Road transportation effect on rectal temperature, respiration and heart rates of ostrich ( Struthio camelus) chicks
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: AbStRAct The responses of rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) of ostrich (struthio camelus) chicks during road transportation were investigated using standard recording procedures. The RT and RR of the ostriches increased significantly (P<0.05) from 39.5 ± 0.1 0C and 12.2 ± 2.0 breaths per minute (bpm), respectively, before transportation, to 40.2 ± 0.3 0C and 50.7 ± 9.1 bpm, respectively, following transportation. The pre-transportation HR value of 61.4 ± 1.0 beats per minute did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from the value of 68.5 ± 2.2 beats per minute recorded during the journey. The RT, RR and HR values recorded six hours after the journey were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the corresponding pre-transportation values of the ostriches. The results showed that transportation of ostrich chicks for four hours induced a transient increase in RT and RR values. It is concluded that road transportation of ostrich chicks for four hours apparently has no adverse effects on health and performance of ostrich chicks. Key words: heart rate, ostrich, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, transportation
Authors: Ndazo Salka Minka, Joseph Olusegun Ayo
Institution: Ahmadu Bello University
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W145488556