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STUDY OF OSTRICH DISEASES AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN
THE OSTRICH FARM OF NEPAL
Adhikari B.P1 and K. Kedar2
1
B.V.Sc. & A. H., IAAS, Rampur campus, Chitwan, Nepal
2
Veterinary Officer, M.V.Sc., Ostrich Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Rupandehi
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study epidemiology of ostrich diseases and its management in Nepal.
Study Design: Prospective study
Results: Epidemiological study of ostrich diseases was taken at the ostrich farm of Nepal
situated at gongolia1 Rupandehi from 20720801(2015 november17) to
20721101(2016february 13) in the winter season to determine the pattern, frequency,
distribution and determinants of ostrich diseases in Nepal. Out of total Population of gongolia i.e
2300,Morbidity 11.3%(260) and mortality 7.8%(179).Sick birds below 3 month were
8.6%,between 3month to 6month 1.09%,between 6month to 2 year 0.65% and above 2 year
0.96% where as mortality were 6.26%,0.83%,0.35%,0.35% respectively. Out of 900 chicks
below 3 month,morbidity22% mortality 16% and the cases seen in those chicks were
Omphalitis4%, impaction1.33%,hardware disease1.44%,rectal
prolapsed2.7%,lameness4.22%,suspected mycotoxicosis 0.78%,eye problem 0.89%,huddling
2.1%,Transportation stress 2.1%,suspected necrotic enteritis 1.11%. Total number of juvenile
between 3month to 6month were 205 in which morbidity 12% and mortality 8.29% and total no
of ostrich between 6m–2years were 743 on which during 3 months of the field study it was
found that the morbidity 2% and mortality 1.07% and out of 452 parents morbidity
4.87%,mortality 1.77%.
Conclusion: Chicks below three months were highly susceptible to disease. In Nepal chicks
mortality was 16% which was less in comparision to worldwide report. Once ostrich are
infected it exposed to death in most cases. Proper farm management and adequate feeding of
younger ostrich chicks should be done to check mortality. Ostrich mortality in Nepal is mainly
due to general managemental defect.
Key words: epidemiological, ostrich diseases, mortality, Rupandehi
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background information
There are over 22,000 subspecies and 9300 species of birds classified in 166 families, 27 orders
in the class Aves. Order Passeriformes contains the largest number with 5243 species of birds,
and the Order Struthioniformes contains only one species (ostrich). The number of species in
each order, along with representative species, is listed in the following table.
Struthioniformes Ostrich 1
Rheiformes Rheas 2
Casuariiformes Emus,cassowary 4
Ostrich are leftover of the dinosaur age and are the only surviving two legged species from that
era. Current scientific knowledge of diseases of ratite birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) is
incomplete, fragmented and in most cases superficial or limited to anecdotal reports. The
domestic ostrich (Struthio camelus domesticus) is the result of more than 100 years of selective
breeding in the arid regions of South Africa for improved reproductive traits (eggs produced per
breeding season), feather quality and improved docility, and is the most prominent member of
this family in terms of international trade (live ostriches, fertile eggs and ostrich meat, leather
and feathers). However, since the 1980s, significant ostrich industries based on indigenous,
unselected birds have developed utilising several subspecies in other countries of Africa, namely:
Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe (different phenotypes of S. c. australis) and Kenya and
Tanzania (S. c. massaicus and S. c. molybdophaenes).
The commercial ostrich farms is largely dependent on improved health and efficient production
techniques.They are characterized by beautiful feather and absence of the keel of the sternum.
Ostrich (Struthio camelus), a member of the ratitae family, is the largest rustic flightless bird of
the world. Highly resistant to diseases that are prevalent in other birds and it is looked as 'cash
cow' in South Africa and most potential red meat producing industry in USA.
Ostrich Nepal Pvt. Ltd, Gongolia1, Rupandehi, is the first ostrich breeding farm in Nepal
established in 2010AD rearing around 1000 ostriches in semiintensive practices along with
about 200emus.Now there are 2300 ostrich and it spread its branch in other two areas ,altogether
rearing about 3400 ostrich and 3000 emus.It has started hatching of both ostrich and emus.
1.2 Rational of study
Thus it is very important to know the pattern,distribution and determinants of disease and its
management earlier to check the mortality.
1.3 Scope and Limitation
1.3.1 Scope
The study is motivated by the future scope of ostrich farming in Nepal.For more effective and
productive commercial ostrich farming in Nepal.With the help of this clinical study of diseases,
ostrich can be managed more accurately in the environment of Nepal .It is important to know the
pattern, distribution and determinants of disease and its management earlier to check the
mortality.
1.3.2 Limitations
Confirmatory diagnosis can not be done for some suspected disease.Lack of previous studies
about prevalence of disease and its management reference information of ostriches of Nepal.
Sexwise descriptive analysis could not be done due to difficulty in sex determination of ostrich
chicks.
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 General Objective
• To identify the epidemiology of ostrich diseases and its management in Nepal.
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
• To identify the diseases found in ostriches
• To know the age specific disease of ostrich.
• To know the management of diseases prevalent in ostrich.
2. Review of literature
High mortality of ostrich chicks particularly during the first few months of life is well
documented around the world (Adams and Revell, 1998; Lopes et al., 2005; Iji per.comm.;More,
1996; Peters et al., 2005). In South Africa, chick mortality is reported to be 50% up to 3 months
of age (Smith et al., 1995). Two main factors affect the production of ratites; one is poor
hatchability and the other is low chick survival rate (Navarro et al. 1998; Navarro and Martella
2002). The major causes of ostrich chick mortality up to 3 months of age are the paresis
syndrome and limb deformities (Ashash et al. 1996).In Australia, More (1996) reported that
average mortality for chicks at 4 months was 37%. In Israel, mortality rates range from 1550%.
In Europe, mortality up to 4 weeks of age is still over 50% (Adams and Revell, 1998). The
reason for this may be because of inadequate knowledge of the feeding and management of
younger ostrich chicks. Ayo and Minka (1994 cited by Peters et al., 2005) reported factors which
caused the death of chicks in a Nigerian ostrich farm were lower limb deformities which affected
36.7% of the chicks hatched. Inappropriate feeding due to lack of knowledge of chick nutrition
and digestive physiology resulted in death of chicks due to solid masses such as lucerne hay and
maize found in the proventriculus and gizzard (Sato et al., 1994). Shorter villi at the duodenum
was found in ostrich digestive tract from day 3 to 72 days of age. This may indicate that the total
activity of membranebound enzymes is low at these ages. Iji et al. (2001) reported that the total
activity of those enzymes in broiler chickens increases with age as the villi grow longer.
However, trypsin was not detected in the newly hatched ostrich but the enzyme was active from
27 days of age. The activity of amylase was also low and relatively unchanged from hatch to 72
days of age (Iji et al., 2003). In ostriches, enzyme and acid secretion is restricted to an area of
only 25% of the total inner surface area of the proventriculus. This is in contrast to other birds in
which the entire surface of the proventriculus secretes digestive enzymes(Cooper and Mahroze,
2004). This may indicate that the enzyme activities are low for ostriches, particularly at young
ages and may be a factor contributing to chick mortality.
3. Materials and methods
⬜ Regular field visit to find out the epidemiology of ostrich disease and its management. .
⬜ Regular Inspection of the slaughter house,feed production sites and its
composition,hatchery,brooder,chick sheds,parent shed,eggs and meat storage site.
⬜ Post mortem examination, fecal examination and Blood examination of the ostrich is
done for effective diagnosis.
⬜ Fecal examination was done with Sedimentation and Floatation technique in the lab of
Ostrich Nepal pvt.ltd.
⬜ Blood Examination was done in the lab of lumbini Zonal Hospital,Butwal.Blood sample
was collected from the Jugular vein of prolapsed chicks and kept in the EDTA and Non
EDTA tube. Serum was collected from the Non EDTA tube and analysed in the Zonal
Lab.
4. Result and discussion
4.1 Result
There are altogether 2300 ostrich population in Gongolia.I have divided them on the 4 category
on the basis of farm layout and diseases susceptible to different age group.Out of which 900
were of less than 3 month,205 were of 3month to six month,743 were between 6month to 2
years and 452 were parents.
Maximum ostrich chicks are found dead due to omphalitis, leg problems, impaction, rectal
prolapse, hardware disease, enteritis, stress and suspected mycotoxicosis. Blood examination was
done of rectal prolapsed birds and found that calcium phosphorus was severe low. Surgical
treatment was done for prolapsed bird and the whole other chicks are prevented by adding
calcium diet in the feed and water. Similarly surgical procedure was followed for the slippage of
the tibiotarsal joint and tear of the skin. Chock case was surgically recovered by giving incision
in the oesophagus.
Epidemiological study of ostrich diseases was taken at the ostrich farm of Nepal situated at
gongolia1 Rupandehi from 20720801(2015 nov 17) to 20721101(2016feb 13) in the winter
season to determine the pattern, frequency, distribution and determinants of ostrich diseases in
Nepal. Out of total Population of gongolia i.e 2300,Morbidity 11.3%(260) and mortality
7.8%(179).Sick birds below 3 month were 8.6%,between 3month to 6month 1.09%,between
6month to 2 year 0.65% and above 2 year 0.96% where as mortality were
6.26%,0.83%,0.35%,0.35% respectively.
Out of 900 chicks below 3 month,morbidity22% mortality 16% and the cases seen in those
chicks were Omphalitis4%, impaction1.33%,hardware disease1.44%,rectal
prolapsed2.7%,lameness4.22%,suspected mycotoxicosis 0.78%,eye problem 0.89%,huddling
2.1%,Transportation stress 2.1%,suspected necrotic enteritis 1.11%. Total number of juvenile
between 3month to 6month were 205 in which morbidity 12% and mortality 8.29% and total no
of ostrich between 6m–2years were 743 on which during 3 months of the field study it was
found that the morbidity 2% and mortality 1.07% and out of 452 parents morbidity
4.87%,mortality 1.77%.
Blood Examination of Rectal prolapsed ostrich chicks
Data analysis
⬜ Data was analysed by using Microsoft Excel2010 , open epi tool and SPSS version16.0
⬜ The significance difference in Recovered and Mortality among different age groups was
tested by using chisquare test at significance level p=0.05
Mortality is highly significant to age group, In POST HOC analysis ,supper script having
different letter is significant at 95%confidence level.
Age wise morbidity and mortalityout of 2300 population:
Age wise morbidity and mortalityout of its own age group population:
AgeWise Comparision occurring with particular disease ,Out of Total population.
4.2 DISCUSSION
High mortality of ostrich chicks particularly during the first three months of life is well
documented around the world (Adams and Revell, 1998; Lopes et al., 2005; Iji per.comm.;More,
1996; Peters et al., 2005). In South Africa, chick mortality is reported to be 50% up to 3 months
of age (Smith et al., 1995).In gongolia,Rupandehi only 16%chick mortality were observed which
is very less in comparision to other report around the world.Two main factors affect the
production of ratites; one is poor hatchability and the other is low chick survival rate (Navarro et
al. 1998; Navarro and Martella 2002). The major causes of ostrich chick mortality up to 3
months of age are the paresis syndrome and limb deformities (Ashash et al. 1996).In Australia,
More (1996) reported that average mortality for chicks at 4 months was 37%. In Israel, mortality
rates range from 1550%. In Europe, mortality up to 4 weeks of age is still over 50% (Adams and
Revell, 1998).The reason for this may be because of inadequate knowledge of the feeding and
management of younger ostrich chicks. Ayo and Minka (1994 cited by Peters et al., 2005)
reported factors which caused the death of chicks in a Nigerian ostrich farm were lower limb
deformities which affected 36.7% of the chicks hatched.Inappropriate feeding due to lack of
knowledge of chick nutrition and digestive physiology resulted in death of chicks due to solid
masses such as lucerne hay and maize found in the proventriculus and gizzard (Sato et al., 1994).
CONCLUSION
The overall occurrence of various disorders were digestive disorders, orthopedic, Respiratory,
Integumentory disorders. The digestive disorders are impaction, Hardware disease, Cloacal
prolapse, susp. Enteritis.The orthopedic disorders were Rolled toes, Rotational deformities of
leg, Slipped tendons.The respiratory disorders were pneumonia, suffocation, ammonia toxicity.
The integumentary disorders were Feather pecking, Pantothenic acid deficiency.
Mortality of chicks are very high in comparision to other age groups, After 3 month age
mortality sharply decline and remain almost constant and slightly decrease as the age increases.
In parents the morbidity tends to increase which increases susceptible to diseases. The
Mortality of chicks below 3 month is 16% in Nepal,It may elevate in absence of proper
management and adequate feed supplement.
With the increase of ostrich farming around the world, more information is needed on methods to
reduce ostrich chick mortality. This report provides information on a few aspects including
epidemiology of ostrich disease and its management in Nepal which helps to reduce the early
chick mortality.
RECOMMENDATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I Pay due regards to Dean office Mr .C.P Sharma Ostrich Nepal M.D. Providing avenue
for my research . Not last but least my gratitude goes to Mr.Bhupendra Shahi an OJT Trainee
from Dang Technical School Lalmatiya and also to Mr Daya Nidhi Gautam for providing
important information about ostrich production. Same way I like to pay my gratitude to my site
adviser and all workers involved in ostrich production in Ostrich Nepal Pvt.Ltd Gongoliya1
Rupandehi
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APPENDICES
Appendix I:Research photographs
Photographs of ostrich diseases and disorders:
Fungal growth in chick shed Mycotoxicosis in Ostrich chick