Rearing Ostriches Trial & Results
Details
A farmer rears 2000 young ostriches per year from 3 days old till 4 months. After 4 months the ostriches go to the growing farm. The farmer takes care of the total management of the young ostriches: feed, housing and medicines. For this the farmer receives R13,50 per kg delivered weight at 4 months.
Mr Andre Pretorius, owner of Boland Organic Solutions cc. and distributor for Vossen Laboratories advised the farmer to use Vita (Cow) to add in the drinking water 3 times a week. This with the aim to improve weight gain and healthier animals.
There was a control group of 180 animals and 167 in the test group.
In total they received 66 ml Vita per animal, around 1,5 ml 3 times per week via the drinking water.
The results:
| Column 1 | Pen 2 | Pen 3 | Pen 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number: | 150 Treated | 150 Treated | 150 Control |
| Product Used: | De-wormer injection 2gr/day per lamb Ateli 250ml/ton Broeistop | Growth stimulant Injection* 2gr/day per lamb Ateli 250 ml/ton Broeistop | Growth stimulant injection only |
| Product costs per lamb for 70 day period | Silage with concentrate € 0.24 x 70 € 16.80 De-wormer € 0.04 Ateli € 0.98 Broeistop € 0.29 Total € 18.11 | Silage with concentrate € 0.24 x 70 € 16.80 Growth Stimulant € 0.70 Ateli € 0.98 Broeistop € 0.29 Total € 18.77 | Silage with concentrate € 0.24 x 70 € 16.80 Growth Stimulant € 0.70 Total € 17.50 |
| Weight gain per lamb In % of control | 12.6 kg + 10.1 % | 14.35 kg + 25.4 % | 11.44 kg |
| Killing out % | 48.04 % | 48.0 % | 46.6 % |
| Carcass weight In % of control | 22.1 kg + 12.8 % | 22.5 kg + 14.8 % | 19.6 kg |
| Grade** | 9x A2 & 1x A3 | 8x A2 & 2x A3 | 10x A2 |
| Meat quality | Very tender, less fat | Very tender | Normal |
| Net profit per lamb In % of control | € 5.03 + 32.0 % | € 8.77 + 130.8 % | €3.80 |
Financial Profit: R76 x 167 R12 024
Costs (Vita): 11 liters @ R65/liter R715
Netprofit: R11 309 (R68 per ostrich)
Other positive contributions:
- more uniform in size and bodyweight
- less mortality (10% more mortality in control: death and not acceptable)
- test group did eat ground etc. , which shows that Vita gave more satisfactory feed regime
All persons involved:
Rearer, Supplier and Grower were very satisfied and will continue this on the total farm. They also will implement Bio D one time per week in this program to stimulate total feed digestion and limit risks around feed changes, transport etc.
Program For Ostrich Chickens
Schedule Prescript
Week 1 – Week 4 1 ml / day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) = 12 ml / chicken
Week 5 – Week 8 1,5 ml / day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) = 18 ml / chicken
Week 9 – Week 12 2 ml / day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) = 24 ml / chicken
Total: 54 ml / chicken
- Vita to be applied for 10 hours / day via drinking water.
- On Wednesday, add 1 ml of Bio D with Vita Cow.
Aim:
- increase health
- uniformity
- increase the metabolism (bird do not eat ground)
- increase in weight