Feb 11
13
The Role of Nutrition in Ostrich Farming Establishing the “Productive Value of Ostrich Rations”
Nutrition is a key component of all livestock farming and ostrich farming is no exception to this rule. It influences the health of the animals or birds being farmed. It influences the production of those livestock. It influences the quality of the marketable products.
Nutrition has the greatest control over the potential profitability of the farming enterprise but only if all the other elements of the value/production chain are in place. So how does one establish the productive value of ostrich rations?
The ability to achieve optimum production is dependent on the production design of rations fed and management standards. When developing budget production costs and revenue, it is essential to know the production potential of the rations used as these have a very significant impact on farm output and overall profitability. The following is a simplistic definition to determine the productive value of your rations:
High Production Potential
Rations with High Nutrient Density utilising quality ingredients combined with high levels of vitamins, minerals and other additives from natural sources. These rations support the full genetic production potential.
Medium Production Potential
Rations with Medium Nutrient Density utilising quality ingredients combined with medium to low levels of vitamins and minerals.
Low Production Potential
Rations with Low Nutrient Density utilising low-grade ingredients combined with low levels of vitamins and minerals. A nutritional program that includes Grazing, Feeding Silage, Green Feed or vegetables of any type will fall into this category.
So what do we mean by “Nutrient Density”? Everything an animal consumes carries a number of nutrients – some ingredients more than others. Everything consumed during the day contributes to the overall balance of their rations and therefore the overall production potential. The less each individual ingredient provides the greater the need for more ingredients to make up those deficiencies, but animals also have an upper limit in their ability to take food. So the trick it is get the least amount of food that provides the required amount of nutrients at the required levels and proportions.
The table illustrates different forage ingredients that can be used in rations and their various nutrient contents. It is clear to see that for every kilo of the 18% lucerne included in the ration just how many more nutrients are included when compared to the other ingredients. Also note the variations in the ratios of the calcium and phosphorous. Quality forage ingredients carry good levels of other minerals and vitamins that are not available in ingredients such as wheat straw.
Rations providing high production potential will provide the required nutrients from the best ingredient sources available, in the best ratios at optimum intake levels. Understanding this and putting in place procedures to achieve this, is the first essential for successful ostrich farming.
