MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF OSTRICH (Strithio camelus) IN BHAGWAN BIRSA BIOLOGICAL PARK, RANCHI, JHARKHAND
Ajay Kumar[1] Sunil Kumar Gupta[2]
Abstract: Ostrich, the exotic bird which is the largest flight less bird of avian world is reared in Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ranchi, Jharkhand. It was brought from PGRI on Ostrich, Kattupakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu. The average age of sexual maturity observed here is 3 year. The number of eggs laid in one clutch is found 8 to 11. The average incubation period and hatchability % recorded in Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park is 64 days and 44% respectively.
Introduction:
Ostrich (Strithio camelus), the largest flightless bird are native to more than 25 African country. Adult males range from 2.1 to 2.75 metres (about 9ft) in height, and female Ostriches range from 1.7 to 2.0 metres (ie. 5’7” to 6’7”) tall. Almost half of its height is neck and weigh more than 100 kg (average 115kg) (Davies, 2003). Ostrich’s egg averaging about 150mm (6”) in length, 125mm (5”) in diameter and weigh about 01.35 kg, is also the world’s largest egg. The males are mostly black but has white plumes in the wings and tail where as female and young ones are mostly brown in colour. The head and most of the neck of both the sexes is reddish to bluish in colour. The legs including the powerful thighs are bare (i.e., Featherless). The Ostrich’s eye is the largest of any land animal. The lifespan is upto 40-45 years (Davies and Bertram, 2003).
Distribution and Habitat:
Ostriches are native to the north and south equatorial forest of Africa. Research conducted by Birbal Sahini Institute of Palaeobotany has found molecular evidence that Ostriches lived in India 25000 years ago. DNA tests on fossilized eggshells recovered from eight archeological sites in the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh found 92% genetic similarity between the egg shells and the North African Ostrich. This suggests that Ostriches travelled between India and Africa before the two land masses drifted apart (Anonymous, 2017; Prasad, 2017).
Diet in nature:
They mainly feed on seeds, shrubs, grass, fruit and flowers. Occasionally they also eat insects such as locusts. Like other birds Ostriches lack teeth. They swallow pebbles that act as gastrulates to grind food in gizzard3.
Diet in BBB Park:
Poultry Feed (18% protein) – 2kg/adult bird/day
Chopped Spinach – 1 kg/adult bird/day
Chopped Cabbage – 1kg/adult bird/day
Breeding:
As per different literatures Ostriches mature sexually at the age of 02-04 years. Females mature about six month earlier than males. The female lays fertilized egg (after mating with males) in a single communal nest, a simple pit 12” to 24” deep and 3m (9.8ft) wide scrapped in the ground by male. Incubation of eggs is generally done by dominant female in day time and by males in night. The incubation period is 35 to 45 days1 .
Captive Population and Breeding Behaviour in BBB Park:
In September 2014 the BBB Park, Ranchi has procured 4 (2:2:0) from PGRI on Ostrich at Kattupakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu. One pair was 1 year old & the other pair was of just 2 years old. Unfortunately one male was died due to pseudomonas infection in October 2014. Rest of the other birds 1:2 (3) were cared critically. After one year of rearing the male matured sexually. The featherless part of the lower leg and beak becomes pink/red which is indicative of sexual maturity. The intensity of pink/red coloration of beak and lower leg is due to hormonal changes. The birds were started mating in Oct. 2015. As they started mating, we dig a shallow pit of 8 feet diameter and 1.5 feet deep. The pit was filled with mixture of sand, soil and pebbles. Paddy straws, twigs and dried leaves were made available near by the pit made in the centre of Enclosure. The female used these as a nesting material and laid her first egg in Jan 2016. The female laid total 11 eggs in 2-3 days interval between each laying.
From 28th Jan 2016 the female started the incubation and 1st hatch was noticed on 1st of April 2016. After 63 days of incubation in first hatch 03 chicks come from 08 eggs. Where as in 2nd hatch after 70 days of incubation in the month of December 2016 total 06 (Six) Chicks were hatched out of 11 eggs. In third hatch by the other female there 4 chicks out of 9 eggs, after 61 days of incubation.
Observation and Discussion:
At BBB Park breeding of Ostriches were observed and recorded in the 2016 (Two hatches) and 2018 (one hatch).
1st hatch in April 2016 – 3 chicks
2nd hatch in Dec. 2016 – 6 chicks
3rd hatch in March 2018 – 4 Chicks
A pit of 8 feet diameter and 1.5 feet deep was made in the middle of Enclosure. The size of enclosure is about 6000 sq. meter. The pit was filled with soil & sand mixture fortified with some pebbles. Dry sal leaves, paddy straw & twigs were made available as nesting material. The Ostriches used the ready pit as egg laying and for incubation of eggs.
Breeding details of Ostrich recorded in BBB Park:
| Sl. No. | Number of eggs | Date of hatching | Incubating period | Date of hatch | No. of chicks | Hatching % |
| 1 | 8 | – | 63 | 9.4.2016 | 3 | 37.5 |
| 2 | 11 | – | 67 | 01.12.2016 | 6 | 57.5 |
| 3 | 11 | – | 62 | 23.03.2018 | 4 | 36.3 |
Incubation period was calculated from the date of last egg to the date of hatching. Average incubation period recorded at BBB Park is 64 days.
References:
- Davies, S.J.J.F (2003): Birds, Tinamous and Ratites to Hoatzins. In Hutchins, Michael.
Grzimak’s Animal life Encyclopedia 8 (2nd Edition.) pp_______
- Davies, S.J.J.F.; Bertram, B.C.R (2003): “Ostrich in perrins Christopher Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Buffalo, NY Firefly Books Ltd. pp. 34-37.
- Prasad, R. (2017): “Ostriches lived in India once” The Hindu, Retrieved 10.03.2017
- Anonymous (2017) Ostriches lived in India 25000 years ago. BSIP study, the fimes of India. Retrieved 10.03.2017
Fig 1. Male and Female Ostrich.
Fig 2. Adult Ostrich with chicks
[1] Veterinary Officer, Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi, Jharkhand – 835219.
Email : ajayzoovet@gmail.com
[2] Chief Conservator of Forests & Director, Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi, Jharkhand
