Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-08-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:24:58Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_vms_dr_jabo.pdf: 1563126 bytes, checksum: a8597458785ed3fc77495b0253e82143 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Um dos maiores entraves na criação de avestruzes é relacionado à contaminação da região umbilical de avestruzes recém-eclodidos. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a cicatrização umbilical de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) mediante a antissepsia com clorexidina associada à secção total ou parcial do cordão umbilical. Também foi avaliado o desempenho ponderal e investigado a causa de morte, associando-os com a onfalite. Foram utilizados 227 filhotes, cujo cordão umbilical foi seccionado totalmente ou 0,5 cm acima da sua inserção. A antissepsia da região umbilical consistiu na aplicação de clorexidina, em solução aquosa ou alcoólica, nas concentrações de 0,5%, 1,0% e 2,0%, durante três dias. Também foi incluído um grupo sem tratamento. A cicatrização umbilical e o desenvolvimento ponderal foram avaliados aos 14 e 28 dias de idade do filhote. As aves que vieram a óbito foram necropsiadas e fragmentos de umbigo foram submetidos ao exame histopatológico. Os resultados mostraram que as soluções de clorexidina reduziram o risco de onfalite, sendo a solução alcoólica 2% a mais eficiente. A cicatrização foi mais rápida nas aves em que o cordão umbilical foi seccionado totalmente. Pela análise microscópica dos cortes histológicos de umbigo não se evidenciou diferenças morfológicas entre o grupo sem tratamento e o grupo da clorexidina alcoólica 2%. Em geral, os filhotes apresentaram baixo desenvolvimento decorrente de manejo inadequado. Nenhuma morte foi associada a onfalite. Conclui-se que, o uso de clorexidina para a antissepsia da região umbilical de avestruzes recém-eclodidos, é seguro e favorece a cicatrização umbilical, sendo necessário para uma maior efetividade remover o cordão umbilical na altura da sua inserção. / The contamination of the umbilical region of newly hatched ostrich is one of the major problems in the bird production. This work aimed to evaluate the umbilical healing of ostriches (Struthio camelus) through the use of chlorhexidine as antiseptic associated to the total or partial umbilical cord cut off. It was evaluated both the weight performance and “causa mortis” associated with omphalitis occurrence as well. It was used 227 newly hatched ostriches of which the umbilical cords were either sectioned totally or 0.5 cm above their insertion. The umbilical region antisepsis consisted of topical administration of an aqueous or alcoholic solution of chlorhexidine, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% during three days. A group of non-treated animals was added also. The umbilical healing and weight performance were evaluated in the ostriches at 14 and 28 days of age. Those animals which came to death were necropsied and umbilical fragments were submitted to histopathological exam. Results showed that all the chlorhexidine solutions reduced the risk of omphalitis, being the alcoholic solution 2% the most efficient. Umbilical healing was faster in animals in which the umbilical cord was totally cut off. The histopathological exam revealed no morphological differences between the non-treated group and the alcoholic chlorhexidine 2% group. In general, the newly hatched ostriches presented low weight performance due to inadequate handling. Animal deaths were not associated to omphalitis. It can be concluded that the use of chlorhexidine as antiseptic for newly hatched ostriches is safe and favors the umbilical healing. Moreover, for a better effectiveness it is necessary to remove the umbilical cord in its insertion.

Orientador: Danísio Prado Munari / Banca: Maria Estela Gaglianone Moro / Banca:João Ademir de Oliveira / Resumo: Medidas periódicas de peso corporal de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) foram utilizadas para avaliar o desenvolvimento corporal por meio de modelos não lineares e para obter estimativas de herdabilidade para pesos ao nascer (PN), aos 90 (P90) e aos 180 dias de idade (P180). As funções estudadas foram: Brody, Richards, von Bertalanffy, Gompertz e Logístico, pelo método de Gauss Newton, por meio de regressão não-linear das características em função da idade (dias). As estimativas de herdabilidade foram obtidas pelo método de máxima verossimilhança restrita. Todos os modelos não-lineares ajustaram parâmetros para o crescimento corporal, exceto Richards e Brody. O modelo Gompertz foi o mais adequado para representar o crescimento, conforme a interpretação biológica dos parâmetros e a qualidade do ajuste. As estimativas de herdabilidade foram de 0,42±0,05, 0,16±0,04 e 0,24±0,08 para PN, P90 e P180, respectivamente. Todas as características poderão responder à seleção / Abstract: Periodic measurements of body weight of ostriches (Struthio camelus) was used to evaluate the body development by nonlinear models and to fit heritability estimates of hatched chick weight (CHWT) and live weights recorded at 90 (LW90) and 180 (LW180) days of age. The studied models were: Brody, Richards, von Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Logistic, by Gauss-Newton method, on nonlinear regression of the traits in function of the age (days). The heritability estimates were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood method. All the nonlinear models fitted parameters for body growth, except Richards and Brody. The Gompertz model was the more appropriate to represent the growth, considering the biological interpretation of the parameters and the quality of the fitting. The heritability estimates were 0,42±0,05, 0,16±0,04 and 0,24±0,08 for CHWT, LW90 and LW180 respectively. All the traits can respond to selection / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:58:58Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_pp_me_botfmvz.pdf: 771321 bytes, checksum: d6c2f366a7619a585fb50df0243f193a (MD5) / Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP) / A estrutiocultura brasileira é uma atividade nova com apenas 10 anos de implantação. O Brasil já possui o segundo maior plantel mundial, de aproximadamente 335 mil aves, perdendo apenas para a África do Sul, centenária na criação e comercialização de avestruzes. Assim como em outros países, no Brasil existem poucas pesquisas sobre a produção comercial destas aves. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram o de identificar as principais características dos ovos de avestruzes e sua relação com a produtividade em condições de incubação artificial; verificar o comportamento dos componentes do ovo: casca, gema e albúmem, nas três fases da estação reprodutiva; obter pela visualização do disco germinativo (DG) a fertilidade (FERDG) e infertilidade (INFDG) reais; analisar e quantificar o número de perfurações espermáticas na membrana perivitelínica (PEMPV) e relacioná-las às taxas de fertilidade (FER) dos ovos incubados. Em 2004, durante os seis meses de postura, foram acompanhadas 8 fêmeas que botaram em média 44 ovos cada uma, equivalente à performance produtiva de 45%. Encontrou-se diferença no peso inicial (PI) dos ovos (1428 g), no peso dos filhotes ao nascimento (864 g), na porcentagem do peso do filhote (PPFI) (60,4%) e no índice de perda de peso (IPP) (14,8%) tanto entre os piquetes quanto fases da estação reprodutiva. A PPFI e o IPP também diferiram entre os dias de duração da incubação. Os pesos médios da gema (305 g), albúmem (808 g) e casca (256 g) variaram entre os piquetes mas não no decorrer da estação reprodutiva. Suas proporções foram semelhantes entre os piquetes e fases, com 21,8% de gema, 58,1% de albúmem e 18,3% de casca. As características dos ovos se mantiveram constantes durante a estação. A largura (12,2 cm) e a área total da casca (582 cm²) se diferenciaram nos quatro trios. As outras características... / The ostrich farm in Brazil is a new activity with just nearly 10 years of establishment. Brazil has become the second world in breeding ostriches, with about 335 thousand birds, following South Africa, the first one in breeding and commercial farming for over a century. As in other countries, in Brazil there are few researches on the commercial production of these birds. The objectives of this work were to identify the main measurable morphologic characteristics of the ostrich eggs and its relation with the hatchability rate in artificial incubation conditions; to verify how the egg components – shell, yolk and albumen– vary during the laying season; to determine by the germinal disc (GD) the vitalization of the real fertility (FERGD) and infertility (INFGD), and to analyze and quantify the number of sperm penetration (SP) in the inner perivitelline layer (PL) and to correlate with fertility (FER) of the incubated eggs. During the six months of 2004´ reproductive period the 8 females laid an average of 44 eggs each, corresponding to productive percentage of 45%. Differences were found in the initial egg weight (EW) (1428 g), in the chick weight at hatch (864 g), in the percentage of chick weight (PCW) (60.4%) relate to the EW and in the egg weight loss (EWL) (14.8%) at by pen phases. The PCW and the EWL were also different when the incubation length was considered. The weight of the yolk (305 g), albumen (808 g) and shell (256 g) varied among the pens but not during the reproduction period. The proportions of the egg components were similar among pens and in the phases, with 21.8% of yolk, 58.1% of albumen and 18.3% of shell. The egg characteristics had no change during the laying period. On the other hand the trio had a variation in its width (12.2 cm) and the total shell area (582 cm²). Other characteristics were analyzed, such as the length of the egg (15 cm), the index of egg... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Resumo: A estrutiocultura brasileira é uma atividade nova com apenas 10 anos de implantação. O Brasil já possui o segundo maior plantel mundial, de aproximadamente 335 mil aves, perdendo apenas para a África do Sul, centenária na criação e comercialização de avestruzes. Assim como em outros países, no Brasil existem poucas pesquisas sobre a produção comercial destas aves. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram o de identificar as principais características dos ovos de avestruzes e sua relação com a produtividade em condições de incubação artificial; verificar o comportamento dos componentes do ovo: casca, gema e albúmem, nas três fases da estação reprodutiva; obter pela visualização do disco germinativo (DG) a fertilidade (FERDG) e infertilidade (INFDG) reais; analisar e quantificar o número de perfurações espermáticas na membrana perivitelínica (PEMPV) e relacioná-las às taxas de fertilidade (FER) dos ovos incubados. Em 2004, durante os seis meses de postura, foram acompanhadas 8 fêmeas que botaram em média 44 ovos cada uma, equivalente à performance produtiva de 45%. Encontrou-se diferença no peso inicial (PI) dos ovos (1428 g), no peso dos filhotes ao nascimento (864 g), na porcentagem do peso do filhote (PPFI) (60,4%) e no índice de perda de peso (IPP) (14,8%) tanto entre os piquetes quanto fases da estação reprodutiva. A PPFI e o IPP também diferiram entre os dias de duração da incubação. Os pesos médios da gema (305 g), albúmem (808 g) e casca (256 g) variaram entre os piquetes mas não no decorrer da estação reprodutiva. Suas proporções foram semelhantes entre os piquetes e fases, com 21,8% de gema, 58,1% de albúmem e 18,3% de casca. As características dos ovos se mantiveram constantes durante a estação. A largura (12,2 cm) e a área total da casca (582 cm²) se diferenciaram nos quatro trios. As outras características... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The ostrich farm in Brazil is a new activity with just nearly 10 years of establishment. Brazil has become the second world in breeding ostriches, with about 335 thousand birds, following South Africa, the first one in breeding and commercial farming for over a century. As in other countries, in Brazil there are few researches on the commercial production of these birds. The objectives of this work were to identify the main measurable morphologic characteristics of the ostrich eggs and its relation with the hatchability rate in artificial incubation conditions; to verify how the egg components - shell, yolk and albumen- vary during the laying season; to determine by the germinal disc (GD) the vitalization of the real fertility (FERGD) and infertility (INFGD), and to analyze and quantify the number of sperm penetration (SP) in the inner perivitelline layer (PL) and to correlate with fertility (FER) of the incubated eggs. During the six months of 2004' reproductive period the 8 females laid an average of 44 eggs each, corresponding to productive percentage of 45%. Differences were found in the initial egg weight (EW) (1428 g), in the chick weight at hatch (864 g), in the percentage of chick weight (PCW) (60.4%) relate to the EW and in the egg weight loss (EWL) (14.8%) at by pen phases. The PCW and the EWL were also different when the incubation length was considered. The weight of the yolk (305 g), albumen (808 g) and shell (256 g) varied among the pens but not during the reproduction period. The proportions of the egg components were similar among pens and in the phases, with 21.8% of yolk, 58.1% of albumen and 18.3% of shell. The egg characteristics had no change during the laying period. On the other hand the trio had a variation in its width (12.2 cm) and the total shell area (582 cm²). Other characteristics were analyzed, such as the length of the egg (15 cm), the index of egg... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira / Coorientador: Elisabeth Gonzales / Mestre

Orientador: Gervásio Henrique Bechara / Banca: Tânia de Freitas Raso / Banca: Eliana Reiko Matushima / Banca: Karin Werther / Banca: Rosemeri de Oliveira Vasconcelos / Resumo: Um dos maiores entraves na criação de avestruzes é relacionado à contaminação da região umbilical de avestruzes recém-eclodidos. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a cicatrização umbilical de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) mediante a antissepsia com clorexidina associada à secção total ou parcial do cordão umbilical. Também foi avaliado o desempenho ponderal e investigado a causa de morte, associando-os com a onfalite. Foram utilizados 227 filhotes, cujo cordão umbilical foi seccionado totalmente ou 0,5 cm acima da sua inserção. A antissepsia da região umbilical consistiu na aplicação de clorexidina, em solução aquosa ou alcoólica, nas concentrações de 0,5%, 1,0% e 2,0%, durante três dias. Também foi incluído um grupo sem tratamento. A cicatrização umbilical e o desenvolvimento ponderal foram avaliados aos 14 e 28 dias de idade do filhote. As aves que vieram a óbito foram necropsiadas e fragmentos de umbigo foram submetidos ao exame histopatológico. Os resultados mostraram que as soluções de clorexidina reduziram o risco de onfalite, sendo a solução alcoólica 2% a mais eficiente. A cicatrização foi mais rápida nas aves em que o cordão umbilical foi seccionado totalmente. Pela análise microscópica dos cortes histológicos de umbigo não se evidenciou diferenças morfológicas entre o grupo sem tratamento e o grupo da clorexidina alcoólica 2%. Em geral, os filhotes apresentaram baixo desenvolvimento decorrente de manejo inadequado. Nenhuma morte foi associada a onfalite. Conclui-se que, o uso de clorexidina para a antissepsia da região umbilical de avestruzes recém-eclodidos, é seguro e favorece a cicatrização umbilical, sendo necessário para uma maior efetividade remover o cordão umbilical na altura da sua inserção. / Abstract: The contamination of the umbilical region of newly hatched ostrich is one of the major problems in the bird production. This work aimed to evaluate the umbilical healing of ostriches (Struthio camelus) through the use of chlorhexidine as antiseptic associated to the total or partial umbilical cord cut off. It was evaluated both the weight performance and "causa mortis" associated with omphalitis occurrence as well. It was used 227 newly hatched ostriches of which the umbilical cords were either sectioned totally or 0.5 cm above their insertion. The umbilical region antisepsis consisted of topical administration of an aqueous or alcoholic solution of chlorhexidine, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% during three days. A group of non-treated animals was added also. The umbilical healing and weight performance were evaluated in the ostriches at 14 and 28 days of age. Those animals which came to death were necropsied and umbilical fragments were submitted to histopathological exam. Results showed that all the chlorhexidine solutions reduced the risk of omphalitis, being the alcoholic solution 2% the most efficient. Umbilical healing was faster in animals in which the umbilical cord was totally cut off. The histopathological exam revealed no morphological differences between the non-treated group and the alcoholic chlorhexidine 2% group. In general, the newly hatched ostriches presented low weight performance due to inadequate handling. Animal deaths were not associated to omphalitis. It can be concluded that the use of chlorhexidine as antiseptic for newly hatched ostriches is safe and favors the umbilical healing. Moreover, for a better effectiveness it is necessary to remove the umbilical cord in its insertion. / Doutor

A falta de conhecimento sobre a reprodução do avestruz dificulta o desenvolvimento da sua criação comercial devido a uma baixa eficiência reprodutiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ação da aplicação de um análogo de GnRH (lecirelina - Gestran Plus®) na indução da ovulação em fêmeas adultas de avestruz. Primeiramente, um grupo de 10 fêmeas foi avaliado para determinação de seu status reprodutivo, por meio da mensuração das concentrações séricas de estradiol e progesterona (coletas de sangue 3x/semana); da observação do comportamento reprodutivo; da determinação do desenvolvimento ovariano por exame ultrassonográfico (a cada 21 dias); e pela postura de ovos. Após o término desta primeira fase, as fêmeas foram separadas em grupo controle (n = 3) e grupo tratado (n = 6). A cada semana, 2 fêmeas do grupo tratado eram selecionadas para a aplicação intramuscular de 1ml (25μl) de lecirelina, e os seus efeitos avaliados pela análise das concentrações séricas de estradiol, progesterona e corticosterona (0h, 6h, 24h, 48h e 96h pós-aplicação); pela verificação do desenvolvimento ovariano e ocorrência de ovulação através de exames ultrassonográficos (24h, 48h e 96h); pela observação de comportamento reprodutivo (0h, 48h e 96h) e pela postura de ovos. O tratamento foi repetido no mesmo animal a cada 21 dias e em cada tratamento realizado, 2 fêmeas do grupo controle eram submetidas às mesmas análises. Os resultados indicam que a aplicação de lecirelina foi capaz de induzir a ovulação em 77% dos tratamentos realizados, com postura de ovos normais em 50% das induções. Assim, o tratamento proposto foi considerado eficiente na indução da ovulação em fêmeas de avestruz desde que seja aplicado em fêmeas que apresentem ovário bem desenvolvido. / The lack of knowledge about the ostrich reproduction delays the development of the ostrich commercial breeding due to a low reproductive performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of an analog of GnRH (Lecirelin - Gestran Plus®) for induction of ovulation in adult female ostriches. Initially, a group of 10 adult female ostriches were evaluated in order to determine their reproductive status, by measuring serum levels of estradiol and progesterone (blood sampling - 3 times a week), by the observation of reproductive behavior, by the evaluation of the ovarian development through ultrasound examination (repeated every 21 days) and by the egg laying data. After the end of the first phase, female ostriches were separated into a control group (n = 3) and a treated group (n = 6). Every week, two females from the treated group were selected to receive the treatment: an intramuscular application of 1 ml (25μl) of Lecirelin. The effect of the application was evaluated by the analysis of serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone (0h, 6h, 24h, 48h and 96h post-application), by the verification of the ovarian development and the occurrence of ovulation through ultrasound examinations (24h, 48h and 96h), by the observation of reproductive behavior (0h, 48h and 96h) and by the egg laying data. The intramuscular application was repeated in the same animal every 21 days and two females from the control group were subjected to the same analysis during each treatment. The results indicate that the application of Lecirelin was able to induce ovulation in 77% of the treatments with normal egg laying in 50% of inductions. Thus, the treatment was found effective in inducing ovulation in female ostrich provided that it is applied in females who exhibit well developed ovary.

O avestruz (Struthio camelus), embora compartilhe de muitas adaptações evolucionárias de outros pássaros, possui algumas características anatômicas relacionadas com o seu tubo digestivo que são únicas, entre as quais podemos citar o cólon que se apresenta maior que o ceco (aparece duplicado) . Há algum tempo esta ave têm sido explorada economicamente, principalmente na alimentação como uma carne alternativa para o consumo humano. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar as estruturas anatômicas e histológicas do intestino ligadas a distribuição do tecido linfóide . No estudo foram utilizados vinte e quatro avestruzes, com idade entre 2 meses e 2,5 anos, sendo animais destinados ao abate. Para a descrição morfológica utilizou-se a metodologia preconizada Bezuindenhout (1986) e o método de rotina para coloração hematoxilina e eosina. Esperamos contribuir na multiplicação de conhecimentos na área da estrutiocultura. / Although the ostrich shares a lot of evolutionary adaptation with other birds, it presents some anatomical characteristics concerning its digestive tube that are unique, like the colon for instance. The ostrich?s colon is bigger than its caecum. The caecum is doubled. The caecum is folded. This bird has been economically exploited, mainly because of its meat as an alternative food for humans. The purpose of the present research is to study the anatomical and histological structures connecting them to the lymphoid tissue distribution. In this study, 24 ostriches between the ages of 2 months and 2 years and a half ? when they?re ready to be slaughtered ? were used. In order to describe the study, the Bezuindenhout methodology and the routine method for printing H. E. and eosine were used.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:31:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_tatiana_cheuiche_pesenti.pdf: 10915320 bytes, checksum: 8c48924716b7a42d6df3f382d58c13bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-28 / Ostrich is an ratit bird that originated from Africa. In Brazil is found manly in commercial farms. The number of farms that raise ostriches is growing in Brazil due to the great reproductive potential of these birds and the great economic value of its products. Because of this increase in raising of ostriches, parasites have appeared of which little is known or studied, thus raising the need for study and description of these parasites to the scientific community and breeders. With the objective of studying the presence of parasitess in ostriches from commercial farms in the Rio Grande do Sul State, heads, respiratory and digestive systems were examined individually from 34 ostriches as well as a collection of their feathers. The material was collected during the slaughter in the Castilhense Abattoir, located in the city of Julio de Castilhos, RS. The contents and mucous membrane of the small intestine, cecum and large intestine were examined; as well as the mucous of the esophagus, proventriculus and gizzer; lung, trachea and pancreas were examined; as well as the exterior, oral, nasal and ocular cavities of the head. Nematodes were found in the digestive and respiratory systems and lice and mites in feathers. The nematodes were clarified with lactophenol and identified as Libyostrongylus douglassii, L. dentatus and Codiostomum struthionis. The lice were clarified using metil salicilate, the mites with lactophenol and identified respectively as Struthiolipeurus rheae and Struthiopterolichus sculpturatus. This is the first description of C. struthionis in ostriches in the Rio Grande do Sul state and L. dentatus in Brazil, as well as the simultaneous parasitism of L. douglassii and L. dentatus in the same host in these country. This is also the first report of S. rheae and S. sculpturatus in ostriches from the Rio Grande do Sul state. / Avestruz é uma ave ratita originária da África. No Brasil é encontrada, principalmente, em criatórios comerciais, os quais vem se expandindo no país devido ao alto potencial reprodutivo destas aves, bem como pelo valor econômico de seus produtos. Devido a esse aumento na criação comercial tem ocorrido a detecção de parasitos pouco conhecidos ou estudados, havendo a necessidade de descrição desses à comunidade científica e aos criadores, pois podem causar um impacto negativo no plantel. Com o objetivo de pesquisar parasitos em avestruz de criatórios comerciais do RS, examinaram-se individualmente as cabeças e os sistemas digestório e respiratório de 34 aves, bem como, coletivamente, suas plumas. O material foi coletado durante o abate no frigorífico Castilhense localizado no município de Júlio de Castilhos, RS. Os conteúdos e as mucosas do intestino delgado, ceco e intestino grosso; mucosas do pró-ventrículo, moela e esôfago; pulmão, traquéia e pâncreas foram examinados, além da superfície externa da cabeça bem como as cavidades oral, nasal e ocular. Encontraram-se nematóides no sistema digestório e piolhos e ácaros nas plumas. Os nematóides encontrados foram clarificados em lactofenol e identificados como Libyostrongylus douglassii, L. dentatus e Codiostomum struthionis. Os piolhos foram clarificados em salicilato de metila, os ácaros em lactofenol e identificados, respectivamente, como Struthiolipeurus rheae e Struthiopterolichus sculpturatus. Faz-se o primeiro registro de C. struthionis em avestruz no RS e L. dentatus no Brasil, assim como o parasitismo simultâneo de L. douglassii e L. dentatus. Registra-se também a ocorrência de S. rheae e S. sculpturatus pela primeira vez em avestruz no Rio Grande do Sul.

The research program addressed in this study was to do an analysis of the potentials of the marketing of ostrich meat in the South African market. Being the world leader in the ostrich industry, the research’s emphasis was to establish reasons why the meat industry does not explore the South African meat market. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of the current situation was undertaken and used as a theoretical model to analyse the current situation in the market as well as in the ostrich industry. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify some critical issues that have an influence on the potential of the domestic market. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved using the Internet and World Wide Web, print media, personal interviews and telephonic interviews. The result of the literature study was finally combined with the results of the empirical study and some recommendations were made. The recommendations were applicable to the ostrich industry in so far that implementing some plans for the meat industry can have serious consequences for the other products of the ostrich industry

The changing agricultural environment (dualistic agricultural landscape, land reform programme, market liberalisation and globalisation) has caused emerging ostrich farmers to become increasingly isolated. Governmental agriculture reforms and public sector interventions have been insufficient to address all the challenges faced by rural ostrich farmers in the Eastern Cape. Participation in the ostrich supply chain for emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape is currently unsustainable as a result of avian influenza, control and registration protocols for ostriches (VPN04), structural barriers in marketing, technical constraints and a lack of market participation. People in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape are challenged by inferior infrastructure, poor site conditions, low earnings, poor access to health services and unreliable water sources. The marginal conditions and prevalent complexities in which agriculture is practised require costly resource intervention. Intensive ostrich production necessitates continuous genetic improvement, methodical record keeping, intensive egg incubation methods and highmaintenance chick rearing and ostrich handling while minimising feed costs throughout this process. Rural farmers have not embraced ostrich farming in the same way as they have done with other livestock farming because it does not offer the anthropological functions that traditional livestock farming provides. The ostrich supply chain requires a wide range of activities to bring products to the final consumer. The worth of ostrich production lies mainly in the higher returns which are achieved only through the export markets. Today the ostrich industry has become vulnerable to market cannibalism, a lack of market development, unregulated numbers of ostriches and recurring international meat bans. The deregulation of the ostrich single-channel marketing system had a substantial effect on the value chain on which farmers depended for market access and market protection. As the majority of ostrich products are being exported to the European Union, the role of intermediary agencies is becoming an important factor influencing entry into the high-end markets. This agent structure that represents the South African ostrich industry is vital for the distribution, market penetration and regulation of the ostrich products. The ostrich leather, which is today the main product line, is primarily used for luxury goods and is susceptible to economic downturn and over-supply. The ostrich meat industry has been severely influenced by outbreaks of avian influenza and processors now pre-heat the meat in order to maintain export. However, this preheating meat facility is only for export produce and available to farmers who conform to VPN04 and have officially registered farms. The relevant South African government departments played a crucial role in identifying avian influenza outbreaks and liaising with the European Union about avian influenza isolation strategies. No previous studies have been conducted on the participation of emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape ostrich-industry supply chain and on the interventions required to address the multiple constraints and forces in this sector. This led to a study with research emphasis on the required capacity for supply-chain participation and the supporting mechanisms that would be required for emerging ostrich farmers to integrate successfully into this supply chain. An exploratory research approach was chosen for the investigation, as no earlier research has been undertaken that could serve as a source of reliable data or reference. A triangulation research methodology using both the quantitative and the qualitative approach was applied. The qualitative research entailed an interpretive approach associated with using grounded theory and content analysis for interpreting data. The comparative case study design was the main qualitative research instrument for the multiple-case studies on emerging ostrich farmers in the Eastern Cape. The study was undertaken at five different sites, namely, the Peddie Ostrich Programme, the Rockhurst Ostrich Programme, the Hlumani Co-operative farm, the Zamukwanda Ostrich farm near Pearston and the Mimosadale Ostrich farm. The quantitative methods were applied to capture all the measurable components and representations of the stakeholders and participants, through interviews, questionnaires and focus group interviews. The quantitative study also included an experimental instrument to measure the capacity of emerging farmer programmes for supply chain participation. It was found that the main driver for three of the case studies pertained to land ownership and that ostrich farming was incidental and only seen as means of activity for income. These three humanitarian farming projects had limited capacity for intensive management requirements for ostrich farming. It was found that the VPN04 bio-security protocols and disease control require a higher level of record keeping for EU markets and is prohibitively expensive for poor rural emerging farmers. The study established that the emerging ostrich farming programmes contributed value to the industry and government rural development in land redistribution programmes, vehicles for reduction of poverty and job creation in the rural areas and by acting as out-grower programmes for commercial farmers. The researcher’s observation is that through strategic interventions the programmes have potential to become commercial players in the industry. The following interventions were recommended from this study: Feasibility study of programmes and review of location selection before initiation. Providing supportive interventions for programme start-ups; Improved selection of programme beneficiaries; Improved structure of emerging farmers’ co-operatives; On-going and appropriate training for emerging ostrich farmers; The role of government and mentors needs to be defined; Reducing feed costs; Establishing programmes linkages to informal markets and facilitating increased self-consumption; Developing new export markets; Alternative finance for the no-income months; Alternative marketing channels to export markets; Representation of emerging farmers in the ostrich-industry leadership structures.