According to Gram Research analysis, baby ostriches fed a high-energy, high-protein starter diet with low fiber gain nearly twice as much weight and have five times higher survival rates compared to those on poor-quality diets. In a 2026 study of 75 ostrich chicks, those receiving an optimal starter feed (11.4 MJ/kg energy, 25.91% protein, 3.89% fiber) gained 341 grams per week with 85% survival, while chicks on a low-quality diet (8 MJ/kg energy, 17.77% protein, 13% fiber) gained only 193 grams per week with just 16% survival.
Researchers studied how different starter diets affect baby ostrich growth and survival during their first four weeks of life. They tested three commercial diets—one made for ostriches, one for turkeys, and one for chickens—along with different hatching conditions. The results were clear: baby ostriches fed a high-energy, high-protein diet with lower fiber grew much better and had much higher survival rates (85%) compared to those on lower-quality diets, where survival dropped below 20%. The timing of hatching also mattered, with chicks hatched naturally on day 40 having the best outcomes. This research shows that proper early nutrition is absolutely critical for raising healthy ostriches.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 75 ostrich chicks found that those fed a high-energy, high-protein starter diet gained 341 grams per week with 85% survival, compared to only 193 grams per week and 16% survival for chicks on a low-quality, high-fiber diet.
Research published in Tropical Animal Health and Production showed that ostrich chicks fed a starter diet with 11.4 megajoules per kilogram of metabolizable energy and 25.91% crude protein had dramatically better growth and survival than those fed diets with lower energy and protein content.
In a controlled trial of 75 baby ostriches, chicks that received naturally unassisted hatching on day 40 showed lower mortality rates than those requiring assistance during hatching on days 41 and 42, though diet type had a much larger effect on survival than hatching timing.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether different types of starter feed and hatching conditions affect how fast baby ostriches grow and how many survive their first month of life.
- Who participated: 75 baby ostrich chicks that were randomly divided into three groups and fed different commercial starter diets (one designed for ostriches, one for turkeys, and one for chickens) mixed with alfalfa hay.
- Key finding: Baby ostriches fed a high-energy, high-protein starter diet with lower fiber gained an average of 341 grams per week and had 85% survival, while those on a low-energy, high-fiber diet gained only 193 grams per week with just 16% survival.
- What it means for you: If you raise ostriches, choosing the right starter feed during the first four weeks is one of the most important decisions you can make for their health and growth. A diet high in energy and protein with low fiber dramatically improves survival rates.
The Research Details
Researchers took 75 baby ostrich chicks and divided them equally into three groups. Each group received a different commercial starter diet: one formulated specifically for ostriches, one for turkeys, and one for chickens. Starting on day 5 of life, all chicks received a mix of 55% starter feed and 45% alfalfa hay that they could eat freely whenever they wanted.
The researchers also tracked when each chick hatched and whether it needed help during hatching. They divided the chicks into three hatching groups: those that hatched naturally on day 40, those that needed assistance on day 41, and those that needed assistance on day 42. Every week for four weeks, the researchers weighed each chick and recorded how many chicks died each day.
They used statistical tests to compare how much weight each group gained each week and to see if there were differences in survival rates between the different diet groups and hatching groups. This approach allowed them to understand which factors—the type of feed or the hatching conditions—had the biggest impact on growth and survival.
This research design is important because it tests real commercial diets that farmers actually use, rather than theoretical diets. By tracking individual chicks from hatching through four weeks and measuring both growth and survival, the researchers could see the complete picture of how nutrition affects early ostrich development. Testing three different diets allowed them to understand what specific nutrients matter most.
The study’s strengths include tracking individual chicks throughout the experiment, using random assignment to diet groups, and measuring both growth and survival outcomes. The researchers used appropriate statistical methods to analyze their data. However, the study was conducted with a relatively small number of chicks (75 total), and it only lasted four weeks, so results may not apply to older ostriches or different environmental conditions. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, which means other experts reviewed the methods and results before publication.
What the Results Show
The type of starter feed had a dramatic effect on how well baby ostriches grew and survived. The best-performing diet contained 11.4 megajoules of metabolizable energy per kilogram, 25.91% crude protein, and 3.89% crude fiber. Chicks fed this diet gained an average of 341 grams per week and had an 85% survival rate—meaning only 15% of the chicks died during the four-week period.
A second diet with similar energy (11.1 megajoules per kilogram) but lower protein (17.9%) and slightly higher fiber (5.08%) performed moderately well. These chicks gained 239.79 grams per week on average and had a 76% survival rate.
The poorest-performing diet had low energy (8 megajoules per kilogram), low protein (17.77%), and very high fiber (13.00%). This diet was disastrous for the chicks: they gained only 193.34 grams per week and had an extremely high death rate, with more than 80% of chicks dying and only 16% surviving the four weeks.
These differences were not small—the best diet produced chicks that grew nearly twice as fast as those on the worst diet, and survival rates ranged from 16% to 85%, a five-fold difference.
The timing of hatching also significantly affected chick survival. Chicks that hatched naturally on day 40 (without needing assistance) had the lowest death rates. Chicks that required assistance during hatching on days 41 and 42 had higher mortality rates, suggesting that natural, unassisted hatching is better for early survival. However, the diet type had a much larger effect on survival than hatching timing did.
This research confirms what nutritionists have long suspected: young birds need high-energy, high-protein diets to grow properly. The finding that a turkey or chicken starter diet performed worse than an ostrich-specific diet suggests that different bird species have different nutritional needs, even though they’re all birds. The extremely poor performance of the high-fiber diet aligns with research showing that young animals have difficulty digesting high-fiber feeds because their digestive systems aren’t fully developed yet.
This study only followed chicks for four weeks, so we don’t know if these diet effects continue as ostriches get older. The study used only 75 chicks total, which is a relatively small number, so results might vary if tested with larger groups. The study was conducted in one location under specific conditions, so results might be different in other climates or environments. Finally, the study didn’t test other factors that might affect growth, such as temperature, light exposure, or disease prevention measures.
The Bottom Line
If you raise ostriches, use a starter feed specifically formulated for ostriches with high metabolizable energy (around 11.4 megajoules per kilogram), high protein (around 26%), and low fiber (around 4%) for the first four weeks of life. This recommendation is based on strong evidence from this controlled study. Avoid using turkey or chicken starter feeds, especially those with very high fiber content, as they result in poor growth and very high death rates. Allow chicks to hatch naturally without assistance when possible.
This research is most relevant to ostrich farmers and anyone raising ostrich chicks commercially. It’s also useful for zoos, wildlife facilities, or educational institutions that raise ostriches. If you raise other types of poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks), this research suggests you should use species-specific starter feeds rather than generic poultry feeds.
You should expect to see differences in chick growth within the first week or two of feeding the proper diet. Survival benefits become clear within the first four weeks, which is the critical period studied in this research. After four weeks, chicks can transition to grower feeds, but the foundation built during these first four weeks is crucial for long-term health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starter feed for baby ostrich chicks?
Use a feed specifically formulated for ostriches with 11.4 megajoules per kilogram of energy, 25.91% crude protein, and 3.89% crude fiber. Research shows this combination produces the fastest growth (341 grams per week) and highest survival rates (85%) in the first four weeks.
Can I use chicken or turkey starter feed for ostrich chicks?
Avoid using chicken or turkey starter feeds for ostriches. A study comparing three commercial diets found that ostrich-specific feed produced much better results than feeds formulated for other bird species, with survival rates ranging from 16% to 85% depending on the feed type.
How much weight should baby ostriches gain each week?
Baby ostriches on an optimal starter diet should gain approximately 341 grams per week during their first four weeks of life. Chicks gaining significantly less than this amount may not be receiving adequate nutrition or may have health problems.
Does it matter if ostrich chicks need help hatching?
Yes, chicks that hatch naturally without assistance have lower mortality rates than those requiring help on days 41 and 42. However, the type of starter feed has a much larger effect on survival than hatching conditions do.
What happens if I feed ostrich chicks a high-fiber diet?
High-fiber diets are extremely harmful to young ostrich chicks. Research shows that a diet with 13% crude fiber resulted in more than 80% mortality and very slow growth, compared to 15% mortality and normal growth on a proper low-fiber diet.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly weight gain in grams for each ostrich chick, comparing actual weight gain to the expected 341 grams per week benchmark for chicks on optimal diet. Record any chick deaths daily and calculate weekly survival percentages.
- Set a reminder to weigh chicks every seven days at the same time of day, and log the weight in your app. Create a checklist to verify your starter feed meets the optimal specifications (11.4 MJ/kg energy, 25.91% protein, 3.89% fiber) before purchasing each batch.
- Create a dashboard showing cumulative weight gain and survival rate compared to the study benchmarks. Set alerts if weekly weight gain drops below 300 grams or if weekly mortality exceeds 5%, which would indicate a problem with feed quality or chick health.
This research applies specifically to ostrich chicks during their first four weeks of life. Results may not apply to older ostriches, different environmental conditions, or other bird species. If you raise ostriches, consult with a veterinarian or poultry nutritionist before making major changes to feeding programs. This article summarizes research findings and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Individual chick health outcomes may vary based on factors not studied here, including disease, environmental stress, and genetic differences.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.