Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dietary energy and protein supplements on performance, weekly body sizes or body frame size, and microbiota of ostrich chicks during 2–9 weeks of age. Two metabolic energy levels of 2400 and 2600 kcal/kg live weight and three protein levels of 20, 22, and 24% were used. A total of 36 ostrich chickens (Struthio camelus) of the blue and black African breed were used. Body weight, 12 body measurements (i.e., circumference of the head, neck, breast, abdomen, thigh, body height, length of tail, list the other 5 here) and excretion of microbial population (Escherichia coli, Coliforms bacteria, and Lactobacillus bacteria) were measured. Mean body weight in each week of the experiment was generally the lowest when chicks were offered 2600 kcal/kg dietary energy and 24% protein. Of the 12 body measurements, the breast, abdomen, and thigh circumference and also body length were greater at the lower energy (2400 kcal/kg) and higher protein (24%) levels. Total Aerobic bacteria excretion was generally lower in response to the diet containing the higher level of energy. We conclude that ostrich chickens during 2–9 weeks of age can grow on diets that contain lower energy levels.
Highlights
Ostriches are well adapted to the environmental conditions, and interest in rearing them commercially is growing in many countries of the world (Cloete et al 2012)
The highest level of body weight was observed in birds offered the 2400-kcal/kg dietary energy level with 20 or 22% protein
We showed only these 2 weeks of age because the same trends of body size were observed in the intervening weeks between weeks 2 and 9
Summary
Ostriches are well adapted to the environmental conditions, and interest in rearing them commercially is growing in many countries of the world (Cloete et al 2012). The great interest in ostrich breeding has led to an increase in the demand for information about this bird, especially its maintenance and nutritional requirements (Brand et al 2015) and the potential for genetic improvement (Kawka et al 2010, 2012a, 2012b). Nutrition is one of the parameters that ostrich producers have the most influence. The two main nutrients in most livestock diets are energy and protein. Energy has the greatest influence on feed intake. Protein with energy is a macronutrient, and
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