Some blood chemical, electrolyte and mineral values from young ostriches

Haematocrit, plasma osmolality and plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were measured in 10 healthy ostrich chicks at 2-weekly intervals between 8 and 26 weeks of age. Plasma sodium, potassium and zinc concentrations were measured in an additional 50 chicks between 2 and 6 months of age. With the exception of calcium, blood constituents did not change significantly with age. Overall, haematocrit was lower and phosphorus and magnesium were slightly higher than previously measured for adults, which is consistent with previous measurements for chicks.