鸸鹋卵人工孵化初探

对1998～2002年哈尔滨北方森林动物园鸸鹋卵人工孵化条件进行综合分析,以初步确定鸸鹋人工孵化的适宜条件,结果表明,卵型指数为1.52～1.56的鸸鹋卵,孵化温度控制在36.5～37.4℃,孵化湿度为50%～61%,孵化期失重在10%～15%之间能获得最佳孵化率和健雏率。Hoty方程计算出鸸鹋卵特异系数CSS为0.000565(n=60)。鸸鹋卵平放180°,每2h翻1次卵,晾1次卵,翻卵角度为90°能明显提高鸸鹋出雏率和健雏率,及时熟练的人工助产是避免鸸鹋后期死亡的重要手段。     

The length of storage of emu eggs and resultant effects on hatchability

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) are a large flightless bird and are members of the Ratite family. Emu originated from Australia and have long been raised for their meat and oil. The cost associated with raising emu is high, which makes emu meat and products expensive. Emu have very low hatchability rates when compared with other commercial poultry. To date, little research has been published on egg storage conditions of emu eggs, which may contribute to the decreased hatchability of the eggs. In this study, eggs were stored for times ranging from 1 to 8 wk and subsequent effects on moisture loss and hatchability was recorded. We found significant differences (P < 0.0104) in hatchability of emu eggs due to storage time. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) were also found in moisture loss due to egg storage. Based on these data, 2 wk of egg storage appears to be the optimal storage time. After 3 wk of storage, hatchability begins to decrease.     

The effect of feeding Hydrogel-95 to emu chicks at hatch

Very little research has been conducted on emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) in comparison to other types of poultry. Much of the information that is available to producers is very conflicting. Feed restriction for the emu chick for the first 4 d of life is a common practice among the emu industry; however, scientific research has not supported this practice. To the best of our knowledge, the effects of hydration supplements have not been investigated in the emu. Therefore, weights were recorded on emus fed Hydrogel-95 and were compared with emus that were not fed any supplements to determine if the supplement had any effect on the growth parameters of emu chicks. From these 2 field trials, we conclude that feeding Hydrogel-95 significantly decreases weight loss in emu chicks during the first week of life.     

Seasonal and daily changes in the behaviour of the adult emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) under farm conditions

1. The aim of this study was to present selected elements of emu behaviour in three different seasons (the non-breeding season, the pre-breeding season and the breeding season) and in the morning and afternoon. The study focused on feed, water and sand intake; plumage care; resting; agonistic behaviour and other activities, mostly standing still, aimless walking or observing the surroundings.

2. The troop consisted of 11 emus (5 females and 6 males) aged 12 years, kept in a free-range system. Observations were carried out during a period of 3 weeks in each season, during which 60-min observation sessions took place on 3 randomly chosen days.

3. A significant effect was found of each season on the behaviour patterns related to feeding, sand intake, plumage care, resting and agonistic behaviour.

4. Time of day affected the behaviour associated with the collection of food and water, foraging, pecking and ingesting sand and plumage preening.

5. Most of the time, regardless of season and time of day, the emus were standing still, walking aimlessly or observing the surrounding area.     

Pathotyping of a Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Fasciola hepatica infection in farmed emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Objective To describe two cases of infection with Fasciola hepatica i n young farmed emus, subacute and chronic fasci-olosis and a response to treatment of the flock with albenda-zole.
Procedure Gross lesions were found at necropsy and hepatic lesions in microscopic examination. The parasite recovered from one emu was identified by its morphological characteristics and an egg count reduction test was carried out after treatment of the flock with albendazole.
Results Hepatic lesions resembling subacute and chronic fasciolosis of ruminants were identified. An adult fluke was recovered from the liver of one of the birds and was identified as F hepatica . The eggs of the fluke were irregular in shape and size. No fluke eggs were identifiable in faeces of live emus 10 days after treatment of the flock with albendazole at a dose of 10 mg/kg.
Conclusions This is the first reported case of infection with F hepatica i n farmed emus and the first report of the occurrence of Fasciola infection is the class Aves. The irregular shape and size of the eggs may be attributable to infection of an aberrant host. Treatment with albendazole eliminated eggs from the faeces of the flock.     

鸸鹋、公鸡和火鸡饲料利用率比较

本研究采用代谢试验比较了7月龄鸸鹋与7月龄火鸡和17月龄公鸡对饲料的利用率。研究结果表明:1)鸸鹋的采食量显著高于火鸡和公鸡(P<0.05);2)鸸鹋日粮能量的表观代谢率和NDF利用率显著高于公鸡(P<0.05),但与火鸡无显著差异,对CF和ADF的利用率显著高于公鸡和火鸡(P<0.05);3)鸸鹋日粮脂肪利用率显著低于火鸡或公鸡,而蛋白质的利用率与火鸡或公鸡无显著差异。因此认为,鸸鹋对能量代谢率较高是由于鸸鹋日粮纤维成分利用率较高的缘故,鸸鹋日粮EE和CP较低的利用率可能与鸸鹋未发育完全的消化系统有关。