Effect of including canola meal in diets of slaughter ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

T.S Brand,J Van Der Merwe,L.C Hoffman

doi:10.4314/sajas.v50i4.6

Abstract

Canola meal (CM) is a locally produced protein source that may be less expensive than soybean meal (SBM). This study evaluated the effects of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% SBM with CM in diets for slaughter ostriches. The CM was added at the expense of SBM and other concentrates, with minor changes in other ingredients. Birds (n = 15 per treatment) were reared from 77 to 337 days old on the trial diets, which were supplied ad libitum for starter, grower, and finisher phases. Bodyweights and feed intake were measured during these phases. No differences (P >0.05) were found between treatments for live weight at the end of each phase, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over all the growth phases. Although no differences were observed in live weight at the end of each phase, the birds reared on the diet with 50% CM were heaviest at slaughter, and birds reared with 100% CM were lightest (P <0.05). Differences (P <0.05) between diets were observed for the weight at slaughter, weights of the liver and thyroid glands and the pH of the cold carcass. However, no differences (P >0.05) were observed between diets for fat pad weight, dressing percentage, and weights of thighs and Muscularis gastrocnemius. The results indicate that CM could replace SBM in the diets of slaughter ostriches without affecting production traits and slaughter yields.Keywords: alternative protein, average daily gain, canola, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, growth, ostrich nutrition, production

Highlights

Nutrition is the most important and greatest expense in any livestock industry (Brand & Jordaan, 2011), and cannot be neglected, because it has a direct influence on the growth and production of the animals
It is important to quantify the nutritive value of alternative protein sources by formulating diets that fit the needs of ostriches without compromising production
Post-mortem analyses indicated that the main cause of deaths in this phase was prolapses owing to the ingestion of sticks and gravel

Summary

Introduction

Nutrition is the most important and greatest expense in any livestock industry (Brand & Jordaan, 2011), and cannot be neglected, because it has a direct influence on the growth and production of the animals. The current demand for soybean in the country is higher than production, large quantities are imported, which leads to increased feed prices (Sihlobo & Kapuya, 2016; AFMA, 2017). Protein is expensive and scarce, there is little information about the nutritive values of alternative sources for ostrich diets (Brand et al, 2000a) and the effects they might have on production. It is important to quantify the nutritive value of alternative protein sources by formulating diets that fit the needs of ostriches without compromising production

Methods

Results

Conclusion