Jan 11
12
Comparison of Feed Conversion Ratios Across Specie – Useful Info for Those in Ostrich Farming
The greatest cost when rearing production livestock is the cost of feed, this is also true when ostrich farming. That is why it is critical to ensure that feed provides the nutrients required to achieve optimum health, productive performance and product quality. The end products must be suitable for the market serviced. This statement applies to ostrich meat, ostrich skins, ostrich oil and ostrich feathers as well as genetics if supplying ostrich eggs, chicks and/or breeders.
Historically ostrich were first raised for their feathers transitioning to leather at the end of World War II. Farming ostrich today, supplying the meat market has to be the primary market as it offers the most potential for sustainable growth. To supply a meat market successfully it is essential to apply the management principles that have made pig and poultry producers successful. Beef and sheep producers have applied similar principles but adapted them to meet the demands of farming ruminant specie. As monogastric and multi production within a single year, ostrich fit better into the production principles employed by the pig and poultry industries. However the unique requirements of ostrich need understanding to ensure the systems put in place are suitable for ostrich.
The amount of kgs (or lbs) of feed required to produce a particular live weight in kgs (or lbs) is known as the Feed Conversion Ration, or FCR for short.
Broiler free range chickens reach 2.5 kg weight in 49+ days, giving them an FCR of 3.1.
Pigs raised for pork reach 75 kgs in 120+ days, giving pigs an FCR of 2.4.
Ostrich today reach 95 kgs in 365+ days, giving ostriches an FCR of 5.9 .
However if ostrich were to go through the development as the broiler and pig industries, it is expected that ostrich could reach 110 kgs in 280 days, giving an FCR of 3.8 if genetic selection and production principles were to be applied, supported by correct nutrition and management.
Apart from a reduced feed bill, early slaughter achieves a quicker return on working capital, less time taking pen space on the ostrich farm and reduced labor costs.
When discussing FCR it is important to include every kilo of food consumed, including any grazing from grass, lucerne or other forage. Grazing is not free. There is a cost to provide the space and maintenance of that grazing. Forage when conserved as hay or silage locks in the nutrients and enables more accurate control of daily nutrient intake than when animals are grazing. This is because any forage’s nutrient value changes daily when still growing. Time of year, stage of growth and moisture content all influence the daily nutrient intake of that animal when grazing.
As populations increase, there is increasing pressure to preserve and optimize utilization of our resources. For those involved in ostrich farming, optimizing feed conversion and reducing days required to slaughter not only improves their profitability, it also contributes to reducing the impact on our environment.
