Effect of the day period on the behavior of adult breeding ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of period of the day on the behavior of adult breeding ostriches (Struthio camelus) in a farming environment. A twenty-one mature African black neck breed ostriches (7 males and14 females) were used .The birds were divided into 7 groups(1male:2 females)per group. The observations were carried out at three different periods; morning (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m), at noon (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m) and at afternoon (4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m). Feeding, drinking, walking, running, thermoregulation, body care and aggressive behaviors were recorded following through number of individuals observed to be in the act of pattern at 30seconds interval during the observation session (5 minutes). The order of observation was randomized for each group .By this system of rotation with in the periods of days we have a sheet of three daily periods as reprehensive to the week. When the periods noon/afternoon were compared, there was significant differences in walking, running, drinking water, eating ration, litophagia, dancing, sand bathing. It was observed that the behavior of ostriches differ according to day period.