Authors : Logman Aslan , Musa Genccelep , Abdullah Karasu , Erkan Duz , Ismail Alkan and Bahtiyar Bakir
Abstract: Extremity problems in 120 ostrich chicks were investigated in this study. Fledglings were followed for 1 year and extremity problems were evaluated as congenital or acquired. In the study, congenital lower extremity problems were found in 17.5% of the cases (both extremities extended sideways in 10 cases, 1 extremity extended sideways in 3 cases, one leg extended forward and the other back in 4 cases, big toe retrovert in 2 cases, 5th toe deviated towards underneath of the big toe, totaling to 21 cases) and acquired lower extremity problems in 19.64% of the cases (tibiotarsal luxation in 6 cases, tarsal bone fracture in 1 case, fractures in radius-ulna in 1 case, injuries of the extremities in 9 cases and arthritis in the tarsal joint in 2 cases and in proximal interphalangeal joint in 3 cases, totaling to 22 cases). Extremity problems were found in 43 (35.83%) ostrich chicks out of 120 (congenital in 21 cases and acquired in 22). Of these 43 cases, it was observed that 29 (67.44%) were healed with the treatment applied, whereas, 14 (32.56%) did not heal. It was concluded in the study that the extremity problems causing great economic losses in ostrich husbandry can be minimized with prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Logman Aslan , Musa Genccelep , Abdullah Karasu , Erkan Duz , Ismail Alkan and Bahtiyar Bakir , 2009. Extremity Problems in Ostrich Chicks and Their Treatment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 903-906.