Estimates of genetic parameters for reproductive traits, live weight and body measurements were obtained using data from a pair-mated ostrich flock at Oudtshoorn in South Africa. Reproductive traits included total egg and chick production, along with hatchability percentage. Live weight, chest circumference and tail circumferences were recorded at the commencement and cessation of breeding. Heritability estimates (h(2)) were 0.23 for egg production, 0.20 for chick production, 0.10 for hatchability, 0.20 to 0.34 for live weight, 0.12 for chest circumference and 0.30 to 0.38 for tail circumference. Female permanent environmental effects (c(2)) amounted to 0.18 for egg production, 0.18 for chick production, 0.21 for hatchability, 0.32 to 0.36 for live weight and 0.23 to 0.32 for chest circumference. Service sire exerted significant effects only on hatchability (0.22) and subsequently chick production (0.09). Genetic correlations of reproductive traits with live weight were low to moderate, variable in sign, and did not differ significantly from zero. Correlations between live weight recorded at the beginning and end of the breeding season were unity for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Egg and chick production were highly correlated genetically and phenotypically, with the genetic correlation exceeding the theoretical limit. In unconstrained analyses, hatchability was positively related to chick production, including at the service sire level. Selection gains in the current flock and future generations are likely. No significant adverse relationships were found between live weight, body measurements and reproductive traits.
Feed with Ammonium-iron-hexa-cyanoferrate (AFCF; 1250 mg AFCF/kg) was fed between March 2009 and March 2011 to wild boars in a territory of 4.5 km(2) (experimental group, EXP). One hundred and forty similar territories in the same county (500 km(2) , spruce forest, agriculture) served as control (CON). Data for comparison from all territories were available from March 2005 to March 2011. Wild boars could move between, into and from the territories. Lean skeletal muscle meat (500 g) of all wild boars that were killed by humans (hunting and traffic accidents) was investigated for gamma-radiation from (137) Cs with a becquerel monitor with a sodium iodide scintillator crystal (range of detection 20-9999 Bq/kg). The wild boars were weighed, and gender and age were determined. For the analyses of effects, multivariable regression models were fitted with the (137) Cs concentration as response variable. There was a significant difference between the (137) Cs contamination of wild boars from CON (563 ± 932 Bq/kg meat, n = 1253) and EXP (236 ± 276 Bq/kg meat; n = 45). (137) Cs contamination decreased with increasing body weight by -5 Bq/kg meat/kg body weight increase (p < 0.05). Females had higher Bq measurements than males (by +80 Bq/kg meat, p < 0.05). Piglets were lower than adults, but turn-coats higher. From November to May, contamination was higher (by +500 to +600 Bq/kg meat, p < 0.05) than during the rest of the year. In 2010, contamination was higher (by +200 to + 300 Bq/kg meat, p < 0.05) in comparison with the other years under observation. When all covariates were controlled for, the effect of AFCF was highly significant. Interaction analyses showed that the intervention decreased (137) Cs contamination by -500 Bq/kg meat during November to May and by -200 Bq/kg meat during the rest of the year. In summary, AFCF feeding reduces (137) Cs contamination of wild boars living in the wild significantly, particularly during the season from November to May.
The study provides information on the reproductive performance of ostriches maintained at different stocking rates and male:female (M:F) ratios under intensive commercial conditions in the Little Karoo, South Africa. Breeding ostriches are concentrated on relatively small areas and through trampling have a most significant impact on the vegetation in the Little Karoo. Reproductive performance, as influenced by stocking rate and M:F ratio, was investigated. Stocking rates for the large flocks ranged from 114 to 210 birds/ha, and stocking rates for smaller flocks ranged between 9 to 13 birds in 0.13 ha and 0.30 ha camps, respectively. The different M:F ratios investigated, were 1M:1F (pairs), 1M:2F (trios) and 1M:3F (quads), for breeding systems maintained in 0.06 ha camps. In almost all breeding systems total and average egg production, fertility and hatchability were compromised when stocking rate was increased. High stocking rates were detrimental to the reproductive performance and reproductive behaviour of the flocks. Increasing the number of females per male had no negative influence on the reproduction traits, with a significantly higher production observed for breeding quads. Our findings indicated that ostrich breeding flocks can be maintained at stocking rates higher than those presently used on commercial ostrich farms. Breeding pairs, trios and quads can also be maintained on smaller areas, with acceptable production levels. Increasing stocking densities will have a possible inhibitory effect on the establishment of territories and use of space, thereby impacting on the reproductive behaviour of ostrich females and males in large flocks, respectively. This has important implications in terms of the intensification of ostrich farming especially in areas that are characterised by vegetation that is exposed to the trampling effect of ostriches.
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