bacteriologic findings in ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs from farms with reproductive failures. Avian Dis., 48: 716-722.
Direct Link - Cloete, S.W., H. Lambrechts, K. Punt and Z. Brand, 2001. Factors related to high levels of ostrich chick mortality from hatching to 90 days of age in an intensive rearing system. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc., 72: 197-202.
Direct Link - Deeming, D.C., 1995. Factors affecting hatchability during commercial incubation of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. Br. Poult. Sci., 36: 51-65.
CrossRefDirect Link - Deeming, D.C., 1996. Production, fertility and hatchability of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs on a farm in the United Kingdom. Anim. Sci., 63: 329-336.
Direct Link - Degen, A.A., S. Weil, A. Rosenstrauch, M. Kam and A. Dawson, 1994. Seasonal plasma levels of luteinizing and steroid hormones in male and female domestic ostriches (Struthio camelus). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 93: 21-27.
Direct Link - Dohoo, I.R. and P.L. Ruegg, 1993. Herd level measures of health and productivity in Prince Edward Island dairy herds. Preventative Vet. Med., 16: 241-254.
Direct Link - Hassan, S.M., A.A. Siam, M.F. Mady and A.L. Cartwright, 2004. Incubation temperature for ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. Poult. Sci., 83: 495-499.
CrossRefPubMedDirect Link - Ipek, A. and U. Sahan, 2004. Effect of breeder age and breeding season on egg production and incubation in farmed ostriches. Br. Poult. Sci., 45: 643-647.
Direct Link - Kimwele, C.N. and J.A. Graves, 2003. A molecular genetic analysis of the communal nesting of the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Mol. Ecol., 12: 229-236.
Direct Link - Ley, D.H., R.E. Morris, J.E. Smallwood and M.R. Loomis, 1986. Mortality of chicks and decreased fertility and hatchability of eggs from a captive breeding pair of ostriches. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc., 189: 1124-1126.
Direct Link - Madekurozwa, M.C., 2002. Progesterone and oestrogen receptor immunoreactivity in the vagina of the immature ostrich, Struthio camelus. Br. Poult. Sci., 43: 450-456.
Direct Link - Malecki, I.A. and G.B. Martin, 2003. Sperm supply and egg fertilization in the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Reprod. Domest. Anim., 38: 429-435.
Direct Link - Malecki, I.A., S.W.P. Cloete, W.D. Gertenbach and G.B. Martin, 2004. Sperm storage and duration of fertility in female ostriches (Struthio camelus). S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci., 34: 158-165.
Direct Link - Malecki, I.A., J.O. Horbanczuk, C.E. Reed and G.B. Martin, 2005. The ostrich (Struthio camelus) blastoderm and embryo development following storage of eggs at various temperatures. Br. Poult. Sci., 46: 652-660.
Direct Link - More, S.J., 1996. The performance of farmed ostrich eggs in Eastern Australia. Prev. Vet. Med., 29: 91-106.
CrossRef - Mushi, E.Z., J.F.W. Isa, R.G. Chabo, L. Modisa and P. Kono, 1999. Commercial ostrich farming in Botswana. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci., 29: 262-262.
Direct Link - Mushi, E.Z., M.J. Binta, R.G. Chabo and O. Galetshipe, 2008. Problems associated with artificial incubation and hatching of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs in Botswana. Res. J. Poult. Sci., 2: 21-26.
CrossRefDirect Link - Nahm, K.H., 2001. Effects of storage length and weight loss during incubation on the hatchability of ostrich eggs (Struthio camelus). Poult. Sci., 80: 1667-1670.
Direct Link - Rybnik, P.K., J.O. Horbanczuk, H. Naranowicz, E. Lukaszewicz and I.A. Malecki, 2007. Semen collection in the ostrich (Struthio camelus) using a dummy or a teaser female. Br. Poult. Sci., 48: 635-643.
CrossRefDirect Link - Swan, R.A. and O. Sicouri, 1999. Evidence of sperm storage in the female ostrich. Aust. Vet. J., 77: 649-650.
Direct Link - Van Schalkwyk, S.J., S.W. Cloete, C.R. Brown and Z. Brand, 2000. Hatching success of ostrich eggs in relation to setting, turning and angle of rotation. Br. Poult. Sci., 41: 46-52.
Direct Link