We studied the strategies used by cursorial bipeds (ostriches) to maneuver during running. Eight ostriches were induced to run along a trackway and execute turns. Ground reaction forces and three-dimensional kinematics of the body and leg joints were simultaneously recorded, allowing calculation of joint angles and quasi-static net joint torques. Sidesteps, where the leg on the outside of the t...

The mass of residual yolk sac expressed as a percentage of initial mass of the egg from which the chick hatched decreased sharply in the first 2 days post-hatching. A gradual reduction occurred between 3 and 10 days after which a sharp decline was noted between 11 and 13 days post-hatching. The highest number of chicks with unabsorbed yolk sac was noted on day 5 post-hatching followed by days 6...

The demand for ostrich meat and other products is increasing. The primary problem facing the industry is a lack of information on the nutrient requirements of these birds, particularly neonatal birds. This may be partly responsible for the high mortality of chicks and the lack of expansion of the industry. Knowledge of the development of the ostrich’s anatomy and digestive function is limited. ...

BACKGROUND Ostrich (Struthio camelus) breeds have been gaining increasing significance around the world. The large-scale sex determination of chicks is an important task in the development of these breeds. To date, two PCR-based methods have been established for ostrich sex typing, neither of them intended for large-scale analyses. Here, we report on a protocol adapted to carry out large-scale ...

We used implanted miniature data loggers to measure brain (in or near the hypothalamus) and carotid arterial blood temperatures at 5 min intervals in six free-ranging ostriches Struthio camelus in their natural habitat, for a period of up to 14 days. Carotid blood temperature exhibited a large amplitude (3.0-4.6 degrees C) circadian rhythm, and was positively correlated with air temperature. Du...

Camel (Camelus dromidarius) is an important source of meat and milk and an iconic animal of the Saudi Arabian heritage. The accumulative evidence indicated the spread of paratuberculosis infection in the camel herds. Despite the explicit studies on the details of the disease in camels and methods of its diagnosis, paratuberculosis infection in camels suffers from wide gap of knowledge of the di...