D. Swart et al., INFLUENCE OF LIVE MASS, RATE OF PASSAGE AND SITE OF DIGESTION ON ENERGY-METABOLISM AND FIBER DIGESTION IN THE OSTRICH (STRUTHIO-CAMELUS VARDOMESTICUS), South African journal of animal science, 23(5-6), 1993, pp. 119-126
Energy metabolism and digestion of dietary fibre in growing ostrich ch
icks were studied at different live masses (5 - 50 kg) by means of a t
otal excreta collection method and a radioactive indicator method. Pas
sage rate of digesta particles through the digestive tract and site of
digestion were also investigated. Passage Tate within live mass group
s varied considerably (from 21 to 76 h). Overall mean passage rate was
40.1 h and it was independent of live mass. Digestibility coefficient
s for cell walls (NDF), hemicellulose and cellulose were 47%, 66% and
38% respectively, and were not influenced by live mass. The hindgut pr
ovided a suitable nutritional environment for fermentative microflora,
especially in the enlarged haustrated colon of the ostrich. Of the to
tal metabolizable energy in the diet, 12% disappeared in the hindgut.