The effect of dietary energy and protein (amino acid) concentration on the performance of slaughter ostriches

Author: T.S. Brand, R.M. Gous, A.C.M. Kruger, B.B. Aucamp, C.J. Nel and J.O. Horbanczuk
Year: 2004
Issue: 6
Volume: 34
Page: 104 - 106

A study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary energy and protein concentrations in a 3 x 5 factorial experimental design on the performance of growing and finishing ostriches. Energy concentrations amounted to 8.5, 10.5 and 12.5 MJ ME/kg feed during the grower phase and 7.5, 9.5 and 11.5 MJ ME/kg feed during the finisher phase. Protein concentrations were respectively 115, 135, 155, 175 and 195 g CP/kg feed during the grower phase and 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 g CP/kg feed during the finisher phase. Lysine concentrations were respectively 5.8, 6.8, 7.8, 8.8 and 9.8, as well as 3.3, 4.1, 5.0, 5.8 and 6.6 g lysine/kg feed. The experiment was performed with 30 groups of ostriches of seven birds per group. Data were collected for both the grower (ca. 40 – 65 kg) and finisher (ca. 65 – 95 kg) phases. Feed intake increased with a reduction in dietary energy concentrations during both the grower and finisher phases. During the finisher phase, feed intake decreased linearly with an increase in protein concentrations. Feed conversion ratio deteriorated as both dietary energy and protein concentrations decreased.

Keywords: : Growth, feed conversion, nutrition, Production, voluntary intake
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