What do ostriches eat in the wild and at home. In the autumn-winter period

In our article we want to talk about, though not flying. The ostrich is a funny and unusual bird. Generally speaking, each breed is unique and has its own characteristics. Ostriches, on the other hand, fascinate primarily with their dissimilarity to others. In our country, these beautiful birds can be seen infrequently, and therefore it is so interesting to watch them.

What kind of bird?

It is believed that these special birds appeared on the planet 12 million years ago. Absolutely all types of ostriches belong to a subclass (flightless), they are also called running. Ostriches live in warm countries Australia and Africa, preferring semi-desert areas and savannas.

These special birds are completely different in behavior from their counterparts. An interesting fact is that, translated from Greek the word "ostrich" means nothing more than "camel sparrow". Isn't it a funny comparison for how at the same time the same creature can look like two completely different individuals? It is probably not for nothing that people who hide from problems are called ostriches. After all, there is even such a popular expression: "Hiding your head in the sand, like an ostrich." Do birds really behave this way, and why did they deserve such an unflattering comparison?

It turns out that in real life ostriches don't hide their heads. In a moment of danger, the female may rub her head on the ground to be less noticeable. Thus she tries to save her offspring. From the outside, it may seem that the bird sticks its head in the sand, but this is absolutely not the case. In animals in wild nature quite a lot of enemies: lions, jackals, eagles, hyenas, snakes, predator birds, lynx.

Appearance

No other bird on earth can boast of such a large size. The ostrich is undoubtedly the most large bird on the planet. But at the same time, so strong and big creature can't fly. Which, in principle, is not so surprising. The weight of an ostrich reaches 150 kilograms, and the height is 2.5 meters.

At first it may seem that the bird is rather clumsy and awkward. But that's not the case at all. It simply knocks down the dissimilarity of this creature to all other birds. Ostriches have a large body, a small head, but at the same time very long neck. Birds are very unusual eyes, which stand out on the head and are bordered thick eyelashes. The legs of an ostrich are long and strong.

The body of the bird is covered with slightly curly and loose feathers. Their color can be brown with white, black with white patterns (mainly in males). What distinguishes all types of ostriches from other birds is the complete absence of the so-called keel.

ostrich species

Ornithologists classify ostriches as running birds, which include four families: three-toed creatures, two-toed and cassowaries, as well as kiwi (small wingless).

Currently, several subspecies of the African bird are distinguished: Massai, Barbary, Malay and Somali. All these types of ostriches exist to this day.

And here are two more species that once lived on earth, but are now classified as extinct: South African and Arabian. All African representatives are impressive in size. It is difficult to find another bird with such parameters. The weight of an ostrich can reach one and a half centners (this applies to males), but females are more modest in size.

It is also worth remembering the nandu-shaped ones. This is the second species, which is often referred to as ostriches. It includes two representatives: Darwin's rhea and the big rhea. These birds live in the Amazon basin and on the plateaus and plains of the South American mountains.

Representatives of the third order (cassowaries) live in New Guinea and Northern Australia. It includes two families: cassowaries (cassowary muruka and common cassowary) and emu.

But the last species includes kiwi. They live in New Zealand and are even its symbol. Kiwis are very modest in size compared to other running birds.

African ostriches

The African ostrich, although it is the most big bird on the ground, but unable to fly. But on the other hand, nature endowed him with an amazing ability to run incredibly fast.

The bird has another feature that we mentioned - it's a small head, which gave rise to talk that ostriches have very meager mental abilities.

On foot African ostrich there are only two fingers. A similar phenomenon cannot be found in other representatives of the bird world. An interesting fact is that these two fingers are very different. The large one is more like a hoof, while the smaller one is much less developed. However, this does not prevent you from running fast. In general, an ostrich is a strong bird, you should not get too close to it, because it can also hit with a powerful paw. Adults can easily carry a person on themselves. The animal can also be attributed to centenarians, since it can live up to 60-70 years.

Lifestyle

The ostrich is a polygamous animal. In nature, during the mating season, males are surrounded by a whole harem of females, among which there is the most important. lasts given period from March to October. For the whole season, the female can lay from 40 to 80 eggs. The ostrich egg has a very large sizes. The shell is very white on the outside, it seems that it is made of porcelain. In addition, it is also durable. from 1100 to 1800 grams.

An interesting fact is that all females of one ostrich lay eggs in one nest. The father of the family hatches his offspring with the female he chooses. An ostrich chick is born sighted and weighs about a kilogram. He moves quite well and in a day begins to independently obtain food for himself.

Bird features

Birds have good eyesight and outlook. This is due to the peculiarities of their structure. Flexible and a special arrangement of the eyes make it possible to survey large spaces. Birds are able to focus on objects that are far away. This gives them and other animals the opportunity to avoid danger in the pasture.

In addition, the bird can run perfectly, while developing speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour. In those parts where the ostrich lives, in the wild it is surrounded by an incredible number of predators. And therefore good vision and the ability to run fast excellent qualities, helping to avoid the claws of the enemy.

What does an ostrich eat?

Since animals live in a hot climate, they can not always fully eat. That is why they are omnivores. Of course, plants are the main food. But ostriches can also eat up the remains after predators, insects, reptiles. In terms of food, they are completely unpretentious and very resistant to hunger.

Nandu

In the mountains South America nandu lives. This bird is similar to an ostrich, but has a more modest size. The animal weighs about forty kilograms, and the height does not exceed one hundred and thirty centimeters. Outwardly, the nandu is not distinguished by beauty. Its plumage is completely inconspicuous and rare (barely covers the body), and the feathers on the wings are not too lush. Nandu have powerful legs with three toes. Animals mainly feed on plants, tree shoots, seeds.

During the breeding season, females lay from 13 to 30 eggs, each of which weighs no more than 700 grams. The male prepares a hole for the eggs and incubates them all himself and takes care of the offspring in the future.

In nature, there are two types of nandu: ordinary and northern. At the beginning of the twentieth century, these animals were quite numerous, but soon found themselves on the verge of destruction due to mass extermination. And the reason for this is delicious meat and collecting eggs. In natural natural conditions Nanda can be seen only in the most remote places. Only there they managed to survive. But the rhea is hastily bred on farms and kept in zoos.

Emu

Emu looks a bit like a cassowary. In length, the bird reaches 150-190 centimeters, and the weight ranges from 30-50 kilograms. The animal is able to develop a speed of about 50 kilometers per hour. This is facilitated by the presence of long legs, which enable the birds to take steps up to 280 centimeters long.

Emus have absolutely no teeth, and in order to grind food in the stomach, birds swallow stones, glass, and even pieces of metal. Animals have not only very strong and developed legs, but also excellent vision and hearing, which makes it possible for them to detect predators before they have time to attack.

emu features

Emu can have different plumage depending on where they live. Animal feathers have a very special structure that prevents them from overheating. This enables the birds to lead active life even during very hot periods. Emu generally perfectly tolerate temperature differences from -5 to +45 degrees. Female and male individuals do not externally have any special differences, but they make different sounds. Females usually call louder than males. In the wild, birds live from 10 to 20 years.

Emus have small wings, a long light blue neck with gray-brown feathers that protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. The eyes of birds are covered with nictitating membranes that protect them from debris and dust in windy and arid deserts.

Emus are distributed almost throughout Australia, as well as on the island of Tasmania. The exception is dense forests, dry regions and large cities.

Animals feed on plant foods, these are the fruits of shrubs and trees, plant leaves, grass, roots. They usually feed on morning time. Often they enter the fields and eat crops of grain crops. Emu can also eat insects. But animals drink quite rarely (once a day). If there is nearby a large number of water, they can drink several times a day.

Emu often become victims of animals and birds: foxes, dingoes, hawks and eagles. Foxes steal eggs, and birds of prey strive to kill.

emu breeding

During the mating season, females acquire a more beautiful shade of feathers. They are quite aggressive and often fight among themselves. For a lone male, they can fight intensely.

Emu lay 10-20 eggs per season dark green with a very thick shell. Each of them weighs about a kilogram. Emus are also polygamous, and therefore several females lay eggs in one nest, after which the male incubates them. Hatched chicks weigh about half a kilogram, while their height is 12 centimeters. At a time when males are busy breeding offspring, they become incredibly aggressive, and therefore it is better not to disturb them.

In the wild in Australia, birds are protected by law, but this is just a formality. In fact, many populations have long been on the verge of extinction. The emu is the symbol and pride of the Australian continent.

From the history…

It is believed that ostriches appeared on the planet 12 million years ago. And the trade in feathers of these animals dates back to the early Egyptian civilizations and has three thousand years. In some countries, even before the beginning of our era, animals were kept in captivity. V Ancient Egypt noble ladies rode ostriches for festive ceremonies. Animal feathers began to be in great demand at the beginning of the nineteenth century, which led to a significant reduction in the number of birds. In the middle of the same century, a period of rapid development of ostrich breeding began. The first farm in Africa appeared in 1838. Animals were bred solely for the purpose of obtaining valuable feathers. For example, in South Africa at that time, the export of feathers was in fourth place after the export of gold, wool and diamonds.

Gradually, ostriches began to be bred in captivity in other countries and on other continents: in the USA, Algeria, Egypt, Australia, Italy, Argentina, New Zealand. But during the two world wars, this type of business almost ceased to exist, and the number of farms decreased significantly.

Instead of an afterword

African ostriches, rhea and emus are classified in the zoological literature as a suborder of running birds. However, as we have already mentioned, only the African ostrich, which is rightly considered the largest bird, can be attributed to the ostrich.

The world around us is full of unusual and outlandish animals. And one of them can be considered ostriches. These cute and adorable creatures with big eyes are simply irresistible. Currently, even in our latitudes, ostriches are bred in households to obtain valuable meat, eggs, feathers, and simply as exotic pets.

Ostriches like any other Domestic bird, require mandatory daily maintenance necessary quantity minerals and vitamins. The state of the bird and, ultimately, the quality of meat or eggs of ostriches depends on how the owner correctly and harmoniously composes the rules for feeding ostriches. feeding ostriches whose diet should be varied is an important component of the success of any

feeding ostriches

The diet of ostriches - more vitamins and minerals

All substances necessary for ostriches can be divided into several mandatory components:

• Squirrels: an ostrich can get them from various types of beans.
• Minerals: essential for strengthening the skeletal system of a bird - they can be gleaned from eggshell, bran.
• Vitamins: necessary for ostriches to increase immunity can be found in green-colored feed and hay.

Food for ostriches

Ostriches can be kept in different conditions, so the composition of feed can vary significantly. However, there are requirements that must be met regardless of other conditions:

1. It is important to ensure the necessary balance between the content of vitamins and nutrients, it is important to correctly combine proteins and carbohydrates, the ratio of 1:4 is considered ideal.
2. An adult ostrich can eat about five kilograms of food per day, but this does not mean that all food will be digested. It is important that part of the food is digested easily enough.
3. Ostriches are gourmets, it is important for their proper development that the food is tasty. These birds are especially fond of pumpkin, turnip, green grass.
4. For adult ostriches, bran or flour is not suitable as food, the best solution would be food in the form of pellets.

As for the frequency of feeding, adult birds eat no more than two times a day, and young birds three to four times.

Ostrich rearing systems that influence feeding principles:

Semi-intensive: additionally fed with mixtures containing useful substances, as well as hay prepared in advance. With such a rearing system, it is important that the conditions for keeping the birds are as close to natural as possible. During the breeding season, it is important to supplement their diet with useful substances.

Extensive: with such a system, the ostrich receives most of the food while in the open space that the farmer encloses on his territory. Only if the summer is dry or rainy, the owner should organize additional feeding of the bird.

During the period when the bird begins to actively breed, ostriches require additional feeding. Females need to increase the calcium content in the feed, while males should not add calcium to the feed. Since, in this case, zinc decreases in the bird's body, which is extremely important for high-quality offspring. Overeating and excess nutrients lead to obesity in birds and do not contribute to increased fertility.

Ostriches that have just hatched do not need to be fed immediately, because they have a so-called yolk sac, from which they are provided with food for a couple of days after birth. After a week, you can begin to feed the chicks with food containing special substances they need for growth and development. It is important to avoid feeding chicks under four months of age with fiber.

ostrich feeding, diet which should include all the necessary vitamins and minerals - the main component of any farmer. Do not forget about compliance with the drinking regimen. Although ostriches tolerate prolonged lack of moisture well, they are still quite willing to drink water. That is why it is important to provide ostriches with a container of water in time, especially during meals.

Breeding ostriches today is no surprise to anyone, this is a profitable business and the ranks of poultry businessmen are replenished. In principle, the maintenance of an exotic bird does not differ from the care of familiar geese or ducks, but it also has its own characteristics. We will talk about the intricacies of feeding an African guest in this article.

How the structure of the digestive system affects the diet of ostriches

The digestive system of birds corresponds to the way and conditions of life in arid savannahs and prairies. Unlike other poultry, ostriches do not have goiter. Food enters the esophagus through the esophagus, where it is softened by the liquid secreted from the walls of the organ.

Further, the mass enters the stomach with thick muscular walls, rigid inside. Since ostriches do not have teeth, they swallow small pebbles in large quantities. Contracting, the walls of the stomach, together with the stones, “chew” food, which consists mainly of coarse fibers.

Then in small intestine, more than five meters long, nutrients are absorbed from food by the walls of the organ. And in the paired processes of the caecum, the final breakdown of fiber and the release of water from food occur.
Due to this structure of the digestive system, ostriches can do without water for a long time, making up for its lack by absorbing moisture from food. The accumulation of undigested excesses occurs in the rectum and through the cloaca the intestines are released from them.

What does an ostrich eat in the wild?

African land is not the most fertile, so big birds adapted in the absence of greenery to replace it with food of animal origin. Along with branches, roots and seeds, birds do not disdain insects, small reptiles, even turtles and mice.

Did you know? Under natural conditions, ostriches are friends with wildebeests and zebras. Flightless giants, thanks to their excellent eyesight, are the first to notice predators and raise the alarm. And zebras and antelopes with sharp hooves knock out insects for birds from the grass.

A very varied diet is supplemented with coarse sand and pebbles to facilitate digestion. An adult eats about five kilograms of food per day in order to have enough energy.

How to feed an adult ostrich at home

The diet depends on the season, you need to provide pets with vitamins and minerals, as well as the fiber they need all year round.

Summer

In summer, juicy food predominates:

• fresh;
• young and her tops;
• fruits;
• and vegetables.

The green menu must be supplemented with cereals - corn, barley, oats.

Important! Be sure to have a separate container with small pebbles or gravel.

in winter

V cold season food mainly consists of cereals and hay, vegetables and root crops that are stored for the winter, as well as grass meal, silage, mineral and vitamin supplements.

The list of products include:

• cereals - wheat, millet, oats,;
• vegetables - , ;
• fruit - ;
• hay;
• bread and crackers;
• compound feed.

What not to feed

Ostriches are omnivorous, but there are foods that need to be given in a limited form, there are those that are prohibited.

List of unwanted products:

Foods that can be given in small amounts:

• cabbage;
• bran;
• flour.

Feeding systems

There are several bird diet systems, whichever one the owner chooses, you must always take into account the balance of nutrients.

intensive

The system assumes the keeping of birds in an aviary, the absence of walking on the pasture, which is replaced with chopped green fodder. Greens means fresh alfalfa, salads, rapeseed. The basis of the diet is feed up to three kilograms per day for each adult.

In addition, supplements:

• soybean and corn oil;
• fish flour;
• vitamin and mineral complexes.

Semi-intensive

This system implies conditions close to natural: the bird is constantly on the pasture and forages itself. Small amounts of concentrated mixtures are added to her green diet. In the first months of winter, breeding pets are supplemented with mixed feed. Since December, birds have been fed a kilogram of concentrate in granules, increasing consumption by March to three kilograms.

Important! Concentrated food is given only together with chopped forbs or other succulent food.

extensive

The bird is kept on pastures, foraging independently, in summer months This allows you to save on compound feed. They feed ostriches in case of rainy summer or too dry when succulent feed few. Bird concentrates are given only in winter.

Feeding the chicks

Babies need special care proper diet from the first days of life, health in the future depends, especially the formation bone tissue chicks. Newborn ostriches are not fed for three days: they have enough nutrients from the yolk sac.

Four-day-old pets are given carefully grated cottage cheese, chopped boiled egg, chopped green fodder, water. Green food is given in small quantities, but always fresh, not lethargic.

Teaching chicks to take food is not difficult: you need to sprinkle it on a flat surface and tap with your fingers. Toddlers will begin to copy the movement and learn to eat. Ostriches are given separate containers with sand so that they get used to filling the stomach with pebbles. In addition, the kids willingly bathe in it.
In the second week of life, you can begin to accustom the chicks to compound feed, first with crumbs, then in granules. Be sure to give juicy greens, almost unlimited, grated vegetables (pumpkin, carrots). Preferably before three weeks do not let out to pasture so that the chicks harden.

Breeding and rearing ostriches - profitable business which has become increasingly popular in recent years. But for breeders who are just starting to breed these birds, the question of feeding the bird often arises. It seems to many that this exotic bird eats something special and expensive. In fact, caring for ostriches, keeping them and feeding them is not much different from keeping any other birds: ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens.

The diet of ostriches

Ostriches are omnivorous birds, not herbivores, as many people think. They eat both plant and animal foods equally well.

The basis of nutrition consists of grass and leaves, various seeds and roots. but favorite treat adult birds - insects and reptiles. There is little difference between what ostriches eat in their natural habitat and at home.

Under natural conditions

Ostriches are inhabitants of the spacious savannas. In open spacious areas, they eat greens and young shoots. Grass is the basis of the diet. The bird can go without water for a long time, therefore, for nesting, it chooses an arid semi-desert, where there is a lower chance of meeting predators. In desert areas, they feed on seeds, roots and branches of shrubs. The lack of fresh grass is compensated by insects, small reptiles and even mice. An adult bird needs about 4 kg of feed per day. This amount of food is necessary for fast and long running and active energy exchange.

In a home environment

At home, feed this large and strong bird is not difficult, but proper nutrition is essential for the health and well-being of the bird. With sufficient and balanced food, young animals grow well and quickly, and females become more productive. The taste of meat and eggs also depends on what the ostriches eat. There are several bird feeding systems:

1. intensive,
2. semi-intensive,
3. Extensive.

Feeding with an intensive system

The intensive system consists in the lack of pasture and the maintenance of birds in small enclosures. With this system of housing and feeding, it is extremely important to provide the birds with the right amount of hay and green fodder. A daily adult requires about three kilograms of compound feed mixed with finely chopped green fodder. If the bird has not eaten food, the amount is reduced. Green fodder should consist of herbs, spinach leaves, rapeseed and alfalfa. Outside of the breeding season, it is recommended to give corn-based feed mixtures.

With an intensive feeding system, the composition and amount of feed depends on the age of the bird:

Ingredients (in grams per kilogram of live weight)	0-2 months	2-4 months	4-6 months	6-10 months	10-14 months	Over 14 months old
alfalfa	23	260	430	810	885	420
corn	578	502	464	173	100	—
corn oil	18	18	—	—	—	—
soybean oil	230	90	30	—	—	—
fish flour	120	105	60	—	—	9
dicalcium phosphate	5	7	11	11	11	15
chalk	18	13	3	—	—	—
methionine	1	2	1	2	2	2
vitamin and mineral	4	4	4.5	2.5	2	2
zinc bicitrate	0.5	0.5	—	—	—	—
alfalfa hay	—	—	—	—	—	552

Semi-intensive feeding system

The semi-intensive rearing and feeding system involves free grazing in the warm season and feeding with concentrated feeds and mixtures.

An important role is played by the creation of conditions close to natural and the ability to find food on their own. Breeding stock in December and January receives an additional kilogram of concentrates, and by March the amount of concentrated feed increases to three kilograms. All concentrates are given only together with chopped green fodder.

Extensive feeding system

An extensive feeding system implies minimal feed costs - in the summer months, the birds find food on their own.

An exception can only be a dry or excessively rainy summer. Concentrated feeds are given to birds only in winter time and in small quantities.

Regardless of the chosen feeding system, it is worth remembering that at home, the energy consumption of birds is much lower than in nature, which means they also need less food. On average, an ostrich needs about three kilograms of food per day. The protein balance throughout the year is well replenished with lupins, legumes or cake. Feeding of adult birds occurs once a day - more often in the morning.

In winter, vitamin supplements play an important role - grass flour, silage, vegetables, fruits and root crops. Vegetables and root crops must be thoroughly washed and finely chopped. Ostriches are very fond of cabbage, as well as carrots, apples, pears, fodder beets. Some birds feast on zucchini, lettuce, watermelons and melons. They can also be given crackers and fresh bread. Do not feed ostriches with potatoes and parsley. Substances contained in them lead to problems with digestion and death of young animals.

A separate feeder should always have shell rock, fine gravel or pebbles.

Drinkers should be installed in enclosures and pastures. Ostriches can go without water for a long time, but it is better to organize a good watering place for the birds.

Many breeders prefer to install automatic drinkers - they keep the water fresh and clean.

The diet of ostriches during breeding

During the breeding season, males and females require different diets. Females need more calcium, which is actively involved in the formation of eggs. It is better not to give calcium to males during this period - it reduces reproductive functions. An increase in nutrients in the diet of males threatens with obesity and the inability to fertilize a female. Breeders prefer to feed males and females separately during the period - this reduces the risk of problems with malnutrition birds. Males are recommended to be kept in an adjacent enclosure, releasing to the female for several hours for mating. However, you should first make sure that the female is full and remove the remnants of food from the feeder.

Feeding ostriches

Separately, it is worth considering the issue of feeding ostriches. Proper organization nutrition and living conditions not only affect their growth and development, but also survival in general.

The first four days of life, the chicks do not need food - nutrition occurs due to the resorption of the yolk sac, which is almost half the weight of the newborn.

Subsequently, it is important to ensure that the feeders of the young animals are constantly filled with food. All food for chicks should be of high quality and fresh, especially wet mash. The mixer is made from concentrated feed with the addition of alfalfa leaves. Alfalfa stalks are best removed - they lead to digestive problems. In addition to the mash, young animals are given a chopped boiled chicken egg.

Ostriches can be put in a separate feeder sand with small pebbles, crushed shells, pieces of lime, as well as finely chopped carrots and apples. In the enclosure where the chicks are kept, you can organize a sand embankment. Young growth not only willingly takes sand baths, but also digs in the sand in search of pebbles, shell rock, pebbles and even insects. Shell rock, limestone and shells not only ensure good digestion, but also play an important role in the process of skeletal formation. Monthly, the ostrich grows by 30-35 cm, so the strength of the skeletal system is extremely important.

If necessary, vitamins can be added to the water. In the first months of life, it is recommended to give B vitamins to young animals at the rate of five grams per chick. Under natural conditions, the chicks peck at the dung of their parents, getting from it the nutrients necessary for digestion and development. immune system microorganisms. At home, the breeder decides for himself whether or not to give manure to the chicks. Minus - the possibility of infection of young animals with worms. Plus - less digestive problems in the future.

The first walks in good weather can be organized as early as three weeks of age.

And chicks should be transferred to enclosures no earlier than when they reach three months of age. The aviary for young birds should be separated from the pens for adult birds and have shelter from wind, rain and sun. Be sure to have drinkers. In rainy weather, ostriches need additional heating - heaters are installed in poultry houses for this purpose. Wet feathers threaten hypothermia and diseases.

With the advent of winter, the number of walking is reduced. In frosty weather, as well as during icy conditions, it is better not to release the chicks. In the cold season, the chicks are fed with forb meadow hay, alfalfa, and concentrates. It is better to separate young animals intended for fattening and slaughter, and breeding young animals. During fattening, birds are advised to give more concentrates and feed, as well as vegetables and root crops.

At ostriches reach fighting weight at the age of 9-11 months with a weight of about 120 kilograms.

Further fattening is unprofitable - although ostriches continue to gain weight, the taste of meat is significantly deteriorating.

The ostrich is a feathered giant that looks like prehistoric animals. It is the largest non-flying creature with wings on our planet. This is due to the fact that he does not have a keel in the sternum. However, one born to run does not need to soar: he has powerful, strong legs and is an excellent runner. The weight of an adult can reach 150 kg, and height - 250 cm. Many people wonder what ostriches eat? Despite its impressive size, this gigantic creature belongs to herbivores, although sometimes it can treat itself to small amphibians or bugs.

Ostriches do not live in the most fertile corners of the Earth. They prefer to graze on savannahs or prairies, places where lush greenery or shrubs are not often found, which are the basis of their diet. In order to feed themselves and their offspring, they should make a lot of effort in finding suitable food.

To cope with difficult climatic conditions in arid regions, ostriches are helped by one unique feature: they are able to exist for a long period of time without water. When green bushes become insufficient for food, they switch to feeding on seeds, twigs and roots, interrupted, from time to time, by small reptiles. Together with the basic food, they swallow small pebbles contained in the soil, which contribute to better digestion of food.

During the day, this giant absorbs as much as 4 kg of food, but it is absolutely not demanding in the drinking regime. Habit for a long time to be content with a small amount of water, led to the choice of a desert area as an areola, in the expanses of which birds even nest.

In home farm conditions, the diet of ostriches is more varied and nutritious:

• all types of cereals;
• alfalfa;
• Clover;
• corn silage;
• nettle;
• beet;
• carrot;
• cabbage;
• legume crops.

Features of the digestive system

In birds of this species, there is no goiter, and the intestines, on the contrary, are too long. These specific traits buildings digestive system invented by nature not by chance: they are “sharpened” for the processing of coarse fiber of plant origin. The caecum is especially oblong, because in this place the process of decomposition of plant fibers takes place. The stomach looks like a fairly powerful organ with thick walls.

The function of the goiter was taken over by the pancreas, in which food is temporarily collected. Then it passes into the stomach, in which small pebbles and sand are found in sufficient quantities, which have a beneficial effect on its grinding. The further path lies to the small intestine, which is about 5 m long, and passes into the 8-meter rectum, ending in the cloaca.

The diet of ostriches living on a farm or in a private household

The issue of ostrich nutrition is still under study, but many years of practice have proven that alfalfa is the best food for them. It is absorbed the fastest, perhaps that is why the birds are ready to eat it all year round. In the summer it is added to compound feed, and in the cold season it is offered in the form of hay.

The specifics of feeding African birds kept in conditions that are not typical of their natural habitat depends primarily on the time of year: in summer it is much easier to provide them with quality food than in winter. Most of the time they graze and get their own food. The owner of the farm can only make the necessary adjustments to the nutrition schedule, supplementing them with compound feed or cereals. Ostriches love cereals in all sorts of variations: corn, oats, barley, etc.

In a saturated diet, it is desirable to diversify the menu with nutritious legumes, which will significantly increase energy value stern. Feathered giants eat grass in any variety. Nettle, clover and dandelions are very useful for their body.

Special mention deserves the fattening of young shoots. For feeding young animals, the menu for adults should be diluted with all kinds of mineral baits that will contribute to their growth. Suitable for these purposes fish fat, chalk or bone meal. It is recommended to introduce these components into the diet of ostriches starting from 72 hours of age. Until this time, nutrition is based solely on the residual yolk.

There are intensive, semi-intensive and extensive methods of nutrition. These systems are still under development, but already show good results after application in ostrich farms. When choosing a specific scheme, it is necessary to take into account the features climatic conditions ostrich habitat, its age and physiological characteristics.

Intensive technique

When birds are free-ranged, they should be provided with a sufficient amount of hay and particulate green fodder, which must be mixed with grain-based food. One individual can consume up to 3 kg of this assortment.

The main component of the "lunch" should be in the form of rich, juicy grass-based feed. For these purposes, rapeseed, alfalfa or herbs are perfect.

At the stage of female readiness for oviposition, the intensity of feeding is increased for the entire period of "motherhood". If you suddenly make adjustments to the existing "culinary" regime or reduce the degree of saturation of the body nutrients, the bird may stop laying.

Note! We should not forget about the need for the presence of sand and pebbles in the diet of ostriches: they must be in constant open access.

Semi-intensive technique

This diet involves walking birds in pastures and abundant feeding with concentrated mixtures. If possible, you should provide the birds with conditions that resemble them natural environment habitats, and fatten them with natural-based feed. It is very important that they are engaged in the extraction of their livelihood in sufficient quantities.

At the laying stage, additional feeding should be provided to the birds. In winter, it is advisable to give ostriches 1 kg of compound feed, gradually raising this figure to 3 kg.

In addition, it is important to ensure the constant availability of dispersed green mixtures. When birds do not show much interest in the mating process, it is necessary to increase the intensity of feeding.

Extensive technique

The cost of food according to this technique is minimal: the bird is independently engaged in the extraction of food. In order to apply this method, the ostrich farmer will need a fenced large area of ​​non-arable land on which birds can freely graze along with livestock. The only disadvantage of this system is the dependence on climatic conditions and natural characteristics. In the event of a dry period or, conversely, a prolonged rainy season, the pasture may not be suitable for walking birds.

Feeding during oviposition

The need to increase the saturation of the bird's body nutrients during oviposition differs between male and female. For example, in expectant mothers, due to the maturation of the shell, the need for calcium increases significantly. But for proud dads, the presence of a large amount of this element in the diet can do a disservice: calcium will inhibit the absorption of zinc, which is so necessary for the formation of sperm.

During this period, the method of separate feeding is recommended. It is advisable to keep the male in an adjacent enclosure with the female, taking her to the territory for mating every other day. It is very important to ensure that the female is fed by the time of intercourse.

Nutrition of ostriches

Complete feeding and high-quality conditions of detention are the main components that contribute to the good survival of chicks. Newborn ostriches need feeding not from the first day of their birth: at first they exist due to the yolk sac. Then you should constantly ensure that the chick feeders are constantly full. Adults can be fed twice a day, and babies should be given 24/7 access to a high quality liquid formula based on concentrated feed and de-stemmed alfalfa.

This point is very important, because alfalfa stalks provoke constipation in ostriches.

Gradually, starting from the 16th week, food with a fiber content that exceeds the previous norm should be introduced into the menu of babies. Also, before this period, they are forbidden to graze in meadows with alfalfa. In addition to food, for the first 4 months, babies are happy to eat chicken shells, limestone, carrots, small stones, an apple, in a word, everything that they can find in the walking area.

It is recommended to make a hill of sand and crushed shell rock in the aviary in order to improve the digestive processes of young animals. It is also desirable to add B vitamins and biotin to the feed. These elements are important for good formation strong musculoskeletal system.

It is not advisable to keep mature individuals in the same enclosure with the younger generation. This prohibition is associated with the risk of infection.

Drinking regime

Feathered giants easily endure thirst. However, if you provide them with a large amount drinking water, they will drink a lot, and with great pleasure. It is advisable to water them at the same time as feeding. To maintain the chick population, it is very important to constantly add fresh water. In addition, drinkers should always be cleaned and comply with sanitary and hygienic standards. The recommended cleanliness of cleaning is 1 time per day.

Features of catering on ostrich farms

In order to organize a bird breeding business, it is important to understand how many elements they need for full development.

Accepted norms of nutrients

Indicators	Starting type of diet	For young animals	For an adult bird
Metabolic energy, kcal/g	2540	2430	2485
Crude protein, %	18	19	20
Crude fat, %	4	4,25	4,40
Crude fiber, %	8	10	10
Dehydrated fiber, %	15	15	16
Calcium, %	2	2	2,5
Phosphorus, %	1	1	1
Lysine, %	1	1	1,2
Methionine, %	0,34	0,34	0,4
Cystine, %	0,3	0,3	0,3

In the form of additional food, you can feed cake and meal to birds. It is very important to give babies only soybean meal until they are 12 weeks old. Boiled potatoes and chopped vegetables will also have a good effect on their body. In no case should you feed parsley.

Annual feeding rate of birds

Taking into account the fact that the ostrich is a rather large and active creature, the space for its breeding should be large enough in terms of the area it occupies. Novice farmers should equip a paddock and paddock for birds. An aviary for pigs can be converted as a place for birds to live. A pigsty is great for housing ostriches, but you need to make sure that the height of the ceilings is approximately 3 m. These African birds prefer living together in families. As a rule, one male takes care of 4 females at the same time.

If desired, you can fence off the walking area from the "home" territory using a metal mesh with a small mesh. This is necessary so that a naturally curious bird does not have the opportunity to stick its head through the hole.

Popular questions when breeding ostriches

Novice farmers who have decided to acquire a feathered farm for the purpose of breeding birds will be interested to get acquainted with the statistics that make the ostrich business so attractive.

How profitable is the ostrich business?

Ostrich meat is invaluable because it is dietary. The amount of fat in it is extremely small, the cholesterol level is very low, and the protein content, on the contrary, is very high. Such positive meat characteristics allow this type of meat to top the lists of the most popular products. An important point is the rapid weight gain in poultry: in terms of the rate of weight gain, they will give odds to any farm animal. In the list of indisputable advantages, one can also add the fact that ostriches are quite unpretentious in feeding, while up to 40 kg of pure meat comes out from one adult.

The skin of this feathered one is in no way inferior to the skin of a crocodile or a snake in terms of its popularity. It is used in the production of belts, shoes, bags, clothes, and about 1.5 square meters comes out of one mature bird. meters of skin.

Ostrich feathers are also widely used: in the filling of pillows, jewelry and all kinds of accessories, in the lining of down jackets and jackets, etc. With a standard haircut once every 8 months, you can get up to 2 kg of feathers from one adult.

Ostrich eggs are known throughout the world, although they are not very suitable for culinary purposes. But this product is of great value to farmers who want to breed birds. During one season, the female lays up to 50 eggs.

Tips for ostrich farmers

For the purpose of artificial breeding of ostriches, it is necessary to use a double incubator. For the first 39 days, the eggs must be kept in the main incubator. After they are placed for about 1 week in an incubator for broods, which differs in conditions of detention: more low temperature and higher humidity.

Ostriches continue to live in it for about 3 more days after hatching, then they are transferred to a separate room in compliance with strict temperature regime- 25°C. Let on Fresh air the younger generation is possible if the air has warmed up to 18 ° C.

Video - How to keep ostriches at home

Due to the fact that ostriches gain weight very quickly when fed relatively inexpensive feed, and their meat has excellent palatability, breeding birds of this breed is a very profitable investment with a quick return on investment. In addition, in addition to dietary meat, ostriches have excellent plumage, which is widely used in industry. Despite the fact that these African birds come from warm, southern countries, due to their unpretentiousness, they perfectly take root on our continent and give full-fledged offspring.