Selection method
Individual selection: direct selection based on the individual quality of the ostrich. It is not only an indicator of the productivity of the breeder, but also reflects the breeding value of the breeder to a certain extent.
Lineage selection: take the whole family line (including full-sibling and half-sibling line) as a selection unit, and select according to the average value of the production performance of the family line.
Genealogical selection: Selection is based on the breeds and performance of ancestors, siblings and descendants as recorded in the genealogy.
In practice, the above methods should be combined and emphasized. The young bird breeding stage is based on genealogical selection, supplemented by appearance and growth and development identification. When the breeding birds have shown the production performance, then the individual selection is the main, supplemented by genealogical identification.
2. Matching
(1) Matching method
Kindred mating: the selection of the breeding bird flock often adopts non-inbreeding mating, that is, the selection of breeding birds do not have a blood relationship within three generations. But in order to consolidate the cultivation of certain excellent traits, can be used full sibling or half-sibling inbreeding.
Homozygous mating: choose male and female breeding birds with the same performance to mate.
Age selection: use older male ostriches to mate with young female ostriches, which can improve the fertilization rate.
(2) The ratio of male to female Excellent male ostriches can mate 5 times a day, and those with strong libido can be more than 8 times a day. Therefore, 1 male ostrich can mate with 4-5 female ostriches. However, in order to achieve the best breeding results, the male-female ratio should be 1:3.
Ostrich hatching
1. Egg collection, preservation, selection and disinfection
(1) Egg collection The vast majority of female ostriches lay eggs in the afternoon at 3-6 pm, and individual laying from the morning or night. Ostriches should pick up eggs in time after laying to reduce breakage and pollution. Male ostriches have the instinct to protect female ostriches and eggs, picking up two people to cooperate, one person will drive the bird away, one person to pick up the eggs. When picking up eggs, hands should be washed or wear gloves to avoid contamination of eggs. The contaminated eggs should be wiped clean with sterilized wet towel. Eggs must be registered, indicating the number of female and male breeding birds and the date of laying, and weighing number.
(2) egg selection Qualified eggs require clean, there should be no soil, feces and other dirt on the surface; the second requirement of the size of the moderate, egg weight is too large or too small will affect the hatchability and the quality of the chicks, the general requirements of the eggs weigh 1.5 kg or so, more than 2 kg and less than 1 kg of eggs should be eliminated in general. The third requirement is that the shape of the egg is ovoid, with a longitudinal diameter of 16-17 centimeters and a transverse diameter of 13-14 centimeters, and a low hatchability rate for over-long, over-rounded, flattened, and misshapen eggs. The color of the breeding eggs is generally creamy white or beige. The hatching rate of white-colored eggs is low.
(3) Egg preservation Egg storage should be placed vertically or tilted with the big head up, the time to 3-5 days is appropriate, if the storage period is not more than 7 days, can not turn the egg. If the storage period does not exceed 4 days, the preservation temperature of 16-18 ℃ is appropriate; more than 4 days should be about 13 ℃. Relative humidity is 60%.
(4) egg disinfection ostrich eggs from the maternal output will be cloacal excreta contamination and attached bacteria, with the passage of time, a large number of bacterial reproduction and through the shell of the air holes into the egg, the hatching of breeding eggs have an impact. Therefore, breeding eggs must be strictly sterilized. There are many ways to sterilize breeding eggs, and formaldehyde fumigation is commonly used. The method is to put the eggs in the egg storage room or disinfection cabinet, according to each cubic meter of space with formaldehyde solution (formalin) 30 ml, potassium permanganate 15 grams of dosage, at a temperature of 20-25 ℃ under the condition of airtight fumigation for 20 minutes. Using this method, it should be noted that formaldehyde reacts violently with potassium permanganate and is highly corrosive. Therefore, to use a larger volume of ceramic containers, first add a small amount of warm water, put potassium permanganate, and then add formaldehyde. 20 minutes later, we should discharge the smoke in the disinfection cabinet in a timely manner, to be gradually reduced to 18 ℃ the temperature of the eggs, transferred to the egg storage cabinets or into the incubator for incubation.
2. Incubation
(1) Preparation before incubation Before the eggs are incubated, we should carefully check the sealing of the incubation room, heat preservation, ventilation conditions, and the temperature inside the incubation room is best to be constant at 22-25 ℃. Fully disinfect the incubation room and equipment. Start the test temperature, preheating 2-3 days after the man can be incubated.
(2) management of the incubation period
Incubation temperature and humidity control Ostrich incubation period of 42 days, incubation in the early incubation temperature constant at 36.8 ℃, the late incubation 30-42 days, the embryo itself produces a large amount of heat, the need for a relatively low temperature to 36 ℃ is appropriate. Incubation requires low humidity, the relative humidity in the incubator is 20%-40% (different countries and regions reported inconsistencies). The appropriate relative humidity is determined by the rate of weight loss of incubated eggs. The most suitable relative humidity in the incubator is when the weight loss rate of the eggs is 14% during the whole incubation period. When the relative humidity of the incubation room environment is 40%, there is basically no need for humidification in the incubator. If the relative humidity in the incubation room is lower than 40%, humidification is needed. When the ambient relative humidity is up to 70%, the incubator itself can not bring down the humidity inside the incubator, it is necessary to use the incubation room to set up additional air conditioning or dehumidification of the air into the incubator.
Egg shining: the purpose of egg shining is to observe the degree of embryonic development and abnormalities, and to remove the spermless eggs and dead embryonic eggs in time. The first photo is taken at the time of hatching to check whether the air chamber is facing up when the eggs are put into the egg tray. The second time is on the twelfth day of hatching, at this time, the beak and beak tip of the ostrich began to form, the legs and wings are roughly differentiated, the allantoic membrane extends to the inner surface of the eggshell membrane, the embryo's trunk is enlarged, and the blood vessels can be seen clearly when the egg is illuminated, and the head and trunk can be seen in two small round balls, known as the "double beads". Into the thirty-fourth day of hatching for the third time in the egg, at this time the egg all black, can not see the blood vessels, the small head of the egg is filled with embryos, known as the "seal door".
Turn the egg: ostrich egg yolk contains more fat, lighter specific gravity, floating in the middle of the egg tied by the tie, the embryo to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. If it is in a position for a long time, the yolk can not be maintained in the center of the egg, and it is easy to adhere to the inner membrane of the eggshell. The purpose of turning the egg is to localize the external space of the embryo, but also to prevent adhesion and promote amniotic membrane movement.
Ostrich eggs incubation period is generally every 2 hours to turn over the egg 1 time, 40 days after the transfer to the fledgling apparatus to stop turning over the egg. At present, the general incubator designed to turn the egg angle of 45 degrees forward and backward, according to research, if the egg angle increased to 50-55 degrees, will promote embryonic development and blood circulation, so that the hatching rate has improved.
Falling disk and fledgling: ostrich embryo incubation to 40 days from the incubator to the fledgling for the falling disk. At this time, the embryo is from the uropygial chorioallantoic membrane respiration converted to lung respiration physiological changes in the most intense period. Embryo gas metabolism is vigorous, if the oxygen supply is insufficient, the embryo will die. After transferring the embryo to the fledgling apparatus, you can get more fresh air, and good heat dissipation conditions, which is conducive to the embryo through the dangerous period.
If the fetal position of the baby bird is normal, the head is above the toes, the baby bird beak breaks the egg membrane to enter the air chamber, and can come out of the shell by itself in about 12 hours. It is very important to break the umbilical cord after shelling. If the umbilical cord is not broken well, bacteria will enter through the umbilical cord and cause infection. The umbilical cord is usually well absorbed and will not bleed when the bird emerges from the shell. The umbilical cord can be sterilized by applying iodine to the end of the cord and then wrapped with sterilized gauze. If the bird pecks through the egg membrane and enters the air chamber, and has not pecked through the egg shell in 12 hours, or if the fetus is not in the right position and has not entered the air chamber in 41 days, it is necessary to make a small hole at the top of the air chamber to supply the bird with sufficient oxygen, and gradually peel off the egg shell at the top, so as to allow the bird to come out of its shell in a white line. After another 6 hours, if the bird is still not out of the shell, it is necessary to assist the birth, starting from the head of the bird to peel down the shell, each time peeling the shell accounted for 1/5 of the length of the longitudinal axis of the egg, found that the inner membrane of the shell white or red blood vessels to stop peeling down the shell, stop for 2-3 hours to peel down the shell again, peeling down the shell from the head to the back of the bird until the tail, and finally from the umbilical cord part of the egg shell. The umbilical cord is sterilized and bandaged with iodine. After 2 days, the umbilical cord is sterilized and bandaged again. Midwifery is used only as a last resort, do not rush to carry out midwifery, in principle, let it come out of the shell by itself, midwifery should be postponed as far as possible.
The chicks should be picked up in time after the shells come out, and then let the chicks stay in the chicks until their feathers are dry and they can stand and walk before transferring them to the brooder room. Artificially assisted chicks are weak and need to stay in the brooder longer. Some chicks are found to have deformed legs and toes right out of the shell, which need to be corrected in time. If it is in the shape of a figure of eight, the use of sterilized gauze to leave a certain distance between the two legs tethered together, usually a few days later can be corrected.
Male and female identification: 15 months of age before the ostrich body shape and feathers are basically the same, it is difficult to distinguish male and female from the appearance. Male and female identification is conducive to group feeding and nutritional rationing. Fledgling ostrich males and females are identified by turning the anus, that is, turning the anus of the baby ostrich to see if there is a penis bent to the left. But this method is only about 70% accurate. Therefore, the male and female identification of the nestling ostrich should be carried out several times, generally at 1 week of age, 2 months of age, 3 months of age, respectively, for identification.
Nutritional needs of the ostrich
Crude fiber is one of the most important nutrients in the ostrich feed, but it has not yet been determined that the ostrich's need for fiber. Determination of the fiber content of the feed depends on the age of the ostrich and generally ranges from 6% to 18%. Ostrich protein requirements have not been accurately determined, the general crude protein content of the feed for 14% -22%, chick ostrich feed in the crude protein content is the highest, and later with the growth of age and reduce. Breeding ostrich feed crude protein content of 18% is appropriate. Nutritional research on ostriches to the United States Angel (1993) reported the most comprehensive. It has been proved that ostriches can digest more than 50% of the neutral detergent fiber in the feed at the age of 10 weeks, and that ostriches after 10 weeks of age are 40% more efficient than chickens in obtaining energy from the feed. Although young ostriches under 10 weeks of age cannot utilize fiber as efficiently as adult ostriches, the feed should contain fiber to promote the establishment of a beneficial microbiota in the hindgut of young ostriches.
In the ostrich egg-laying period, brooding period and the growth and development of young birds, to meet the supply of calcium and phosphorus is very important, if the feed supply is insufficient or the ostrich itself absorption obstacles will seriously affect the growth and development of young birds, so that the newborn young birds weak bones, resulting in the tarsus metatarsus, toes curved, leg bones, wing bones are easy to fracture; species of ostriches lack of calcium, phosphorus, the manifestation of the eggshell is rough or thin and fragile, and even lay soft-shelled eggs, affecting the laying of soft-shelled eggs. Even laying soft-shelled eggs, affecting the number of eggs laid and hatching rate. Magnesium deficiency in the early stage of vascular dilation, congestion and increased pulse rate, serious deficiency will make the ostrich spasm, nervousness and other symptoms. The appropriate amount of magnesium added to ostrich feed is 0.23%-0.25%.
In the ostrich feed nutrition, vitamin E and selenium is also very important. Ostrich clinical cases of muscle degenerative diseases associated with vitamin E and selenium deficiency. It has been found that the ostrich's cerebral softening disease may be due to the lack of vitamin E. The lack of vitamin E in adult birds is mainly manifested in the pathological changes of the reproductive organs and the disorders of the reproductive function. Such as delayed oestrus, increased mismatch, a significant increase in the number of spermless eggs, a decline in the number of eggs laid, or even no oestrus, no eggs, which means that the female bird loses normal fertility. The recommended level of vitamin E in feed is 80 international units/kg. The recommended level of selenium is 0.1 mg/kg. Nutritional levels of ostrich diets at various stages are shown in Table 4-2.
Ostrich feed and feed formulation
1. Green feed There are two main categories of ostrich feed, one is green feed, and the other is combined with concentrate feed. Ostrich feed to green feed-based, accounting for about 70% of all rations, adult ostrich daily green 2.5-5 kg. Green feed requirements for fresh, no rot, no pesticide pollution, washed without soil. Chopped before feeding, the length of 0.5-3 centimeters, put in the slot free feeding. Although the ostrich can digest crude fiber, but straw and lignification of roughage is very high not only low utilization, but also easy to cause glandular stomach obstruction. Therefore, the ostrich roughage requirements are relatively high. Generally should be leguminous pasture, grass pasture and a variety of green vegetables as ostrich feed. Including alfalfa, red clover, columnar grass, elephant grass, royal grass, sweet potato vine, endive, carrot, ryegrass, Mexican corn, acacia leaves and so on. In the actual feeding of a variety of green feed reasonable combination, its feeding effect is better (Table 4-3). The following plants are toxic and harmful to ostriches: rhododendron, black acacia, green algae, castor, cranesbill, delphinium, rhododendron, golden chain flower, poisonous parsley, Indian turnip, juniper, prickly pea grass, mulberry orange, epiphyllum, lobelia, oak, oleander, lentil plants and so on.
2. The preparation of concentrate feed ostrich concentrate feed used in the raw materials and pigs, chickens, similar to the biggest feature is that you can use a lot of grass meal. With the concentrate feed is best made of granular feed, ostrich like to eat at the same time to reduce waste, particle size to 6-8 mm is appropriate.
(1) the preparation of concentrate for chicks ostrich 1-3 months old chicks in the mixture, the content of crude protein in the 21% -22%, if you simply feed a mixture of concentrate containing high protein, will soon lead to the occurrence of leg disease. Its requirements for calcium, phosphorus and other mineral elements are much higher than those of chicks and ducks, and some calcium-containing feeds such as shellac, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate can be added to the feed. If the chick feed to chick ostrich, should add 2% -2.5% of bone meal, can effectively prevent the occurrence of leg disease.
Recommended feed formula: 56% corn, 6% wheat, 12% soybean meal, 3% bran, 6% imported fishmeal, 10% alfalfa grass meal, 0.4% salt, calcium bicarbonate 1.8%, 0.8% shellac, 3% bone meal, 0.4% methionine, 0.4% lysine, multi-vitamins, 0.1%, trace elements 0.1%. Daily feeding: 1-30 days old 120 grams, 31-60 days old 120-600 grams, 61-90 days old 600-700 grams.
(2) the breeding ostrich concentrate preparation 3 months of age or more of the breeding ostrich should be changed to feed the growth period material, the recommended crude protein content of 16% -17%. At the same time, attention should also be paid to calcium and phosphorus supplementation, the calcium and phosphorus needs of the breeding ostrich is 30%-40% higher than that of the growing chicken.
Recommended feed formula: 46% corn, 6% wheat, 8% soybean meal, 10% bran, 4% imported fishmeal, 20% alfalfa grass meal, 0.4% salt, 2% calcium phosphate, 0.5% shellac, 2.5% bone meal, 0.2% methionine, 0.2% lysine, multivitamins, 0.1%, 0.1% trace elements. Daily feeding: 4-7 months old 0.8-1.4 kg, 7-12 months old 1.4-1.9 kg.
(3) egg-laying ostrich concentrate preparation The key to egg-laying ostrich feeding is the supply of balanced diets, especially the supply of energy can not be too much, metabolic energy to 10.5 MJ / kg is appropriate. Otherwise, female ostriches will be obese, resulting in a substantial decline in egg production or stop. The crude protein content of concentrate feed is 18%. The content of calcium and effective phosphorus is 3% and 1% respectively. Lysine and methionine + cystine content of 0.90% and 0.75% respectively.
The vitamin and trace element requirements of the ostrich egg-laying period compared with the breeder varies greatly. Ostriches need vitamins in addition to vitamin E, pantothenic acid, biotin and similar to the breeder, vitamin A than the breeder 6000 international units / kg, vitamin D than the breeder 1000 international units / kg, vitamin B1 than the breeder 1.2 mg / kg, vitamin B2 than the breeder 2.2 mg / kg, niacin than the breeder 20 mg / kg, choline than the breeder 300 mg / kg. The requirement of iron, zinc, choline is 300mg/kg higher than that of breeder. Its iron, zinc and iodine requirements are also higher than those of breeders, while copper requirements are lower than those of breeders. Therefore, the use of multi-dimensional and trace element additives for breeders is unscientific, and feedlots with conditions should be prepared separately.
Recommended feed formula: 44% corn, 5% wheat, 12% soybean meal, 5% bran, 7% imported fishmeal, 20% alfalfa grass meal, 0.4% salt, 2% calcium phosphate, 0.6% shellac, 3.3% bone meal, 0.25% methionine, 0.25% lysine, 0.1% multivitamin, 0.1% trace elements.
Ostrich broodstock feeding management
Fledgling ostrich from shell to 3 months of age for the broodstock period. During this period of the nestlings due to a variety of physiological functions are not yet sound, low resistance, very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. The slightest failure in feeding management will cause significant losses, affecting the survival rate of the brood, or increase the elimination rate. Therefore, the feeding management of the brood period is a key part of the success or failure of ostrich farming.
1. Preparation before brooding
(1) brooder house The brooder house is specially designed for raising chicks up to 3 months of age. Requirements dry, hygienic, well ventilated. 1 week before the chick, carry out a comprehensive cleaning and disinfection, the ground and walls with 1% -2% kerosene spray disinfection, and then close the doors and windows, with formaldehyde solution, potassium permanganate fumigation disinfection. Set up a pool of caustic soda disinfection at the entrance of the brooder room. 1 day before entering the brood, the temperature of the brooder room will be raised to 22-25 ℃, and keep the relative humidity 50% -60%.
(2) brooder equipment At present, most areas in China use the brooder umbrella or infrared lamps to brood. Brooder umbrella is generally used in large folding electric brooder umbrella, umbrella top with electronic temperature controller, umbrella with ceramic far-infrared heating plate or U-type infrared iron tube heating, power 1000 watts. Thoroughly disinfect the brooder umbrella or brooder box before entering the brood. Turn on the thermostat on the umbrella or infrared lamp on the brooder box, and adjust the temperature to 34-36℃. Add a protective net around the umbrella and brooder box.
The food trough is required to be smooth and flat, easy for the chicks to eat, and easy to clean and disinfect. The trough should be fixed, otherwise the chicks will step over, wasting feed and possibly injuring the chicks. The water trough is usually a water basin, which should be cleaned and sterilized before use. Ostrich drinking is characterized by the mouth forward to play water, and then head upward. Therefore, use a wide basin to hold water.
2. Feeding management of nestling ostriches
(1) Fledgling Fledgling out of the shell in the fledgling apparatus for 24 hours, and then transferred to the brooder room for rearing. The rearing density of newborn chicks is 5-6 per square meter, with the increase in age gradually reduce the density, to 3 months of age when the baby ostrich at least 2 square meters each. According to the growth in the age of the chicks and gradually divided into groups.
(2) Temperature regulation The temperature of the first week of brood control at 34-36 ℃, and then reduced by 2 ℃ per week to the seventh week to reach 21-22 ℃ can be. 1 week old chicks resistance is low, sudden changes in temperature, wind or rain, etc., will make the chicks caused by colds, pneumonia and death. It is important to observe the chicks frequently and adjust the temperature according to their activity status. When the temperature is low, the chicks will be close to the heat source, huddle together, and emit trembling squeaks, which can easily cause crush injuries or death by pressure. This is especially important at night or during power outages. When the temperature is high, chicks breathe with their mouths open and drink increased amounts of water. If the temperature is moderate, the chicks are lively and active, have a strong appetite, glossy feathers, rest and sleep quietly. 2 months of age can be removed from the artificial insulation, in case of cold season can be appropriately delayed.
(3) open food and feeding The freshly shelled chicks are not hungry, and the yolk in their abdomen provides enough nutrition to meet the nutritional needs of 48-72 hours. Too early to open the food will make the yolk absorption is incomplete, damage to the digestive organs, the future growth and development is unfavorable. Therefore, it is better to start eating 72 hours after the chicks come out of the shell. Before food should be given to drink water, water plus 0.01% potassium permanganate. After drinking water for 2 hours and then fed to the mixed concentrate feed, concentrate feed to powder mixed with wet feeding, can also be used for tender green leaves, juicy grass, boiled and chopped eggs as food. During this period can not be used in the brooder umbrella, brooder box bedding grass and other bedding, because at this time the chicks can not distinguish between what can be eaten and can not be eaten, as long as the things can be swallowed into the food, often resulting in intestinal obstruction. 1 week old chicks feed to feed less diligently as the principle, every 3 hours to feed once, and then gradually reduced to 4 hours to feed once. Each time the first feed green feed, then feed concentrate feed, each time to not leftover material shall prevail. 1 weeks of age after feeding can not be mixed with wet material, and change to feed pellets. 1-3 months of age of the chicks concentrate accounted for 60% of the ration, 40% of the green feed. Magnesium deficiency can cause bone lesions, from 3 weeks of age, can be supplemented with magnesium sulfate in the drinking water, the amount of additives for each 10 liters of water plus 5 grams.
(4) light and ventilation 1-8 days old 20-24 hours of light per day, 2-12 weeks of age 16-18 hours of light per day. 1 week of age, if the weather is sunny, the outside world temperature is high, you can put the chicks on the sports field activities. Sunlight. Sunlight has a great effect on chicks, it can make the 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin of chicks change into vitamin D, which is involved in calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, preventing the occurrence of leg disease. Therefore, the chicks should be allowed to move in the sunlight as much as possible. In the north of China, winter brood, can build a glass greenhouse sports field or plastic shed sports field.
The purpose of ventilation is to discharge the dirty indoor air and replace it with fresh air, and also to regulate the indoor temperature and humidity. In the hot summer, the brooder house should open the window to ventilate. In winter, ventilation should avoid convection, and keep the chicks away from the wind to prevent colds. General ventilation is subject to not smelling ammonia odor. If the ostrich rearing density is large, the indoor excreta is more, the ammonia produced is more, which will directly affect the growth and development of the ostrich.
(5) comprehensive epidemic prevention measures The body resistance of the chicks is poor, easy to get sick, so it is necessary to take comprehensive epidemic prevention measures. In addition to feed to ensure nutrition, the main should strengthen the health and disinfection, drinking water to ensure clean, feed to ensure fresh and not spoiled. Especially in the summer to feed chicks grass and vegetables, chopped should be fed as soon as possible, do not store for too long, otherwise it is very easy to rot and produce nitrite. Environmental hygiene is particularly important, some diseases in chicks have a great relationship with environmental hygiene and feeding utensils are contaminated. Such as umbilical infection, yolk sac infection, dysentery, etc., are common diseases in chicks. It is mainly due to poor disinfection of the umbilical cord of the chicks or too high humidity in the brooder room, mold reproduction caused by infection. The exercise yard should be cleaned frequently, and there should not be twigs, gravel, broken glass, wire or plastic bags and other debris, which, if swallowed by the ostrich, will lead to indigestion, glandular stomach obstruction or traumatic gastritis. In order to prevent diseases, the brooder house, utensils, work clothes, shoes and hats and the surrounding environment are disinfected regularly and irregularly. 2 months of age, according to the epidemic situation, the chicks are given preventive injections of Newcastle disease, bronchitis and Escherichia coli disease.
Ostrich breeding feeding management
1. Breeding feeding When the ostrich grows to 4 months of age, the weight has reached 36 kg, has been able to adapt to a variety of natural conditions, should be changed to feed the breeding period. Transition from the brood period to the breeding period, to do a good job of feed replacement. The practice is: the first week after the warmth is still feeding broodstock, the second week with 2/3 broodstock plus 1/3 broodstock, the third week with 1/3 broodstock plus 2/3 broodstock, from the fourth week onwards, all with broodstock. Feeding ostrich in the breeding period, the most critical thing is to prevent it from overfatting. So as the ostrich age increases, the ability to absorb and use crude fiber gradually increased, it should be as much as possible to feed green feed, limit the amount of mixed concentrate feed. In the morning of summer and fall, the ostrich can be driven to alfalfa field or artificial grass grazing after the dew disappears. You can't graze with dew, because dew will wet the ostrich's abdomen, causing bloating and diarrhea. Not grazing the breeding ostrich, feeding should be regular, quantitative, to feed 4 times a day is appropriate.
2. Management of the breeding period 3 months of age or older in the spring and summer ostrich can be kept outside the house, late fall and winter daytime feeding outside the house, the night to be driven into the feeding shed. Ostriches originally live in the desert area, like sand bath, through the sand bath can be clean and remove body surface parasites, increase the amount of exercise. Feeding shed and sports ground to pad sand, preferably with yellow river sand, sand size moderate, sand thickness of 10-20 centimeters. The sports ground can be used to partially pave the sand, partially planted grass, while planting some shade trees or building shade shelters.
The ostrich's nerves are more sensitive, when frightened, the whole group stirred and ran wild, easy to cause trauma and difficult labor. Therefore, to ensure that the environment around the ostrich field is quiet, to avoid sirens, mechanical impact, blasting and other sudden strong vibration.
2 hours after feeding should drive the ostrich movement, in order to avoid the ostrich excessive fat deposition, which is more important for large groups of breeding ostrich, drive movement each time to 1 hour is appropriate. Ensure the supply of clean drinking water, wash the water basin once a day and disinfect it once a week. Breeding ostrich feed a large amount of excretion of feces is also more. Therefore, the sports ground should often remove feces, foreign objects, regular disinfection.
When the ostrich grows to 6 months of age, the first plucking can be carried out, because the sale of feathers is a sizable income of breeding ostriches. Generally in the warm season plucking, winter can not be plucked. When plucking, do not use too much force to avoid damaging the skin, and the abdominal feathers cannot be plucked. Afterwards, every nine months to pluck 1 time.
Ostrich egg-laying feeding management
1. Egg-laying feeding
(1) Feeding methods Artificial ostrich daily activities are more regular. Therefore, it should be fed regularly and quantitatively according to its life pattern. Every morning at dawn, the ostrich runs around the side netting on the sports ground, and runs for 15-20 minutes after mating and feeding. So the first feeding time to 6:30 to 7:30 in the morning is appropriate. 4 times a day feeding, each feeding interval as equal as possible. The order of feeding can be rough first and then concentrate, or mix the concentrate feed into the green fodder and feed together. The amount of concentrate fed is generally controlled at about 1.5 kilograms per person to prevent over-fertilization and a decline in egg production or stop production.
(2) feed and nutrition during egg-laying ostrich with 18% crude protein content is appropriate, metabolizable energy 10,5 MJ / kg. Green fodder is mainly free-feeding. Special attention should be paid to the breed of birds on the intake of calcium, in addition to feed to give enough calcium and phosphorus, in the pen can be set up to feed the bone meal trough, any species of ostrich free feeding.
2. Management of the egg-laying period
(1) grouping Female ostriches reach sexual maturity at 24-30 months of age, male ostriches reach sexual maturity at 36 months of age. Sexual maturity before feeding in large groups, each group of 20-30, 1 month before laying eggs for the mate grouping. Generally 4 (1 male and 3 females) as a feeding unit. Flocking work is generally carried out in the evening, the female ostrich is first introduced into the breeder's house, and then the male bird is introduced, so as to reduce the exclusivity between males and females, and between the species.
(2) sports field The ostrich body size is large, the need for sports field area is correspondingly large. 1 feeding unit (1 male and 3 female) about 1500 square meters. This can provide the ostrich with a relatively free range of activities, which is conducive to improving the fertilization rate and preventing over-fertilization. Ostriches are generally regular free movement, no need to drive movement. If the feeding group is large, 7 or 14 or more for a feeding unit, then drive exercise is required, preferably in the morning and afternoon every day 1-2 hours each.
The sports ground should be kept in good hygiene, and the feces and debris should be removed from the ground at any time. Don't place debris casually beside the bird pen and the feeding trough, so as to prevent the ostrich from accidentally ingesting hard foreign objects, which will lead to obstruction of the foregastric area and intestinal perforation, resulting in a very fatal situation. It is best to disinfect the exercise yard and shed once a week.
(3) rest in order to maintain the female ostrich's excellent egg-laying performance, to extend its useful life, need to be forced to rest in order to maintain the female ostrich's excellent egg-laying performance, to extend its useful life, need to be forced to rest. Generally mastered in November of each year to January for the rest period. At the beginning of the moratorium period when male and female birds are kept separately, stop breeding, stop feeding concentrate 5 angels female ostriches to stop laying eggs, and then fed to the moratorium feed.
(4) Capture If you want to change the playing field or sell the ostrich need to be captured, you should be especially careful. Because the ostrich skull is very thin spongy, head and neck connection is also relatively fragile, can not withstand the impact. One day before the capture in the shed feeding, while it feeds into the shed, capture need to be 3-4 people to cooperate, grab the neck and wing feathers, hold the front chest, in the head of the black hood to make it stable. Once the ostrich is hooded and blindfolded, it is at one's mercy and can be smoothly loaded into cages and vehicles. But the ferocious ostrich to be especially careful, in the capture of 3-4 hours before feeding some sedative drugs in moderation.
(5) Transportation Breeding ostriches must be cut down before transportation to ensure that there are no mature eggs in the oviduct during transportation. Stop feeding feed 3-4 hours before transportation, and add vitamin C, salt and sedatives to the drinking water to prevent stress. Transportation season is preferable to fall, winter and spring, and it is best to choose the night time, because the ostrich can not see the outside scenery, which can reduce the commotion. Transportation tools and cages should be sterilized, and the cages should be strong and ventilated, with black mesh on top. Observe the ostrich dynamics at any time during transportation, and pay attention to the long-distance transportation to give water at regular intervals. Keep the vehicle well ventilated, and put on the black hood for the ostrich that is restless. Due to the stress of the arrival of the ostrich, 1-3 days will often show a decrease in appetite, feces are granular. Vitamins and electrolytes should be supplemented in time, and feed should be fed in a gradual transition to facilitate the recovery of ostriches after transportation stress.
Site selection
Site selection, the first consideration to meet the ecological conditions of the ostrich, it is advisable to choose a warm climate, dry, less "rain", non-mined areas and no major storms invade the place. Address is best built in the sandy slopes, dry, solid, smooth drainage around, not affected by flash floods, flooding; field around the environment should be quiet, away from traffic arteries, residential areas, industrial production areas and poultry farms, to avoid noise interference, environmental pollution and the spread of disease. In addition, we should also consider the convenience of transportation and the supply conditions of water, electricity and forage.
Planning and layout
Ostrich farm design should be based on the scale of feeding to determine the area, reserved for the development of space, according to the requirements of health and epidemic prevention and reasonable layout.
A complete system of ostrich farms should be divided into feeding area, incubation area, feed and product processing area, working life area and feed base. Feeding production area should be separated from the management and living areas to reduce the interference of the outside world on the ostrich. The rearing area should also be divided into breeding ostrich area, brooding area, reserve breeding ostrich area, commercial ostrich area, etc., and there should be appropriate distance between each area. The processing room and manure yard should be located in the downwind direction of the rearing area
Colony construction
1. Design requirements
(1) Feeding area According to the biological characteristics of the ostrich, it is necessary to provide sufficient feeding area. If the feeding area is insufficient, the exercise yard is narrow, and the ostriches rush into each other, causing injuries and leading to a decline in production performance, and even digestive diseases. In extensive grassland fencing grazing, the area is not restricted. Under intensive feeding conditions, it is arranged according to the principles of economy, reasonableness and appropriate density. Each ostrich pen area: 1-60 days old, indoor 0.3-0.8 square meters, outdoor 2 square meters; 61-180 days old, indoor 2 square meters, outdoor 15 square meters; 181-540 days old, indoor 4 square meters, outdoor 25 square meters. square meters; breeding ostrich, indoor 10 square meters, outdoor 300 square meters.
(2) fencing ostrich farms separated by fences, bar height of about 2 meters, the material should be smooth and non-thorned, preferably with a certain degree of elasticity, so as to avoid ostrich collision injuries. Available wire mesh, metal pipe fences, can also use simple bamboo and wood fences.
(3) paving sand indoor, sports field paved 5-20 cm thick sand, so that the ground hardness is moderate.
(4) Drainage The entire site should be divided into areas and columns to build drainage ditches.
(5) Greening It is best to set up a 1-1.5 meters wide green belt around the pen, which can purify the environment and plant green fodder.
2. Breeding ostrich pens Breeding ostrich is generally 1 male, 3 female for a breeding unit, the pen to raise, need to use an area of 1200-1500 square meters, of which 40 square meters of the birdhouse area, the rest of the sports field. The birdhouse is used as a shelter from wind, rain, shade and to teach the breeding birds to lay eggs. Because the ostrich is tall, the door should be wide, the door height should not be less than 3 meters, easy to ostrich in and out. Birdhouse is open to the side of the sports field, the house to do a 1-meter-wide, 0.2-meter-deep sand nest for female ostriches to lay eggs. In the breeding season, the neighboring species of ostrich pens are best covered with fiber cloth to avoid interfering with each other between species of birds breeding. Breeding ostrich pen building mode has a double column type small room, single column type large room and group rearing large enclosure house, can also be based on the scale of feeding, topography, etc. to suit the local choice of building mode (see Figure 4-1, 4-2, 4-3).
3. Fledgling ostrich pen house Fledgling house requirements similar to the chick house, should have heat preservation, dry, ventilation, heat functions, with ventilation and warming facilities. The pen should be north to south, with the corresponding half-shade sports field. In order to prevent rodent infestation, the indoor cement floor. The exercise yard has 1/3 of the cement floor, the rest is sand (see Figure 4-4).