The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dietary energy and protein supplements on performance, weekly body sizes or body frame size, and microbiota of ostrich chicks during 2–9 weeks of age. Two metabolic energy levels of 2400 and 2600 kcal/kg live weight and three protein levels of 20, 22, and 24% were used. A total of 36 ostrich chickens (Struthio camelus) of the blue and black African breed were used. Body weight, 12 body measurements (i.e., circumference of the head, neck, breast, abdomen, thigh, body height, length of tail, list the other 5 here) and excretion of microbial population (Escherichia coli, Coliforms bacteria, and Lactobacillus bacteria) were measured. Mean body weight in each week of the experiment was generally the lowest when chicks were offered 2600 kcal/kg dietary energy and 24% protein. Of the 12 body measurements, the breast, abdomen, and thigh circumference and also body length were greater at the lower energy (2400 kcal/kg) and higher protein (24%) levels. Total Aerobic bacteria excretion was generally lower in response to the diet containing the higher level of energy. We conclude that ostrich chickens during 2–9 weeks of age can grow on diets that contain lower energy levels.

To determine the effect of different dietary energy and protein levels on bodyweight and blood chemistry, 36 ostriches at 2 to 9 weeks of age for feeding conditions and 18 for blood chemistry parameters was used. The birds were divided into six treatment groups. Energy and protein levels of diet were 2400 and 2600 kcal/kg and 20%, 22%, and 24%, respectively. The feed intake and bodyweight gain were determined a weekly. Blood chemical parameters including glucose, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino-transferase and alanine amino-transferase activity were determined. The highest weight gain during the whole experiment was observed in ostriches offered 2400 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 20% protein. The lowest level of total cholesterol and protein was observed in treatment V (2600 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 22% protein). The lowest level of glucose and triglycerides was noted after treatment I. The highest albumin and globulin concentrations were in treatment III (2400 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 24% protein) and treatment II (2400 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 22% protein), respectively. The energy level had no effect (P < 0.05) on feed intake and weight gain in all experimental period. The results of this study showed that with increasing energy and protein levels, most blood parameters increased in ostriches but total cholesterol did not.

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