Dr. Nasir Mukhtar PhD (UAF), PostDoc (UK)

Flightless birds called the ratites.

Ratites have a smooth breastbone whichlacks a keel. Ratites have lost their keel overthe course of their evolution

The keel is the bone structure to which flightmuscles would normally be attached.

Examples Ostrich, Cassowaries, kiwis,, Rheaand Emus [Moas – Elephant size Extinct Bird]

No crop like Chicken or birdsHaving a gall bladder like horseDiversified Reproductive Phallus

Crop

Gall Bladder Erected Phallus

Cassowary

Ostrich

Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae Genus: Struthio Species: Struthio camelus

There are five subspecies of ostriches: S. camelus australus S. camelus camelus S. camelus massaicus S. camelus molybdophanes S. camelus syriacus (extinct) Chromosomes Numbers----------80

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SOUTH AFRICAN BLACK OSTRICH

Normal production environmentArid to temperate savannah

African Ostrich Varieties:

Hybrid Blue (better egg layer) Black Neck (South African)

Age of Sexual Maturity

Male sexually at the age of 2.5 years Female sexually mature at the age of 3 years

Breeding pattern

Kept in Trio ( one male with two females)

Breeding Seasons March till October

In the Southern Hemisphere February till August

In Pakistan.

Egg Production:

Begin lay at 3 years of age Produce eggs for 30 years Produce 20-120 eggs per year Fertility rate 50-80% Livability 30-70% (variable rates in different countries )

The males will draw attention by performing mating dance in front of the females.

Before mating the male performs 'kantling'; while on his knees he flaps his wings in a rowing motion. His neck is bent in an 'S' and he swings his head from left to right hitting his rump.

The hen assumes a submissive position with her head and neck close to the ground, her wings held away from her body and pointed downward.

During copulation, the males' penis deposits semen in the hen's cloaca close to the oviductal opening. The semen is transported to the oviduct by ciliary action.

During their first laying season, hens lay between 10 and 30 eggs, later this increases to between 40 and 70 eggs.

Ostrich Egg

Egg is 15 cm long and 12 cm wide The shell is about 2mm thick and is covered

with an anti-bacterial coating/layer; the cuticle. Diameter:13. 5 cm

Weight: 1100-1700g. (At SORD- 825-1380g)

Fertility rate 50-80% (At SORD- 67%)

Hatchability rate 80% (At SORD- 44%)

Incubation period to hatch 42 to 44 days Humidity in setter --20% Humidity in hatcher --30% Temperature in setter 36.5 0C Temperature in setter 36 0C Turning -@-60-900 hourly Water loss 12-18% (Ideal -13%) Candling at 16 days for fertility

Eggs coshould be collected as soon as possible after being laid, at least once a day.

Each egg should be put in a separate plastic bag to avoid contamination. The identification number can be recorded on the egg.

Eggs can become infected either from the outside, by bacteria passing through the eggshell, or internally by the hen before the shell is formed (e.g. salmonella).

Storage of eggs for a few days allows the albumen of the egg to settle down prior to incubation.

They should be stored at 12 - 18 degrees C in a dry clean room. They need to be turned twice a day in alternative directions(forward in the a.m.

back at p.m.)This stops the chalizes from twisting. Dirty eggs have to be dry-cleaned before storage. Some people disinfect the eggs, for example with formaldehyde gas.

Others prefer to wash: After dirt is removed with a soft brush, the egg is submerged in a sanitary solution (vircon)(10% warmer than the egg) for 60 seconds, wiped clean with a soft cloth, dipped in warm rinse water and air dried.

Uses Increased Meat Production Increased Egg Production [Reproductive

physiology] Increased Feather Production DNA vaccines

Transgenicaly Modified Animals

Animals that have been genetically engineered

DNA has been shared between organisms

▪ Gene transfer by pro-nuclear injection

Ostrich artery has been successfully transplanted in pig in Japan

andResearcher hope that ostrich artery may be

transplant in human heart

Ostrich eye retina is trying to use in human eye

First research station in PakistanStation for Ostrich Research and Development [SORD], has been established in Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

Dr Nasir Mukhtar –Officer In-charge SORDQuestion/Answer session

Ostrich Handling

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