Microclimate of ostrich nests: measurements of egg temperature and nest humidity using egg hygrometers

Swart, D.; Rahn, Hermann

doi:10.1007/bf00691017

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…Air cell volumes for hatched eggs for the low WL group were 14% -16% for days 34 and 36 of incubation, respectively, and did not differ from those reported for the average WL group (15.5% -17%; P >0.05). These results were consistent with findings published by Swart & Rahn (1988), Blood et al (1998) and Brand et al (2008a;b), where a water loss of ~13% in ostrich eggs up to 35 days of incubation was reported.…”

Section: Figuresupporting

confidence: 93%

Changes in the air cell volume of artificially incubated ostrich eggs

Brand¹,

Cloete²,

Malecki³

et al. 2013

SA J. An. Sci.

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________________________________________________________________________________ AbstractA total of 2160 images of candled, incubated ostrich eggs were digitized to determine the percentage of egg volume occupied by the air cell at different stages of incubation. The air cell on average occupied 2.5% of the volume of fresh eggs. For eggs that hatched successfully, this volume increased to an average of 24.4% at 41 days of incubation, just prior to hatching. Air cell volume at 29 days of incubation for infertile eggs (19.3%) was significantly higher when compared to dead-in-shell (DIS) eggs (14.3%) and eggs that hatched (13.8%). There was a significantly larger air cell volume in eggs that hatched normally compared with DIS eggs at 41 days of incubation (28.3% vs. 21.7%, respectively). No differences in air cell volume were observed up to day 17 of incubation for eggs that hatched normally between eggs that exhibited high, average or low rates of water loss, but from 20 days of incubation the air cell volume was significantly larger for high weight loss eggs. However, for the DIS eggs, air cell volume was consistently larger in eggs that exhibited high rates of water loss. Air cell volume was largely independent of adult strain (SA Black or Zimbabwean Blue) or whether chicks were assisted to hatch. Although some subtle differences in air cell size were detected between hatched and DIS chicks during this study, it is unlikely to find useful application in the broader industry.________________________________________________________________________________

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Section: Figuresupporting

confidence: 93%

Changes in the air cell volume of artificially incubated ostrich eggs

Brand¹,

Cloete²,

Malecki³

et al. 2013

SA J. An. Sci.

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“…Thus the ostrich is not afraid of the heat and does not selectively avoid it. During incubation, the temperature of eggs and the nest as well as the humidity relating to the level of the nest are maintained at constant levels in the nests under shelter or exposed to the sun (Swart and Rahn 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wild ostrich (Struthio camelus australis) reproduction in Orbata, a nature reserve in Tunisia

Sebei¹,

Bergaoui

Hamouda

et al. 2009

Trop Anim Health Prod

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The aim of the current investigation was to determine wild ostrich reproductive behaviour in Orbata Nature Reserve by observing 16 hens and 28 cocks over a seven-year period. Intense laying commenced in January, one month after the cessation of the rainy season, and 92% of the eggs were produced during the dry season (January to May, peaking in March). Over the seven years, 1,322 eggs were laid in 69 nests, which corresponded to an annual average production of 19.2 +/- 9.1 eggs/nest and 11.8 eggs/hen. 24 nests (34.78%) were non-brooded, 17 nests (24.64%) were deserted in the course of incubation, and 28 nests (40.58%) possessed hatched eggs. All the non-incubated nests had egg losses equivalent to 46.6 +/- 12.6%. Hatchability success of incubated eggs was 41.9 +/- 12.0%. Ostriches tended to dig their nests adjacent to the reserve enclosure which had direct access by road and track, the latter subjecting them to human disturbance and predation. The systematic obstruction of these nests stimulated ostriches to build additional nests within the reserve perimeter. The authors discussed the results recorded in an ostrich flock in relation to the environmental factors (climatic factors, food disponibility and predation) and suggested possibilities for improved wildlife management.

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“…During natural incubation, the temperature of the egg varies from 2-6°C between the part closest to brood patches and that in contact with the ground (Swart and Rahn 1988). This explained the importance of turning and the displacement of eggs in the nest.…”

Section: Sexual Maturity Egg Laying and Natural Incubationmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The investigations of Bertram and Burger (1981) and Swart and Rahn (1988) demonstrated that the temperature of the nest is remarkably constant (31-36°C) in spite of important fluctuations in the ambient temperature. In addition, the parameters of the incubated eggs evolved in a similar way in the nest under shelter or exposed to the sun.…”

Section: Sexual Maturity Egg Laying and Natural Incubationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This explained the importance of turning and the displacement of eggs in the nest. In fertile eggs, during the last half of incubation, the embryonic metabolism produces sufficient heat, so that egg temperature rises from 34.5 to 37.1°C at the end of the incubation period; infertile eggs remain at 35.0°C (Swart and Rahn 1988). Bertram and Burger (1981) reported that ostriches recognize their own eggs and discard others.…”

Section: Sexual Maturity Egg Laying and Natural Incubationmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Wild ostrich (Struthio camelus) ecology and physiology

Cooper

Horbańczuk

Villegas-Vizcaíno

et al. 2009

Trop Anim Health Prod

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This work discusses some of the important considerations of wild ostrich evolution, behaviour and ecology, as items included in ostrich production. In the process considerable research was conducted by collating information from peer-reviewed papers; textbooks; manuals; and PubMed and Agricola searches. Selected areas reviewed included activity of ostriches; feeding and water needs; sexual maturity; egg laying and natural incubation; selected physiological parameters; and predation. There is an immediate and urgent need to conserve and protect the rapidly declining populations of wild ostriches with the committed involvement of governments and funding bodies.

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Microclimate of ostrich nests: measurements of egg temperature and nest humidity using egg hygrometers

Cited by 26 publications

References 14 publications

Changes in the air cell volume of artificially incubated ostrich eggs

Changes in the air cell volume of artificially incubated ostrich eggs

Wild ostrich (Struthio camelus australis) reproduction in Orbata, a nature reserve in Tunisia

Wild ostrich (Struthio camelus) ecology and physiology

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