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A note on growth curves for the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. J. du Preez ,
M. J. F. Jarvis ,
D. Capatos  and
J. de Kock
J. J. du Preez
Affiliation:
University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
M. J. F. Jarvis
Affiliation:
National Parks and Wildlife Management, Harare, Zimbabwe
D. Capatos
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Development, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
J. de Kock
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Development, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
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Abstract

The Gompertz equation was used to compute growth curves for three groups of ostriches (Struthio camelus), from Oudtshoorn in South Africa, the Namib desert in Namibia and from Zimbabwe. All were reared under typical intensive farm conditions with ad libitum feeding. There were no significant differences in mature mass between regions but the maximum daily weight gain for males occurred later (day 163) for Oudtshoorn birds, compared with day 121 for Namibian and day 92 for Zimbabwean. Oudtshoorn females reached maximum rate of gain on day 175 compared with day 115 for Namibian and day 114 for Zimbabwean. Comparisons might prove important when planning programmes for the genetic improvement of commercial flocks, but possible influences of food composition and environment should be investigated.

Keywords

growth curvesostrichesSouthern Africa
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 54 , Issue 1 , February 1992 , pp. 150 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1992

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References

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