Productivity of Lesser Rheas (Pterocnemia pennata) at farms in patagonia.

NAVARRO, NL; MARTELLA, MB.; LABAQUE, MC; BELLIS, L

Oudtshoorn (Sudáfrica)

Congreso; Second International Scientific Congress (Ratites in a competitive world).; 1998

Although Lesser Rheas (Pterocnemia pennata) are being farmed in the argentine Patagonia from several years ago, the information about their productivity is scarce. During the breeding season (September to December) of 1997/98, four commercial farms at the north of Patagonia (Argentina) were monitored weekly. We recorded number of eggs laid, fertility, embryo development (by candling), number of eggs hatched and chick survival. The average number of eggs laid per female ranged from 7 to 53. The egg fertility differed among farms (X² = 13.91; P = 0.003); these differences are related to the management, sex ratio, age and nutrition of the breeding stocks. The proportion of eggs discarded (contaminated with bacterial or fungal organisms, infertile, malpositioned chick, etc.) was comparatively high in some farms. This was related to the lower quality of facilities and to less efficient incubation techniques. The hatching success (Number of eggs hatched/Number of eggs laid), 65%, on average, is within the range of other ratites in farms. The survival rate of chicks at late December was significantly different among farms (X² = 20.59; P < 0.001). This was related to the combined effect of better climate and chick management at this site. Productivity of Lesser Rhea’s commercial farms seems to be reasonable in comparison with other ratite farms. However, some farms showed to be more efficient in some particular aspects of production than in the complete cycle. Training and specialization of farms could contribute to improve their productivity.