Jul 11
1
Pelleted or Ground Feed in Ostrich Farming
When ostrich farming, a question often asked is whether it is better to have the feed pelleted or to feed the mix as meal or ground. There is only one trial I am aware of that tested this correctly and the results were very interesting.
The trial took place in a windy Cheyenne, Wyoming in the mid 1990s. One important factor of this trial is that it was a high wind area. When carrying out any meaningful trial it is essential to eliminate all variables and then you change just one. What variables would be likely to influence such a result? – Genetics – Nutritional History of the parents – Age – Management – Feed Under feed the rations must be identical, with the only difference one is fed ground and the other is fed pelleted. But in every other respect the rations must be identical in nutrient content and ingredients. This is critical to such a study as it is the nutrient profile and ingredients used that are critical to the performance of any rations.
These are the words reporting the parameters of this study:
Quote: “The trial was 2 groups of 12 birds in different pens. Bird groups were evenly matched for age and parentage. Both the Ground feed and the Pelleted feed rations were identical in nutrient content with equal levels and ratios of Protein, Fat, Fiber, Energy, Minerals, Trace Minerals, Vitamins, and Additives.
The ground feed ration was formulated by Daryl Holle of Blue Mountain Feeds using the Blue Mountain Ultimate Ton Mix for Minerals, Trace Minerals, Vitamins and Additives. The rest of the Ground feed formula ingredients (Alfalfa, Corn, and Soya) were purchased by the rancher and ground/mixed by him using a grinder/mixer machine. The pelleted ration was a complete pelleted feed of equal value in all nutrients and feedstuffs made by Blue Mountain Ostrich Feeds and also formulated to the same nutrient specifications by Daryl Holle”. End Quote
The table illustrates the result. The difference in growth rate was around 5%, but both groups had grown well above the industry average at 300 days recording live weights of 131kgs and 124kgs gaining 435 grams and 412grams per day during the 300 days.
The big difference will be in the cost, when pelleting becomes unnecessary. When mixing feed on farm it is essential that the ingredients are mixed correctly and similar particle size to ensure the birds have balanced intake of all nutrients.
This trial illustrates the importance of minimising variables and proves again the ability of ostrich to achieve excellent liveweight in 300 days. These birds were 30% heavier than the South African’s target liveweight in excess of 425 days. This is the future for commercial ostrich farming success.
