Ostrich Performance
Indicators
By Alan B. Stables
Iberstruz SL, Spain
April, 2004

Methodology
Define your objectives
Record
Accuracy
Compare
Cull
Redefine your objectives

Objective depends on your farming activity…
Sell eggs
Sell day old chicks
Sell at 3 mths
Sell slaughter birds
Sell breeder birds

Performance Indicators
Production Indicators
Eggs
Chicks
Progeny Meat Yields
Progeny Skin Yields
Financial Indicators

Production Indicators
EGGS
Egg Production
Egg Quality
Egg Weight
Egg Fertility
Egg Hatchability

Production Indicators
CHICKS
Progeny quality to 7 days (% of chicks without defects… twisted toe, curled toe, deformed beak)
Progeny Survival to 30 days (% of chicks hatched that reach 30 days)

Progeny Meat Yields
Kill Out %= carcass wgt/live wgt x100
Dress Out%= deboned meat wgt /
carcass wgt x 100
Deboned Meat Wgt
Fat Pan thickness
Meat Grades (Prime, Choice, Select, Utility, Non-Food)

Progeny Skin Yields
Skin Diamond Size
Skin without Filoplume %

Financial Indicators
Cost per Chick NOT Cost per kg of Feed
Average Slaughter Bird Revenue per Pen

Conclusions
Setting Objectives
Decide on Data you wish to Record
Keep it as Simple as Possible
Implement a System to Capture that Data
Act on Results