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Identifying, Microchip-ing & Sexing your Ostrich Chicks
Identification There are numerous options available to producers for identifying ostrich.
The most common method of identifying young birds which are grown for the slaughter market is by the use of plastic numbered leg bands. This is the method we use for all males and any females which are noticeably "substandard" when young.
These bands can be placed on the birds at hatching and will be useful for several weeks. Larger bands are available for juvenile and adult birds that can be adjusted to the size of the lag as the birds grow.
Microchip-ing Many producers use microchip identification as a method of identifying birds. Birds can be microchipped at hatching by implanting the small chip under the skin (often placed in the pipping muscle of the neck at this time). Microchip-ing should be undertaken by experienced handlers.
This method is useful in both identifying birds on the ranch and also for locating and identifying lost or stolen birds. Many insurance companies require microchip identification.
You may also microchip birds at one month of age. We prefer to locate the microchip in the pipping muscle but we have found them in the hip muscle, the muscle on the back just above the tail and the area between the wings.
When the ostrich business in your country is still in the "breeder" phase, we recommend microchipping every bird. As the business changes to a "commercial" market and birds are primarily grown for slaughter, we recommend only microchip-ing females which appear very healthy at one to two months of age.
Several companies produce both microchips and readers. Until recently these products were not totally compatible. Consequently, different readers are required for different chips. This has now changed, although the "all chip" readers are quite expensive and are only required if you are purchasing a large quantity of birds from many different sources.
There are now companies that provide DNA fingerprint identification. This procedure involves analysis of blood from your bird that is used to identify that bird from all other birds.
Sexing Juvenile Birds Because different plumage of male and female ostrich is not apparent until the birds are nearly two years of age, sexing young birds by visual examination of the phallus (present in both sexes) is necessary.
Sexing an ostrich can be done at any age but we have found that examination at two weeks is usually easiest. Examination of birds younger than this is often more difficult, and examining older birds usually involves both restraint and internal examination - and we have some birds that like it too much!
The birds can be examined while standing or while held by a second person. The examiner simply pulls up on the tail of the bird and with the other hand applies pressure on the cloaca area.
By gently applying pressure from the bird outward, the cloaca will be inverted and the phallus (which rests on the floor of the cloaca - not the floor of the hatching room) will be exposed.
The male phallus is larger, curved and more cartilaginous than that of the female. In order to become proficient at this type of examination, do several birds and compare the difference.
After a little practice, this procedure will become easily mastered and more than 95% of the birds of this age can be accurately sexed. In some instances, the difference will not be as noticeable and these birds should be re-examined at a later time to confirm your earlier decision.
Identification There are numerous options available to producers for identifying ostrich.
The most common method of identifying young birds which are grown for the slaughter market is by the use of plastic numbered leg bands. This is the method we use for all males and any females which are noticeably "substandard" when young.
These bands can be placed on the birds at hatching and will be useful for several weeks. Larger bands are available for juvenile and adult birds that can be adjusted to the size of the lag as the birds grow.
Microchip-ing Many producers use microchip identification as a method of identifying birds. Birds can be microchipped at hatching by implanting the small chip under the skin (often placed in the pipping muscle of the neck at this time). Microchip-ing should be undertaken by experienced handlers.
This method is useful in both identifying birds on the ranch and also for locating and identifying lost or stolen birds. Many insurance companies require microchip identification.
You may also microchip birds at one month of age. We prefer to locate the microchip in the pipping muscle but we have found them in the hip muscle, the muscle on the back just above the tail and the area between the wings.
When the ostrich business in your country is still in the "breeder" phase, we recommend microchipping every bird. As the business changes to a "commercial" market and birds are primarily grown for slaughter, we recommend only microchip-ing females which appear very healthy at one to two months of age.
Several companies produce both microchips and readers. Until recently these products were not totally compatible. Consequently, different readers are required for different chips. This has now changed, although the "all chip" readers are quite expensive and are only required if you are purchasing a large quantity of birds from many different sources.
There are now companies that provide DNA fingerprint identification. This procedure involves analysis of blood from your bird that is used to identify that bird from all other birds.
Sexing Juvenile Birds Because different plumage of male and female ostrich is not apparent until the birds are nearly two years of age, sexing young birds by visual examination of the phallus (present in both sexes) is necessary.
Sexing an ostrich can be done at any age but we have found that examination at two weeks is usually easiest. Examination of birds younger than this is often more difficult, and examining older birds usually involves both restraint and internal examination - and we have some birds that like it too much!
The birds can be examined while standing or while held by a second person. The examiner simply pulls up on the tail of the bird and with the other hand applies pressure on the cloaca area.
By gently applying pressure from the bird outward, the cloaca will be inverted and the phallus (which rests on the floor of the cloaca - not the floor of the hatching room) will be exposed.
The male phallus is larger, curved and more cartilaginous than that of the female. In order to become proficient at this type of examination, do several birds and compare the difference.
After a little practice, this procedure will become easily mastered and more than 95% of the birds of this age can be accurately sexed. In some instances, the difference will not be as noticeable and these birds should be re-examined at a later time to confirm your earlier decision.