OSTRICH NUTRITION BULLETIN #74
By Daryl Holle
Blue Mountain Feeds, Inc.
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TOPICS For December 5, 2001

1. "Scientific Evidence" or Proven Facts?
   By Daryl Holle, Blue Mountain Ostrich Feeds
                 and Fiona Benson, Blue Mountain International

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"SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE" OR PROVEN FACTS?

Blue Mountain is a little different to many Feed Companies as it is run by producers - those who have had to make their living from the raising of production livestock and understand the importance of "production" performance and how it can impact on the profit margin of the producer. More importantly, they also understand what is required to achieve high levels of production performance, which does not all come out of text books. There are many things text books and "pure science" are unable to quantify. Quantifying some of these unknowns comes from the experienced "eye" of the good stockman observing the responses to certain things on a daily basis that comes from working daily in direct contact with the livestock.

At Blue Mountain, frequently we hear the comment on the need for "scientific proof", "scientific evidence" or "so and so has some good scientific data, where is yours?". This led us to look up the exact definition of "science", as many things that we have seen advocated as "scientific evidence" and/or "scientific proof" has made little sense to us when interpreted into practical Ostrich production applications. A definition of science is:

 "the state of knowing: knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding."

A definition of "scientific method" is:

 "By following principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses."

We would suggest that there are many different methods to collect meaningful data and methods of experimentation. In the case of livestock nutrition, the PROOF of these is the final result achieved on a consistent basis. It then has to be determined if the FINAL results are WHAT is required. When it is 95kgs live weight at 10-12mths, or even as late as 14mths as if often the case, this is NOT the desired result of weight/age that one should be looking for in Ostrich slaughter birds (as an example). Raising birds that will carry a live weight of 120kgs at 9-10 mths of age and checking that the carcasses produced will meet Prime Quality criteria, checking to ensure a high survivability rate of the chicks and that the survivability rate is consistent throughout the season ARE some of the results we should be looking for--and they are very achievable!

When examining the published work on Ostrich, one can see a trend in the industry that is NOT providing the final results required by a profitable Ostrich producer who is trying to raise an Industry Viable bird. As certain needed bird production standards are not met, the questions should be asked "WHY" these standards have not been met and "WHY" are we not searching for clear solutions to correct them. Some examples:

1. When trials set to verify the Gompertz model constructed in 1991 by Du Preez, the production targets for Ostrich were down graded as believed not achievable under practical conditions. The question should have been asked "WHY" was the production performance falling so short? The answer is the feed formulations being formulated for Ostrich fell very short of the "production" requirements for Ostrich, as it is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that Ostrich can keep gaining muscle far longer than has been traditionally experienced on a consistent basis and in far more severe climatic conditions.

Increasingly, we have reported to us the fact of producers who ARE also achieving increased growth rates as many now know that the original growth rate as shown in the 1991 Gompertz model can be achieved and HAS TO BE achieved and even surpassed for a profitable Ostrich production operation.

2. When it was discovered that test Ostriches were not utilizing the protein in the diet, it was assumed that they do not require the protein. The question should be asked "WHY" are they not utilizing the protein? The answer is that the protein source may be wrong and/or sufficient vitamins and minerals were not included in the ration to utilize that protein. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that ostrich can utilize higher levels of protein if the protein is of the correct source with high levels of minerals and vitamins to utilize the protein.

We have witnessed a disturbing trend on the encouragement by some to reduce protein levels even further than advocated a couple years back...particularly in Breeder Bird diets. This is resulting in extremely poor production, low fertility and/or hatchability and high levels of chick mortality. Many producers are reporting increasingly deteriorating production in subsequent seasons. One group of producers acknowledging without a doubt that their production is worse each year.

Blue Mountain will repeat again ... we have PROVEN beyond any doubt that not only can the birds utilize higher levels of protein in their feed rations, but they are also essential for optimum health, production and quality of Ostrich end-products.

3. It is thought by many in the industry that extra weight gains above 95kgs in African Blacks will be only gains of fat. The question should be asked "WHY" is this occurring and where is the diet falling short if only fat is being achieved at that liveweight which leads to the failure of maximizing muscle development for longer growth periods. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that good genetic birds fed the correct diet will continue to gain good muscle mass long after the liveweight of 95kgs.

4. There have been a number of statements made that only younger birds will produce meat of a good red color. The question should be asked "WHY" are the birds not producing meat of a good color at all ages? The answer is nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances or short feeding. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that the meat will consistently be of an even red color throughout at all ages if the diet is correct.

5. As small hens have tended to be better layers it is assumed that size is the reason. The question should be asked "WHY" a higher proportion of larger framed hens ARE poorer layers. The answer is that they need a greater proportion of their diet for body maintenance and therefore the rations are presently falling short of nutritional adequacy. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that hens of all sizes have the same laying ability when a proper diet is fed accordingly - and the productive results depends on their genetics--NOT breed or size.

6. The question should be asked "WHY" genetic influence is usually given as the reason for poor performance. The correct answer is that the proper nutritional diet must be right first before the true genetic influence can be determined. With nutrition of most ostriches around the world still falling very short of what is proven to provide high levels of production performance - there are many ostriches being culled for nutritional deficiencies as a cause of poor performance and not necessarily poor genetic performance. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that it is nearly impossible to select the correct genetic influence unless the proper diet is fed FIRST to allow the true genetic potential of the bird to develop!

Many producers are now beginning to realize that poor nutritional diets can cause "stunted" growth. When visitors view Fiona Benson's birds in South Africa that are on Blue Mountain production performance feed formulations, she receives the following comments:

a. You must have good genetics?
b. These birds are not from Oudtshoorn stock as they do not achieve that size.
c. I have never seen African Blacks so big!

The birds being discussed are all from Oudtshoorn Origin and arrived on the farm initially for contract rearing to 50kgs for return to feedlots for finishing. The supplying farm carried out no genetic selection at all with the breeders running in breeding colonies of 200 plus. This is an indication of the untapped potential of these birds without even beginning to implement a full genetic development program.

7. For many years it has been assumed that Ostriches can only survive in hot, dry conditions. The question was never asked "WHY" are they not thriving in cooler, damper climates. It had never been considered that nutritional deficiencies and imbalanced diets could possibly be the cause. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that Ostriches can experience excellent weight gains and production even in inclement weather conditions if the proper diet is fed and good management practices are observed.

It is worth noting that the Blue Mountain benchmark feeding trial birds ... 3 different batches, experienced sub-zero conditions for several weeks during the winter period and exceptionally heavy rainfall following the winter months. Their feed to weight gain conversion was under 4:1 from hatch to 12 months.

8. When it became clear that Slaughter Ostriches were being presented with many variable liver conditions and colors, most ideas for this cause were that Ostrich are a different species and should not be judged along the same criteria as other livestock livers. The question had not been asked "WHY" are some Ostrich livers so variable in color and what is causing this problem. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that Ostrich livers are no more variable than any other livestock specie. A poorly fed animal will have variable liver colors, a poorly fed Ostrich will have variable liver colors, a properly fed Ostrich will have a medium brown beautiful liver color just like any other animal's liver.

There are a number of producers reporting slaughter birds with "normal" healthy livers, yet we still have processors reporting they are being presented with birds displaying the type of variable liver conditions referenced above. Any bird displaying these problems are inefficient converters of feed to meat and therefore uneconomic to raise. Most all liver problems currently experienced are symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalanced rations.

9. For some time it has been commonly accepted in the Ostrich industry that it is normal for a 1 week old baby Ostrich chick to have a "yellow liver" due to the chick absorbing the yellow yolk sac. But yet many of these "yellow livered" chicks die or never grow well. Instead of the "scientific community" asking "WHY" are baby chick livers "yellow", it was simply assumed that this was a normal condition in baby chicks and the diagnosis for deaths and poor growth was always "no problem found". It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that "yellow livered" baby chicks are NOT normal but rather a strong indication of severe parental malnutrition.

It has now been recently acknowledged by several support specialists in the industry that Blue Mountain's comments in reference to the "yellow liver chick syndrome" is indeed a sign of Breeder Bird Nutritional deficiencies and is NOT normal. It needs to be made clear that the "yellow" referenced in this syndrome is very different to the "tan" seen at hatch, which is normal in avian specie.

10. Regularly the comments are made that in order for the Fat of a Quality carcass to be white fat, it is recommended to eliminate the use of ingredients such as Lucerne and Maize with high levels of Chlorophyll - the reason given all TOO OFTEN for the production of Yellow Fat. While the majority acknowledge that White Fat is ideal and a sign of optimum health and indication of quality meat - too many still do not see the importance of it. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that diet is capable of controlling the fat quantity, fat quality, and fat color. The fat color of a properly fed bird will be Snowy White even when the diet contains high levels of ingredients such as Lucerne, Maize, or Chlorophyll IF the total daily ration is a BALANCED ration AND when the Minerals, Trace Minerals and Vitamins are balanced with the rest of the ingredients in the diet and fed correctly.

Over the last few years, we have seen details of a number of research projects similar to this "fat color" controversy that needs to be interpreted very carefully as sometimes these misinterpretations CAN BE most misleading:

11. We often hear comments on pelleted feed vs forage diets or ground feed. What is important in comparisons is comparing like for like - it is the ration CONTENT that determines the difference rather than whether the ration is pelleted or non pelleted. Blue Mountain did a trial some time ago comparing a pelleted ration vs the ground ration. Both feed formulations being exactly the same. The results were similar with details published on the Blue Mountain ostrich mailing list. At 300 days (10mths) the ground fed birds averaged 288lbs/130kgs at the end of the trial and the pellet fed birds averaged 273lbs/124kgs per bird. The ground fed birds carried a 25% lower feed cost (not counting the on-farm mixing costs). It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that there is little difference in performance between pelleted and non-pelleted feed IF the ration formulations are precisely the same.

12. Some published work on ingredient nutrient values for Ostrich do not provide the effect on performance when the given ingredients are incorporated into rations over an extended period of time. Whilst the findings may be accurate, many of the ingredients recorded are proven to have NO place in a productive ration for livestock- Ostrich are no different in this regard. Caution needs to be taken in making use of them in a ration designed for Ostrich. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that Ostriches perform best over a long period of time with specific ingredient selections of a specific quality origin.

13. A paper was presented at the Scientific conference a couple years ago on a study on the addition of a mineral supplement and the effect on Breeder Bird performance. On questioning by a fellow scientist, it was determined that the levels of the mineral in the diet were not taken into consideration in evaluating the results, nor was any reference made to the importance of this when used with different diets. The supplement was only tested with one ration. This particular mineral works with Vitamin A, Calcium, Phosphorous and Potassium. The knowledgeable nutritionist will have balanced these with extreme care in the ration. A point for consideration here–It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that if an improved response is observed from supplementation of anything to the normal complete diet - then the basic ration will be falling short of nutritional adequacy.

14. The vitamins and mineral content of rations is critical to the manner in which any livestock species gain maximum utilization of the nutrients within any ration. When evaluating any data - the whole ration nutrient values need to be taken into consideration in interpreting the results including the ratio of one nutrient to another. Too little emphasis is placed on this in much of the research undertaken. It is BLUE MOUNTAIN PROVEN that if the Ostrich diet is formulated properly and fed properly, feed additives and "magic" ingredients have very little effect on long term bird performance.

To this day, there continues to be research projects undertaken by some researchers in the industry with no reference to the vitamin and mineral supplementation levels in the test rations being used. When this is done, it is impossible to ascertain the validity of the test performed--or its outcome.

The phrase "scientific evidence" carries with it a ring of professional accuracy. Sometimes this is true–sometimes it is NOT TRUE! The accuracy of the "scientific evidence" is totally dependent on the parameters used and the overall accounting of ALL the inputs that may have effected the results of the data. Only when this is done will the "scientific evidence" become a reward to the Ostrich industry. Blue Mountain Feeds is totally dedicated to "science" which has the dictionary definition:

 "the state of knowing: knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding."

Blue Mountain Feeds has a long history of "evidence" from its many feed trials and industry experiments, but the best "evidence" is found in long-term farmer bird performance as that is where the bottom line HAS to come right. More of our best "evidence" is found in the extremely consistent meat produced by Blue Mountain fed birds and how well the consumer "loves" that quality Ostrich meat with the consistency that is unheard of elsewhere in the industry.

If you are looking for "scientific evidence", Blue Mountain has always been on the cutting edge of new technology and a leader in the Ostrich industry for PROVEN practices and methods concerning Ostrich Nutrition, Ostrich Feeding Management and Ostrich Farm Management. Blue Mountain makes "common sense" out of its "scientific evidence" and continually passes that knowledge along to its customers. It is now becoming most clear that all the things that Blue Mountain has been advocating for nearly 10 years now are quickly becoming the "correct path to follow" for cost effective Ostrich production and a viable Ostrich Industry. We still don't have all the answers and that is why we continue to work daily at finding better solutions, but we have come a long way by developing sound and proven methods to progress the industry. It is time to pay attention to the FACTS and let Blue Mountain PROVEN products help you get productive at your farm.

‘Til Next Time!

Last modified on Monday, May 06, 2002