Haematological parameters of the otrich (Struthio camelus)

Haematological reference values according to age and sex, were obtained from healthy ostriches (Struthio camelus) held under intensive conditions. Erythrocytic parameters and indices demonstrated an age-related trend: the packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte count were lowest in ostriches of 1 to 3 months of age. The mean corpuscular volume increased with age until adulthood. No sex-linked differences were demonstrated in regard to the erythrocytic parameters. Leukocyte counts were higher in younger ostriches; changes also being detected in the differential count with age. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was both sex- and age-related. Young birds had the fastest rate of sedimentation and females had a faster rate than males.