Ostrich breeding pen formation

OSTRICH BREEDING PEN FORMATION

Breeding Pen

  • The sex ratio in ostriches is in range of one male to 1 – 2 females. Regardless of the ratio of males to females, the mating system can influence the level of fertility obtained. Mating systems can be divided into two types depending on the number of males per breeding paddock.
    • Pen mating or single mating system, where there is only one male and
    • Group mating or colony mating system, where there is more than one male in the paddock.

1. Pen Mating/ Single Mating

  • Under single mating system, paired mating (one male + one female) are trio mating (one male + two females) are practiced within one enclosure.
  • Paired mating is useful for maintaining the breeding performance of both male and female partners, whereas, in trio mating the performance of males alone can be maintained.
  • The problem called ‘preferential mating’ may arise from this system, which may lead to impaired fertility. This is due to the tendency of male to mate more often with a particular female in the group, or when the female refuses to squat and mate. If preferential mating had been observed, then the males should be rotated (although this in itself may cause some stress and may interrupt egg laying for some time).

7.24

Fig. 7.24. Pen mating

2. Group Mating or Colony Mating

  • The colony mating system is recommended in order to avoid preferential mating problems.
  • The females will walk between each male territory and hence have a better chance of mating. However, ostrich males are aggressive and define their own territories. They tend to fight out any intruding male.
  • Putting too many males together may lead to extensive fighting and a subsequent reduction in fertility, depending on the size of the breeding paddock, three to four males are about the correct number per unit. The number can, however be increased where paddocks are very larger.

7.25

Fig. 7.25. Group mating
Last modified: Wednesday, 2 May 2012, 9:23 AM