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Research
3.
Ostrich management practices in three states of
northern Nigeria -
W. P. Mshelia, P. A. Abdu, A. M. Abdussamad, A. M.
Wakawa, A. I. Malumfashi
Vet World. 2011; 4(2): 64-67
doi:
10.5455/vetworld.2011.64-67
Abstract
The study was conducted to identify management
practices associated with ostrich farming in Kano,
Kaduna and Plateau States of Nigeria. Seven farms
were purposively selected as units of analysis.
Primary data were generated by means of a
pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire,
administered to the sampled respondents. A simple
inductive statistics was applied to the primary
data. The result reveals a commercial production of
ostrich by 86 % with all the farms engaged in
production of other livestock species. Similarly,
all the farms had shelter for chicks and breeders
which were all erected using wire mesh and poles at
above 5 feet fencing level. More over, 100 % of the
farms were densely stocked (below 500 m2 for a pair
of ostrich) with facilities below recommended
levels. The result also showed that 100 % of the
farms compound feed locally using premix without no
providing grit and low (14 %) usage of succulent
feed. About 29 % of the farms use endoparasitic and
anthelminthic drugs as health management practices.
On the reproductive practices, only trio (29 %) and
colony (71 %) configurations were practiced. The
prominent biosecurity measures include division of
farm into disease control unit (100 %) and employee
enlightenment (86 %).
Key words: Farm
Management, Reproduction, Nutrition, Housing
pattern.
