Ostrich Chicks and Eggs
Ostriches lay the largest eggs
An ostrich reaches breeding maturity at the age of 2-3 years.
Mating occurs in sprints through Autumn.
Egg laying period starts early in spring and continues for about a Month depending on good nourishment and good weather conditions.
Female ostrich after mating starts laying eggs and gives birth every two days since the full development of the egg takes 48 hours.
They lay eggs up to the age of 50 years.
Under natural conditions, a female lays 12-18 eggs.
Under farm conditions, young females produce 10-20 eggs in the first year and from 40-130 eggs annually (Most often 40-60 eggs) in subsequent years.
The Ostrich egg, averaging about 150mm (6 inches) in length by 125mm (5 inches) in diameter and about 1.35kg weight.
Eggs should be collected soon after they are produced to avoid breakage
The eggs should be taken away as soon as possible since if they’re left at the hatching place; they’re exposed to dangers of infection.
After they are picked, they’re given a number and recorded. They’re subsequently washed, disinfected and put in trays in order to dry and the following day, the air chaser is marked.
PRICES
Ostrich Eggs: R200.00
Ostrich Feathers: R150.00
Ostrich Shell: R90.00
Ostrich Chicks 1 Day Old: R250.00
Ostrich Chicks 1 Month Old: R400.00
Ostrich Chicks 2 Month Old: R500.00
Ostrich Chicks 3 Month Old: R550.00
Ostrich Chicks 4 Month Old: R600.00
Ostrich Chicks 5 Month Old: R650.00
Ostrich Chicks 6 Month Old: R700.00
Afterwards the eggs are weighed one by one and given an identification number which makes it possible to monitor the production process from the egg to the final product.
They’re then taken to the incubator where they remain for 39 days.
They revolve 90 degrees 4 to 6 times a day with the air chamber upside down.
The up turning of the eggs prevents the embryo from getting stuck to the membranes of the egg shell in the first stage of incubation.
Hatching begins on the 42nd day.
They usually hatch without help within 12 hours after the cracking of the shell of the first eggs by nestling which begin to twitter.
The nestlings after hatching are left in the incubator for 3 to 4 hours in order to dry and are taken to the breeding place and confined within a circular place.
If the chick is rushed, the navel may not have properly closed. An infected navel frequently leads to a dead chick.
Before a chick leaves the hatcher, the navel should be checked to see that it is properly closed and then should be treated with a 7% iodine solution to guard against infection.
A second treatment two or three days later may be necessary.
After the first week the navel should be checked again.
If a dried umbilical attachment is still present, it should be pulled from the navel and the area treated with iodine a third time.
If not followed, the risk of navel and yolk sac infections may be increased.