Genetic parameters and correlations for behavioural response traits towards humans in South African Black ostriches

ABSTRACT

1. The aim of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlations, first among behavioural responses of juvenile South African Black ostriches towards humans and secondly with slaughter weight and skin traits.

2. Behavioural traits, such as willingness of the birds to approach humans, keeping a distance from the human observer and allowing touch interactions by a human were recorded (n = 1012 birds). In addition, slaughter weight, skin size, scores for nodule size, nodule shape and the presence of hair follicles were recorded.

3. Single- and multi-trait animal model analyses performed on the data using ASReml4 revealed high heritability estimates of 0.44 for allowing touch interactions and 0.48 for both willingness to approach and keeping a distance from the human observer. In addition, significant genetic correlations among behavioural response traits were estimated, ranging from −0.99 between keeping a distance and willingness to approach the human observer, to 0.87 between allowing touch interactions and willingness to approach the human observer.

4. In contrast, genetic correlations of behavioural response traits with most slaughter and skin traits were low, variable, and not significant. The exception was hair follicle score, which appeared to be unfavourably correlated with key behavioural traits.

5. This study suggested that the temperament of ostriches could be improved by selection of birds that demonstrate willingness to associate with humans without compromising slaughter weight or skin traits.

KEYWORDS:

• Genetics
• leather
• human–ostrich interactions
• ostrich behaviour
• Struthio camelus

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the Oudtshoorn Research Farm for the usage of the resource flock and facilities. The assistance of Naomi Oosthuizen, the late Ndabenhle Eugene Mathenwja, and the staff at the Oudtshoorn Research Farm is also greatly appreciated. Funding from the National Research Foundation grant number RTF150529118450 and the Western Cape Agricultural Research Trust is highly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Research Foundation [RTF150529118450].