| Information sheets | | | Elsenburg infopaks | | | Animals, diseases: 10 |
General diseases in ostriches
Afrikaans | Xhosa
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On average and in natural circumstances ostriches lay a nest of 10 eggs that they hatch over a period of 42 days. |
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In artificial circumstances breeding birds are fenced off in pairs and the eggs are removed so that it can be put in an
artificial incubator to hatch.
In such circumstances egg production is increased and a female then lays about 50 eggs per season. It takes 42 days at 36,5°C for eggs to hatch artificially. |
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From the age of one day chickens are taught to eat a balanced ration and they should be kept warm during the first few weeks of their life. |
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In all circumstances, but especially in artificial intensive circumstances, chickens are subject to parasites and diseases. |
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We divide the condition as follows:
External parasites Ticks Different types of ticks transmit various types of diseases, among others Congo fever, which also affects humans. In addition, the long mouth parts of the tick cause extensive damage to the skin when they "tunnel" through the skin. The bont-legged tick is seen as the biggest threat in the ostrich industry. |
Ostriches can be treated for ticks with pyrethroid-containing medication, e.g. Bayticol.
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Lice
Feather lice are seen as the parasites responsible for damage to the flue. Because feather lice eat flue, the money value of especially white plumes, but also that of the bodies (short feathers) decreases as the damage causes the feathers to have a moth-eaten appearance. This of course lowers the utilitarian value of the feathers and, as a result, the income. Treatment with pyrethroid, e.g. Bayticol, is recommended. |
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Internal parasites
Tapeworm Tapeworms are long, flat worms of about 50 to 100 cm in length that live in the small intestine and which deprive the bird of food. One of the side-effects on the live bird is emaciation because not enough nutrients are taken in by the bird, as it is instead absorbed by the worms. Severe infestation can even cause intestinal obstruction. Regular treatment every three months with e.g. Lintex combats the parasite effectively. |
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Wireworm
Wireworms are very small, round red worms of about 3 mm long that live in the stomach wall. This parasite is virtually invisible to the naked eye and causes a lot of damage to the stomach wall that causes sudden death because the parasites suck blood and therefore deprive the animal of life-giving blood, in addition to which they also cause severe inflammation of the stomach. |
Regular treatment with e.g. Panacur is necessary to combat this problem and deaths as a result of it.
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Infectious diseases
Haemorrhagic enteritis This is the most feared disease that can occur in small chickens in the age group 1 to 3 months. This condition is caused by a small germ (bacterium) that leads to inflammation of the intestines, to such an extent that digestion cannot take place. These organisms also secrete a poison that causes rapid death. |
Preventative inoculation with haemorrhagic enteritis vaccine is important to combat the disease.
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Influenza
Green urine (influenza), or avian influenza, is a deadly disease that can affect all bird species. This disease leads to large-scale deaths in especially ostriches younger than six months. Because it is a viral disease, there is no treatment. Characteristic of the disease is green urine. |
Avian influenza is a notifiable disease, in other words it should be reported to the nearest state veterinarian.
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Pox
Avian pox occurs in various bird species and is characterised by warty, brown, swollen nodes round the eyes and especially round the corners of the mouth and beak. The disease can lead to large numbers of birds dying if not stopped in good time. Biting insects, like mosquitoes, transmit pox and the disease is therefore especially prevalent in wet summer seasons. Inoculation with pox vaccine can however control this condition. |
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Newcastle disease
This is the most feared poultry disease and it is responsible for regular epidemics and the death of thousands of chickens. Ostriches, especially young chickens, are extremely prone to this disease. Pigeons and aquatic birds are also vulnerable. Symptoms include loss of balance, giddiness, staggering backwards, swinging sideways and taking a three-legged position with the head on the ground. |
There is no treatment for this disease and it can only be prevented by inoculation against Newcastle every three months with a suitable Newcastle vaccine. All other poultry, ducks and pigeons should also be inoculated regularly.
Because this is such a dreaded disease, which is responsible for thousands of mortalities, it is important to control it through inoculation. Notifying the nearest state veterinarian is also compulsory.
W Burger
ELSENBURG / Little Karoo Co-op
