Ostriches are considered the largest birds. Their weight can reach 150 kilograms and height – 250 centimeters. Today, birds are not only found in the wild, but are also actively raised in private households or on large farms. The main goal of breeding is to obtain healthy meat that has excellent taste. At the same time, many farmers are interested in: what should you feed an ostrich?
What do ostriches eat?
Birds consume not only plant foods, but also non-large insects. Vegetables, shells, and grains can supplement the menu of these large birds.
In nature
Under natural conditions, these birds live in the African savannah. There is a lot of greenery and foliage growing there. It is these products that form the basis of ostrich nutrition. Birds are able to go without water for a long time. Therefore, they often live in desert places. There they feed on roots, branches, and seeds. In addition to plant foods, birds can eat reptiles, small insects and even rodents.
On the farm
The diet of birds raised on a farm or in a private household largely coincides with the diet of free-ranging ostriches. However, poultry also has some differences. On farms they are given much less space than in the savannah. This leads to a decrease in physical activity. Therefore, the birds’ need for food decreases. The basis of the diet of domestic ostriches is greens, foliage, and grass.
Preparing a diet at home
Feeding ostriches is quite easy. It is important to provide them with a balanced diet that contains a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. A high-quality diet has a beneficial effect on the growth of birds and their reproductive functions.
With intensive breeding method
The basis of the intensive system is the absence of pasture feeding. Ostriches are raised in enclosures. With this type of keeping, birds need a sufficient amount of dried grass and greenery.
An adult requires 3 kilograms of feed per day. It should be mixed with herbs, which are used in chopped form.If the ostrich does not eat all the food, its volume is reduced. The green part of the diet should include spinach, various herbs, and alfalfa. It is also acceptable to give rapeseed to birds.
Outside the breeding season, corn is allowed to be used. Ready-made power plans are considered relatively conventional. When developing a diet, the farmer must focus on the area, the characteristics of the content, age, and weight. The purpose of keeping the bird is also important.
With extensive breeding method
When raising birds using this method, they must be grazed on a grassy area all the time. It is important to build high-quality fencing. Ostriches are allowed to graze with rams, goats or cows. This type of raising birds is considered the most profitable, since they are able to obtain their own food. When there is a lot of rainfall or drought, the birds need to be fed. The need for concentrated feed arises only in winter. Moreover, such food is used in small quantities.
Since ostriches do not expend much energy, they need a maximum of 3 kilograms of food. This is less than what birds that live in nature require. To replenish the protein balance, it is worth using cake, lupine, and legumes. In winter, birds should be given grass meal, vegetables, fruits, silage, and root vegetables. Ostriches also love fresh or dried bread. You can pour shell rock, gravel or pebbles into a separate container.
Semi-intensive content
With this type of feeding, ostriches need to be grazed in warm weather and fed with concentrated mixtures. It is of no small importance to create special conditions for birds in which they can independently obtain their own food.
During the first 2 months, it is worth introducing 1 kilogram of concentrates into the diet. By spring, the amount is increased to 3 kilograms. Any concentrated mixture should be combined with herbs.
How much does a bird eat per day?
The volume of food depends on the energy value of the feed, age, and physical activity of the birds. When compiling a diet, it is necessary to take into account the following ratio: the weight of the feed should be about 3% of the bird’s body weight. On average, young birds are given 0.75 kilograms of food, adults – 2.5 kilograms.
What feeders and drinkers are needed for ostriches
You cannot pour food on the ground. Therefore, you need to build feeders. They can be made from special devices or improvised containers. It is especially convenient to use hanging feeders.
This design can easily be hung on a pole or tree. When positioning it, it is worth taking into account the height of the birds. Feeders for adult birds usually need to be hung at a distance of 1-2 meters from the ground. This option is convenient if there are other animals in the pen. In this case, only ostriches will be able to use feeders located at a height.
You can also make a feeder from a car tire. It holds 3-4 kilograms of feed. To do this, just cut the tire into 2 parts. To keep the product clean longer, you need to make several holes in its bottom. This will help remove water from the feed.
It is not recommended to make feeders from metal objects. They will become covered with a lot of rust, which will harm the ostriches. In addition, sharp edges of metal objects can cause injury.
What should you not give?
Ostriches are considered omnivores. However, there is food that is prohibited to give to birds. Undesirable products include:
- parsley;
- rye;
- potato.
In addition, there are products whose quantity must be limited. These include bran, flour, cabbage. Feeding ostriches has a number of features. When compiling a diet, it is important to take into account the age of the bird and its physical activity. This will help you choose a balanced diet that will saturate the birds’ body with vitamins and microelements.
