SEXUAL DIMORPHISM, EGG LAYING AND EGG WEIGHT IN OSTRICHES (STRUTHIO CAMELUS) REARED UNDER INDIAN CONDITIONS
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Date
2013-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Agricultural Research Communication Centre
Abstract
Ostriches are being reared in India from 2000 onwards. The data on reproductive performance
recorded over a period of seven years (2002 – 2008) were analysed. Ostriches revealed sexual
dimorphism at an age of around 270 days and the mean age of sexual maturity observed was 787.8
± 29.9 days. The average annual egg production over seven years of study was 18.6 ± 2.9, 35.1 ±
4.9, 34.4 ± 5.8, 28.7 ± 4.6, 32.5 ± 5.0, 26 ± 5.4 and 25.1 ± 3.4 per female and no significant
variations were observed. The mean egg weight during this period was 1480.02 ± 56.35 g and the
effect of year of production was significant (P < 0.01). The egg weight progressively increased from
1161.1 ± 30.90 g to 1663.23 ± 37.02 g. Egg production was observed during all months of the year
with maximum number of eggs recorded in the month of January 384 (13.3%) followed by 326
(11.3%) in December and the lowest of 163 eggs (5.6%) during May. The total number of eggs
produced during the seven year period was 2886 at the rate of 412 eggs per year at a laying rate of
29.2 ± 4.6 eggs per hen. The result of this study reveals that the reproductive performances of
ostriches are quite comparable and the birds had adapted to the Indian conditions.
Description
TNV_IJAR_2013_47(5)426-430
Keywords
Veterinary Science