HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rizzi, R. Articles by Cerutti, F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Rizzi, R. Articles by Cerutti, F.

Variability of Ostrich Egg Production on a Farm in Northern Italy

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Via Celoria, 10- Milano, Italy

Correspondence: R. Rizzi, E-mail: rita.rizzi{at}unimi.it

In Italy, ostrich breeding is a growing business, due to consumer demands for alternative meat, but little information is available on egg production. The purpose of this study was to describe productive and reproductive performance on an ostrich farm in northern Italy and to identify factors influencing egg and chick weight. Eggs were collected from five trios (one male per two females), incubated, and candled at 13, 26, and 38 d. Egg weight was recorded at collection, at set, and at each candling. Chicks were weighed at hatch. Fertility was 69.7%, whereas hatchability of egg set and of fertile eggs were 51.5 and 73.9%, respectively. Egg weight was 1,558 and 1,530 g at collection and at set, respectively, and the mean egg weight loss (14.2%) from set to 38 d was in the normal range for ostriches. There was a positive association between egg weight at collection and both egg weight during incubation and chick weight. Egg weight at set and at first candling decreased as storage time increased (-3.5 and -2.9 g/d, respectively). Eggs laid in March were heavier and had the greatest weight losses. Results show that the main source of variability for egg weight as well as fertility and hatchability was the trio rather than environmental conditions.

Key Words: ostriches • egg hatchability • fertility • egg weight