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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(10)

Direct heterosis for liveweight and chick mortality in ostriches

A. Engelbrecht A B E , S. W. P. Cloete B C and J. B. van Wyk D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute for Animal Production, Oudtshoorn Research Farm, PO Box 351, Oudtshoorn 6620, South Africa.

B Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.

C Institute for Animal Production, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa.

D Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.

E Corresponding author. Email: anele@elsenburg.com

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(10) 1320-1325 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08125
Submitted: 11 April 2008  Accepted: 10 June 2008   Published: 11 September 2008

Abstract

Ostriches from the South African Black (SAB) and Zimbabwean Blue (ZB) strains, raised to slaughter age in Oudtshoorn, South Africa, were used to investigate the possibility of improving the growth and survival of commercial ostriches through crossbreeding. Growth data from purebred and crossbred ostriches were analysed to estimate heterotic effects at different age intervals. Heterosis was significant at 1 month (P = 0.017) and 14 months of age (P = 0.03), and approached significance (P < 0.071) at 7, 8 and 13 months of age. Different growth patterns were observed between the two purebred strains, with weight at 14 months differing significantly (SAB 89.6 ± 0.9 kg v. ZB 98.3 ± 4.5 kg). The weight advantage relative to SAB birds at this stage amounted to 10% for ZB, 11% for ZB × SAB and 13% for SAB × ZB (all P < 0.05). Mortality to 30 days also showed significant heterosis (P < 0.05). ZB birds had the highest mortality rate at 0.38 ± 0.03, followed by the SAB × ZB (0.34 ± 0.03), the SAB (0.27 ± 0.01) and the ZB × SAB (0.23 ± 0.02) strains. Results indicate that crossbreeding may be utilised to improve the growth and chick survival of commercial ostriches. The breed combinations should be assessed for other productivity traits to determine the viability of a structured crossbreeding program.

Additional keywords: Struthio camelus.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank the South African Department of Trade and Industry for partial funding of the project through their THRIP program, as well as all those involved in the maintenance and recording of the research flock at the Oudtshoorn Research Farm. Thanks are also due to Hendrik Pienaar who placed his Zimbabwe ‘blue’ breeder birds at our disposal for this work.


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