GROWTH-CURVES OF OSTRICHES (STRUTHIO-CAMELUS) FROM OUDTSHOORN IN SOUTH-AFRICA

Growth results of 43 ostrich males and females were used to compile growth parameters of a flock that is representative of Oudtshoorn birds, using the Gompertz model. Growth results comprised 19 recordings of body weight for each individual commencing from 1-day-old to day 520. Individual fits of data to the growth model were exceptionally good, resulting in low CV values of 0.02 and 0.03 for the mean values of all estimates of mature live weight for male and females respectively. The estimated mean mature body weights for the flock were 119.2 kg for males and 122.3 kg for females. Rates of maturing were 9100 and 8500 for males and females respectively which corresponded to ages of 180.83 and 199.2 days at which maximum gain in weight were achieved. None of these parameter estimates differed significantly between sexes. Results in the present study suggested substantial adjustments to growth parameters for Oudtshoorn ostriches published by du Preez, Jarvis, Capatos and de Kock, 1992.