The Ostrich herd at Switzerland’s Zoo Basel
has grown significantly with the hatching of ten chicks since December 20 to
mother Manyara, age 21, and father Baringo, age 20. Manyara and Baringo shared
the job of incubating their eggs, with the male taking the night shift and the
female brooding during the day. Their
efficient system has been perfected over years of practice: Manyara and Baringo have produced more than
110 chicks since 2000. All the chicks
were brooded and hatched naturally, with no incubators or human assistance.
Photo Credits: Zoo Basel
Ostrich chicks are precocial birds, beginning
to gather their own food as soon as they hatch. Because food is scarce on the
African savannah, wild Ostriches will eat whenever food is available. In captivity, Ostriches will do the same, and
have a tendency to become obese. As a result, it’s important for the zoo staff to
carefully monitor the chicks‘ food intake.
Obesity or overly rapid growth can have a
negative impact on bone development in young Ostriches. Therefore, feed
quantities for the baby Ostriches are tailored to the age and
number of animals. Care is also taken to ensure that the feed has the ideal
ingredients. For example, calcium – a mineral important for bone growth – is given
to the animals via greens, shell limestone, and a special mixture of vitamins
and minerals. The chicks are also weighed
regularly to monitor their healthy growth and development.
Learn more below the fold.
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