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Effect of Winter Climatic Conditions on the Behaviour of Adult Ostriches (Struthio Camelus) on a British Farm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

D C Deeming
D C Deeming*
Affiliation:
Honorary Research Associate, School of Biological Sciences, c/o 3.329 Stopford Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, Ml 3 9PT, UK
*
Address for correspondence and requests for reprints: 17 Rowland Close, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8LA, UK
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Abstract

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Ostrich welfare on farms of is great importance, particularly because little is known about appropriate husbandry conditions for these birds in a northern European environment. Rain has been shown to influence the pattern of behaviour during the spring months. This study examined the effects of four different climatic conditions (raining, dull but overcast, bright but overcast and sunny) on the behaviour of ostriches during the winter. Compared with dry conditions, there was a significantly higher rate of sitting during rainy periods — apparently at the expense of foraging (from pasture) and pacing (around the perimeter). The rate of sitting was much lower than that reported for the same birds during rain in the spring. During all climatic conditions, feeding (on concentrate feed provided) and foraging were the most dominant behaviours. Feeding was not significantly affected by rain but the frequency of foraging was reduced. Standing was a common behaviour. There were significant gender differences for standing (males > females) and foraging (females > males). These results show that winter conditions require ostriches to feed and forage at higher rates than during the spring or summer, presumably to consume more energy for thermoregulation. Gender differences in pacing and feeding behaviours previously observed in breeding birds were absent in non-breeding ostriches (presumably because males were not defending territories); although non-breeding males appeared to be more vigilant than females and needed to consume more food. Improvements in ostrich husbandry should take into account the need to provide both adequate shelter and more concentrate rations during the cold weather of winter. Energy requirements will be higher at this time, yet the ability of the birds to forage will be diminished. Without such considerations, ostrich welfare during the winter in northern Europe will be compromised.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourfarmingostrichwinter weather
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , August 1998 , pp. 307 - 315
Copyright
© 1998 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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