Soybean Meal-Ostrich Diets

A paper is available on the Internet that discusses the use of soybean meal in ostrich diets. In the past, problems have been reported when nutritional results obtained with poultry were applied to ostrich production systems. Researchers at the University of Zimbabwe and Blue Mountain Feeds International overviewed the use of soybean meal in ostrich diets. They conclude that properly processed soybean meal is a good source of amino acids and minerals and can be included in ostrich diets at levels of 25 percent to 30 percent without detrimental effects on growth or development. The authors stress the importance of proper processing to inactivate protein inhibitors and assure adequate mineral intakes. Their experiences have shown that ostrich rations, including reasonable levels of high-grade soybean meal, have been proven to far outperform any ration without soybean meal.

Cooper, Ross G. and Fiona V. Benson. 2004. Soya meal, an important component of ostrich diets. http://www. blue-mountain.net/articles/soymeal.htm.