Summary
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of strain, breeder age and the addition of commercially available probiotic Bio-power® on egg production, fertility, hatchability percentages and chick weight at hatching in ostrich (Struthio Camelus).
A total of 48 breeder ostriches were used for two successive breeding seasons (2005 and 2006). 24 of them were of blue neck (16 females and 8 males) and the other 24 were of black neck (16 females and 8 males). The birds in each strain were divided into 4 groups of trios (2 females x 1 male) x 2 replicates and were supplemented with zero (the control group), 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 kg Bio-power®/ton feed for each group, respectively. The results of the present study indicated that: The egg production rate of black neck ostrich was significantly higher (16.39%) than those of blue neck females (13.90%). Older breeders during the second breeding season gave a significantly higher egg production rate (16.35%) than those obtained by younger ones (13.94%). The beginning of the laying season of ostrich under the Egyptian conditions was recorded in February and the end of laying was recorded in September for both breeding seasons. The peak of egg production rate was recorded during May and June for both seasons. The highest egg production rate was recorded in birds supplemented with 0.5 kg Bio-power®/ton feed. The blue neck females ostrich produced significantly heavier eggs (1612.75gm) than those produced by black neck females (1441.12 gm). The breeder age has no significantly effect on the mean egg weight allover the experimental period. Supplementation of different levels of Bio-power® has no significant effect on the average egg weight. Blue neck female ostrich gave a significantly higher fertility, hatchability of total and fertile eggs percentages than those recorded in black neck females. Also Blue neck females produced a significantly heavier chick weight at hatching than those produced by black neck females. There was no significant difference in the fertility % due to the breeder age while the hatchability of total and fertile egg percentages were significantly higher in older breeders than in younger ones. Also there was no significant difference in the chick weight of hatching due to the breeder age. Supplementation of birds with different levels of Bio-power® had no significant effect on fertility % or the chick weight at hatching while lead to significant increase in the hatchability of total and fertile egg percentages than the control group.
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