Performance of Ostriches (struthio Camelus) Fed on Different Levels of Protein and Energy under Hot Climate By

The effects of five levels of dietary protein and energy on ostrich performance during hot season were evaluated in this study. Five males and 10 females of healthy mature ostriches (Struthio camelus) were randomly assigned equally into five nutritional groups A, B, C, D and E, each of 1 male and 2 females. Birds were fed (16% protein +2800 kcal) , (17% protein + 2900 kcal ) , (18% protein + 3000 kcal ) , (19% protein + 3100 kcal ) and ( 20 % protein + 3200 kcal) , respectively. Egg production, egg weight, egg physical characteristics, egg weight loss during incubation, fertility, hatchability and chick weight at hatch were recorded for each group from March until October 2007. Chick weight at hatch in addition to chick weight, feed consumption and feed efficiency at 21d and at 90 d of age were recorded. On monthly basis and from May to September two eggs from each group were randomly selected for chemical composition. Moreover, hatched and late dead embryos were examined anatomically and morphologically. Two blood samples were collected from the birds of each nutritional group, one at the beginning and the other at the end of the experiment. Total proteins, albumin, cholesterol and total lipids were determined in plasma. Data showed an increase in egg production by 8 % and 12 % in E and D groups compared to group A (control group). Increasing protein and energy levels in the diet have a positive effect on egg weight, percent of hatchability and embryonic mortality. This positive effect resulted in a curve linear pattern with the levels of protein and energy in the diets. However, increasing protein and energy levels in the ostrich diets did not affect ostrich fertility. Most of the embryonic mortalities occurred during the 2nd, 3rd and the 6th week of embryonic age, with the greatest percent of mortalities occurring during the 3rd and the 6th week after incubation. Energy as well as protein levels used in this study had no significant effect on egg shell mineral content. No significant effect can be attributed to increasing energy and protein in the ostrich diet on shell