Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation
Regarding the ongoing global development of commercial ostrich husbandry, it is necessary to establish science-based recommendations for the appropriate treatment and welfare of ostriches. In this study, we determined the minimum housing area required for ostriches aged between 6 and 15 months. The...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | Sabrina Rückschloss Robin N. Schüttpelz Rüdiger Korbel |
| author_facet | Sabrina Rückschloss Robin N. Schüttpelz Rüdiger Korbel |
| author_sort | Sabrina Rückschloss |
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| description | Regarding the ongoing global development of commercial ostrich husbandry, it is necessary to establish science-based recommendations for the appropriate treatment and welfare of ostriches. In this study, we determined the minimum housing area required for ostriches aged between 6 and 15 months. The planimetry revealed that the animals in this age group cover an average area of 0.31 m<sup>2</sup> to 0.57 m<sup>2</sup> with their bodies. To investigate the effects of space differences, the animals were divided into three groups and kept in 2.5 m<sup>2</sup>, 5 m<sup>2</sup>, and 10 m<sup>2</sup> of available space per animal. When comparing their weight and growth, a deficit was found in the animals that were provided with a housing area of 2.5 m<sup>2</sup>. Furthermore, the animals exhibited differences in their integument and plumage score. The ostriches with the smallest housing area showed poorer scores in the plumage and integument than the animals with more space. At the conclusion of this study, the animals were slaughtered, and their carcass weights were compared. Similarly, lower carcass weights of the animals with a 2.5 m<sup>2</sup> barn area were observed. Prior studies have indicated that long-term stress leads to immune deficiencies associated with the inadequate development of the immune organs. However, a preliminary examination of the heart and spleen did not reveal any evidence for this. Further ethological studies are necessary to provide specific recommendations for minimum housing areas for ostriches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad409c0a35fa429fbd8da5fd19f3e5b7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ad409c0a35fa429fbd8da5fd19f3e5b72025-08-20T02:44:52ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115458210.3390/ani15040582Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare LegislationSabrina Rückschloss0Robin N. Schüttpelz1Rüdiger Korbel2Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleißheim, GermanyInstitute of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80539 München, GermanyClinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleißheim, GermanyRegarding the ongoing global development of commercial ostrich husbandry, it is necessary to establish science-based recommendations for the appropriate treatment and welfare of ostriches. In this study, we determined the minimum housing area required for ostriches aged between 6 and 15 months. The planimetry revealed that the animals in this age group cover an average area of 0.31 m<sup>2</sup> to 0.57 m<sup>2</sup> with their bodies. To investigate the effects of space differences, the animals were divided into three groups and kept in 2.5 m<sup>2</sup>, 5 m<sup>2</sup>, and 10 m<sup>2</sup> of available space per animal. When comparing their weight and growth, a deficit was found in the animals that were provided with a housing area of 2.5 m<sup>2</sup>. Furthermore, the animals exhibited differences in their integument and plumage score. The ostriches with the smallest housing area showed poorer scores in the plumage and integument than the animals with more space. At the conclusion of this study, the animals were slaughtered, and their carcass weights were compared. Similarly, lower carcass weights of the animals with a 2.5 m<sup>2</sup> barn area were observed. Prior studies have indicated that long-term stress leads to immune deficiencies associated with the inadequate development of the immune organs. However, a preliminary examination of the heart and spleen did not reveal any evidence for this. Further ethological studies are necessary to provide specific recommendations for minimum housing areas for ostriches.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/582ostrichbarn areaanimal welfare legislationostrich husbandryratites |
| spellingShingle | Sabrina Rückschloss Robin N. Schüttpelz Rüdiger Korbel Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation Animals ostrich barn area animal welfare legislation ostrich husbandry ratites |
| title | Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation |
| title_full | Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation |
| title_short | Assessment of Minimum Stable Areas for Young Ostriches According to Animal Welfare Legislation |
| title_sort | assessment of minimum stable areas for young ostriches according to animal welfare legislation |
| topic | ostrich barn area animal welfare legislation ostrich husbandry ratites |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/582 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sabrinaruckschloss assessmentofminimumstableareasforyoungostrichesaccordingtoanimalwelfarelegislation AT robinnschuttpelz assessmentofminimumstableareasforyoungostrichesaccordingtoanimalwelfarelegislation AT rudigerkorbel assessmentofminimumstableareasforyoungostrichesaccordingtoanimalwelfarelegislation |