Developing a female-only flock for artificial insemination purposes in ostriches: Progress and future directions.
The development of a flock of females that can produce eggs and maintain egg production rate without the presence of males is a prerogative for a viable artificial insemination protocol in ostriches. Over six consecutive breeding seasons (May-December, 2009-2014), we recorded the egg production performance of 40 single-penned (ART) South African Black ostrich females (2-9 years of age), and compared these records with the egg production of 162 pair-mated females of comparable age from the breeding flock (BP). ART females laid significantly fewer eggs than BP females (mean±SEM: 3.49±0.13 eggs per month vs. 4.64±0.09 eggs per month respectively; P<0.001). Both groups showed a similar pattern of laying, with a peak production in July to September. The mean egg weight of ART females was significantly lower than those of BP females (1367±2.25g vs. 1423±1.1g, respectively; P<0.001). Furthermore, female age significantly affected egg production and egg weight whereby BP females reached a peak egg production at 3 years of age, while in ART females, egg production was the highest at 5 years of age. Interestingly, the number of eggs produced, clutches and eggs per clutch of ART females were independent of visual stimulation from the males. These results indicate that male presence is not needed to ensure egg production. Continuous recruitment of young females based on human-friendly behaviour to breeding by artificial insemination from high egg production performance parents could improve egg production of the ART flock. Studies are also needed to gain a better understanding of underlying physiological mechanisms promoting spontaneous ovulation in this species.
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Electronic address: mbonato@sun.ac.za.
Maud
M
Bonato
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; School of Animal Biology M085, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
Irek A
IA
Malecki
Directorate Animal Sciences: Oudtshoorn, PO Box 351, Oudtshoorn 6620, South Africa.
Zanell
Z
Brand
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Directorate Animal Sciences: Elsenburg, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa.
Schalk W P
SWP
Cloete
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D010058:Oviposition; D012621:Seasons; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
Breeding season; Egg production; Egg weight; Female age; Poultry; Struthio camelus