Croissance de l'autruche en parc zoologique

Abstract

The ponderal and size growths of 56 hand-reared ostriches, Struthio camelus australis, were studied at Parc zoologique de Paris. During the first year, three growth phases can be observed. The first phase occurs during the first week and is characterized by a physiological decrease in weight which is unavoidable. The second phase occurs from 8 days to 6 months and coincides with the period in which the most important growth in size takes place; it corresponds to one of the critical periods (during the second month) when many deformed legs are seen. During the following 6 months, the third phase, the growth in size is slower than the increase in weight. The growth of ostriches is an interesting indicator of the quality of breeding.