The influence of diet composition on egg and chick traits in Greater Rhea females under captivity

LABAQUE M. C.,; MARTELLA M.B.; MAESTRI, DM; NAVARRO J.L.

BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013

0007-1668

1.      A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of diet composition onthe number and physical and chemical characteristics of eggs, and weight and survival of chicks throughout a breeding season in a captive-bred population of Greater rheas (Rhea americana). 2.      From August to December, individuals were offered two diets: processed feed for rheas and processed feed for chicken (which is the feed most commonly offered to farmed rheas in Argentina). Reproductive performance of 15 females was monitored; female body weight was recorded before egg-laying onset. Within each experimental group, the following variables were determined: egg morphometric variables, percentage of components, and fatty acid composition; hatching success and initial weight of chicks; and survivorship during their first week of life.  3.      Females that were fed on processed feed for rheas delayed laying onset and reduced laying period and number of eggs produced. However, females of this group laid larger eggs, with higher percentages of yolk and yolk lipids, and exhibited higher hatching success and chick weight compared with those that received chicken diet. Survivorship of chicks in their first week of life was not affected by composition of the diet offered to parental female. 4.      Some reproductive parameters of captive Greater rhea females fed on processed feed for rheas were higher than those of individuals receiving processed feed for chicken.