Ostrich case method: 50 questions

8 a.m. in November. A 3-year-old female ostrich kept in a paddock is barely eating her formulated feed and stands apart from the flock. For about two days her droppings have clearly decreased, and she keeps stretching her neck out long as if swallowing. Last week, while repairing the shelter roof, nails and wire were used in the work. She is still standing steadily.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Assume constipation, give cooking oil, and wait 2–3 days for droppings
2. Suspect foreign-object ingestion, inspect the work area, and request a farm visit the same day
3. Assume she lacks grit and give a large amount of grit to aid digestion
4. Stop hay and give only formulated feed; see a vet if no improvement after a week

AnswerB. Suspect foreign-object ingestion, inspect the work area, and request a farm visit the same day

ExplanationReduced appetite, fewer droppings and neck-stretching are classic signs of proventricular impaction. Ostriches readily swallow shiny objects such as nails and wire, so the period right after repair work is especially suspicious. Left untreated, the proventriculus blocks and the bird dies. Request a vet visit the same day and report the ingestion history and feed contents. Cooking oil or laxatives do nothing for an obstruction and delay care. Large amounts of grit can themselves impact the proventriculus, and stopping hay does not clear the blockage.

IssuesThere was no habit of collecting nails and wire from the paddock after work, and little understanding of the ostrich's tendency to swallow foreign objects. Droppings were not recorded daily, so the problem was noticed two days late.

ImprovementAfter repairs or construction, pick up metal fragments with a magnetic wand and always collect plastic and string. Record feed intake and droppings daily and set a rule to see a vet after one day without eating or a drop in droppings. Restrict access to work areas.

A July evening. Five 6-week-old chicks are being raised. They are gaining weight well, in fact larger than other keepers' chicks. One chick's right leg is twisting outward; it wobbles with every step and sits down more and more. The feed is a chicken finisher ration used as a substitute, given generously. The floor is concrete with a thin layer of sand.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Splint the leg and wait about a month for it to correct itself
2. Assume lack of exercise and have it run for long periods in the large paddock with the other chicks
3. Increase the feed further to strengthen the bones and give vitamins on your own judgment
4. Isolate it in a pen with non-slip flooring, record feed type and amount, and see a vet the same day

AnswerD. Isolate it in a pen with non-slip flooring, record feed type and amount, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationOstrich chicks grow fast; fattening them rapidly on high-protein chicken feed means bone growth cannot keep up with muscle and body weight, causing leg rotation and deformity. Caught early, a feed change and management can halt progression, but left alone it becomes irreversible. First restrict exercise on non-slip flooring, record the feed, and see a vet the same day. An amateur splint impairs blood flow and worsens the condition. Long runs increase strain on the leg, and more feed or self-prescribed supplements aggravate the cause.

IssuesThe root cause was rapid growth on chicken feed instead of ostrich-specific feed, under the misconception that bigger is better. The hard floor with only thin sand also strained the legs.

ImprovementUse ostrich-specific feed for chicks and control the amount to avoid excessive growth. Lay sand thickly so the floor is not slippery. Observe the gait daily and see a vet the day any twisting or sitting is seen. Keep growth records and consult if growth is faster than standard.

A May morning. Chicks hatched in a home incubator are five days old. One moves less than the others, its abdomen is swollen, and the area around the navel is moist and red. It sits fluffed up and will not peck at feed. The post-hatch floor newspaper had not been changed for several days. The other chicks are active.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Squeeze the navel to express the contents, apply an over-the-counter antiseptic, and keep warm
2. Separate it from the other chicks, keep it warm, replace the floor with clean material, and see a vet the same day
3. Assume the swollen belly is normal yolk absorption and wait a few days
4. Assume malnutrition and force feed into its mouth

AnswerB. Separate it from the other chicks, keep it warm, replace the floor with clean material, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationIn a newly hatched chick, abdominal swelling, a moist red navel and lethargy are signs of yolk sac infection (omphalitis); once bacteria spread from the yolk sac through the body, death is rapid. Dirty flooring is a source of infection. Isolate it to prevent spread to the other chicks, keep it warm on clean flooring, and see a vet the same day. Squeezing the navel spreads infection; the need for antibiotics is for the vet to decide. Yolk absorption is normal, but a moist, red navel is not, and waiting days is too late. Force feeding risks aspiration.

IssuesThe post-hatch floor was not changed for several days, so hygiene until navel closure was inadequate. The keeper did not know the early signs of yolk sac infection and risked mistaking the swollen belly for normal.

ImprovementDisinfect and change the incubator and post-hatch flooring daily and keep it clean until the navel has fully closed. For the first week after hatching, check each chick's navel and abdomen daily and see a vet the same day if anything is abnormal. Also keep records of incubator temperature and humidity.

1 p.m. in August, 34°C. To move him to another paddock, three people chased a 2-year-old male for about 20 minutes, finally cornered him, pinned his wings and carried him. Released in the new paddock, his legs tremble finely, he sits down and cannot get up. He is open-mouth breathing rapidly, and urine passed a little later was dark reddish-brown.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Force him up and make him walk to loosen the muscles and wait for recovery
2. Assume he is just tired, leave him in direct sun and wait until evening
3. Stop chasing, let him rest quietly in the shade with water nearby, and request a farm visit immediately
4. Pour large amounts of cold water over his body to cool him rapidly

AnswerC. Stop chasing, let him rest quietly in the shade with water nearby, and request a farm visit immediately

ExplanationCapture myopathy, in which muscle breaks down after prolonged chasing and restraint in heat, is strongly suspected. Leg tremors, inability to stand and reddish-brown urine (muscle breakdown products in the urine) are typical, and this is an emergency that leads to kidney failure and death. Stop all further stress, rest him quietly in the shade with water within reach, and request a vet visit immediately. Forcing him up worsens muscle damage. Leaving him in direct sun adds heatstroke and is fatal. Sudden cold water constricts blood vessels and causes shock; if cooling, do it gradually in the shade.

IssuesThe plan itself, chasing for 20 minutes in the midday heat at 34°C, was wrong, and the keepers did not know that ostriches readily break down muscle under excitement and heat. No low-stress capture method such as a hood or a guide chute had been prepared.

ImprovementMove birds in the cool of early morning or evening, guiding them with a chute and portable panels instead of chasing. Use a hood at capture and keep it brief. Observe the bird for 30 minutes after handling and have a plan to see a vet at once if trembling or sitting occurs.

An October afternoon. Four birds share one paddock. A 1-year-old female has visibly lost weight over about a month, her feathers are ruffled, and she occasionally passes soft droppings. When her mouth was opened, the lining looked pale. The paddock gets a lot of rain and droppings are removed about once a week. No fecal exams or deworming have ever been done.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Collect fresh droppings, see a vet the same day, and discuss a fecal exam and deworming
2. Assume the weight loss is from too little feed and double the formulated feed
3. Give a pet-store chicken dewormer to all birds on your own judgment
4. Assume the hay is poor quality, change it, and watch for a month

AnswerA. Collect fresh droppings, see a vet the same day, and discuss a fecal exam and deworming

ExplanationIn group housing on wet ground with infrequent removal of droppings, parasites such as nematodes spread easily. Weight loss, ruffled feathers, soft droppings and pale mouth lining (anemia) are a typical combination indicating parasitism, and untreated it leads to death from debilitation. Take fresh droppings to a vet the same day and have deworming based on the test results. Extra feed is not absorbed while parasites are present. Self-dosing with a dewormer meant for another species is easy to get wrong and dangerous, and changing hay alone does not address the cause.

IssuesThere was no routine of fecal exams or regular deworming, and little awareness of the hygiene risks of group housing. Weekly removal of droppings let parasite eggs build up in the wet soil, and observation was so loose that it took a month to notice the weight loss.

ImprovementRemove droppings daily and maintain well-drained sandy ground. Have a fecal exam every six months and deworm on the vet's instructions. Record weight and condition monthly and check feathers and droppings daily. Test new birds before introducing them to the flock.

A June morning. Six 3-day-old chicks are in the brooder room. The temperature is stable at 32°C, but the chicks barely approach the finely crushed feed in the dish, and even when they peck they do not swallow. They all walk around and chirp energetically, but their weight is slightly below hatch weight. There are no older chicks, and this is the keeper's first time brooding.

Which is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Assume they will eat when hungry; leave only feed in the dish and leave them alone
2. Force feed all chicks immediately, pushing feed in three times a day
3. Show them pecking by tapping the feed with a finger, mix in chopped greens to teach feeding, and record weight daily
4. Assume the feed is unsuitable and switch immediately to chicken feed

AnswerC. Show them pecking by tapping the feed with a finger, mix in chopped greens to teach feeding, and record weight daily

ExplanationFor the first few days after hatching, ostrich chicks live partly off the yolk while learning to feed, and without a parent or older chicks they often fail to recognize food. They need to be taught: tap the feed with a finger, and draw interest with chopped green leaves or small shiny feed particles. Weight loss from hatch weight is normal for a few days, but record it daily and see a vet if it keeps falling or energy drops. Left alone, chicks starve or weaken. Force feeding risks aspiration and proventricular damage and is a last resort. Switching to chicken feed causes leg deformities.

IssuesOn a first brooding, the keeper did not know that ostrich chicks must learn to feed. No older chick had been arranged as a model, and weights were not recorded, so the length of time without eating was unknown.

ImprovementBefore hatching, learn how to teach chicks to feed, and if possible house a chick a few days older with them as a model. Encourage feeding with green leaves and fine feed, and weigh at the same time every day. Consult a vet if weight has not increased by 4–5 days after hatching.

A March night. In a brooder room with eight 3-week-old chicks, two are stretching their necks, breathing open-mouthed with a wheezing sound. Their appetite has also dropped. The floor bedding is old straw, part of it damp and smelling moldy. A window is open slightly for ventilation but the heater keeps the room warm.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Remove the damp bedding, improve ventilation, isolate the two chicks with labored breathing, and see a vet the same day
2. Assume cold is the cause, close the window, and turn the heater up
3. Dissolve a small amount of human cold medicine in water and give it to all chicks
4. Assume they are just chirping and watch until morning

AnswerA. Remove the damp bedding, improve ventilation, isolate the two chicks with labored breathing, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationDamp, moldy straw is a source of fungal (Aspergillus) spores; when chicks inhale them, the lungs and air sacs become infected, causing open-mouth breathing and respiratory noise. It can kill within days, so isolate the affected chicks, remove the offending bedding at once, improve ventilation, and see a vet the same day. Closing the window and turning up the heat traps moisture and promotes mold. Human medicine is ineffective and potentially harmful. Breathing difficulty cannot be ignored even at night; waiting until morning may be too late.

IssuesBesides using straw as bedding, it was left damp, creating a breeding ground for mold. The keeper did not know that ostrich chicks are prone to fungal respiratory infection, and ventilation and dryness were poorly managed.

ImprovementUse dry sand or fine wood shavings, not straw, and replace it immediately when wet. Keep the brooder room ventilated and dry as well as warm, and place a hygrometer. Replace all bedding at any moldy smell. Treat open-mouth breathing or respiratory noise as a same-day vet criterion.

An April midday. A 5-year-old female ostrich keeps closing her left eye, and the feathers around it are wet with tears. The eyelid is slightly swollen and red, and when approached she rubs her neck against the fence. The paddock has had strong winds with blowing dry sand for days. Appetite and gait are normal.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Apply human eye drops and watch
2. Gently wash around the eye with clean water, watch that she does not rub it, and see a vet the same day
3. Pry the eyelid open with your fingers to remove sand and drip antiseptic directly into the eye
4. Ignore it because only one eye is affected; see a vet if both eyes become involved

AnswerB. Gently wash around the eye with clean water, watch that she does not rub it, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationClosing one eye, tearing and a swollen eyelid indicate conjunctivitis or a corneal injury; in a sandy, windy environment, corneal damage from foreign material is common. Ostrich eyes are large and easily injured, and untreated corneal ulcers can lead to blindness. Wash the surroundings with clean water and see a vet the same day for an eye exam. Human eye drops have unsuitable ingredients, and steroid drops worsen corneal wounds. Prying the eyelid open and dripping antiseptic damages the cornea. Ignoring it because it is one eye is dangerous; symptoms often start on one side.

IssuesThere was no measure to protect the eyes during sandstorms, and the paddock had no windbreak. Eye problems tend to be taken lightly, with a latent risk of resorting to human medicine or self-treatment.

ImprovementOn windy days shut the birds in a shelter with a windbreak, and water the sand to reduce blowing. Check both eyes daily for openness and discharge. Because eye problems can lead to blindness, set a rule to see a vet the same day even for one eye, and never use human eye drops.

A February morning. A 7-year-old male ostrich walks favoring his right leg and spends less time standing. On the underside of the foot the sole skin is thick and hard, with the center red, swollen and hot. The shelter floor is concrete wet with rain, and the paddock is clay and muddy. For about a month he has spent long periods confined indoors.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Cut away the hardened part with a knife and apply an over-the-counter ointment
2. Move him to a dry, thick sand floor, keep the sole clean, and have a vet examine him on a farm visit the same day
3. Assume walking will improve circulation and run him in the muddy paddock
4. Mix human painkillers into the feed for pain relief

AnswerB. Move him to a dry, thick sand floor, keep the sole clean, and have a vet examine him on a farm visit the same day

ExplanationStanding for long periods on a wet, hard floor damages the sole skin, and bacterial infection causes pododermatitis (bumblefoot) with swelling and heat. With over 100 kg constantly bearing on the soles, it progresses quickly, and once infection reaches bone or tendon the bird cannot stand. First move him to a dry, thick sand floor to reduce the load and have a vet visit the same day. Cutting it yourself spreads infection. Running in mud worsens the wound. Human painkillers are harmful to birds and only mask pain without treating anything.

IssuesWet concrete and clay mud are the worst possible environment for the soles; he was confined indoors for long periods in winter and the soles were never checked. There was little awareness that his heavy weight makes sole problems severe quickly.

ImprovementLay thick dry sand on the shelter floor and replace it when wet. Improve paddock drainage and fill muddy areas with gravel or sand. Check the soles weekly and see a vet as soon as redness or hardening appears. Even in winter, let him walk on dry ground during the day.

A September evening. Several watery droppings mixed with dark red blood are lying in the paddock. A 4-year-old male stands listless with his neck lowered and has barely eaten his feed. The day before, a large amount of freshly cut grass and leftover old formulated feed were given all at once. The other birds appear normal so far but ate the same feed.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Isolate the listless bird, collect the leftover feed, and see a vet the same day with photos of the droppings and the feed
2. Give a probiotic drink to settle the gut and watch the droppings for about 3 days
3. Fast him to rest the gut and withhold water until the bloody droppings stop
4. Assume the grass did not agree with him, stop the grass, and keep giving only the formulated feed

AnswerA. Isolate the listless bird, collect the leftover feed, and see a vet the same day with photos of the droppings and the feed

ExplanationBloody watery droppings with loss of appetite indicate bacterial enteritis (such as Clostridium) or indigestion from a sudden feed change; in ostriches, dehydration and debilitation progress rapidly and can be fatal. Isolate the affected bird, collect the suspect feed, and see a vet the same day with photos of the droppings. Other birds that ate the same feed also need watching. A probiotic drink is not treatment and a 3-day delay is dangerous. Fasting and withholding water worsen dehydration; an ostrich must never be without water. Continuing the old feed leaves the cause in place.

IssuesGiving a large amount of grass and old feed at once meant sudden feed changes and no quality control. The basics of switching feed gradually and recognizing bloody droppings as an emergency sign were lacking.

ImprovementChange feed gradually over a week or more, and do not give old feed or freshly cut grass. Store feed in a dry place and discard any that is moldy or discolored. Check the color and form of droppings daily and set a rule to see a vet the same day for bloody or watery droppings.

A May morning in laying season. A 6-year-old female is crouched on the sandy ground at her usual laying site and does not get up when called. Until yesterday she laid an egg every other day, but there is no egg this morning. Her legs are not deformed and there is no injury, but they are weak and she wobbles. Her feed is the same maintenance ration as the male, with no calcium supplementation.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Assume she is egg-bound and press hard on the abdomen to push the egg out
2. Assume she is just resting before laying and leave her until the next day
3. Avoid stressing her, leave water nearby in the shade, and request a farm visit the same day with her laying records and feed details
4. Feed her large amounts of crushed eggshell and wait for her to recover on her own

AnswerC. Avoid stressing her, leave water nearby in the shade, and request a farm visit the same day with her laying records and feed details

ExplanationA laying female produces large eggs in succession and uses up calcium rapidly; on a maintenance ration alone, low calcium can cause weakness or egg retention. A change in laying rhythm, difficulty standing and leg weakness are high-urgency signs, and identifying the cause requires a vet's exam and tests. Keep her undisturbed in the shade and request a farm visit the same day with laying records and feed details. Pressing on the abdomen damages the oviduct and organs. Waiting until the next day lets her weaken further. A large dose of eggshell works too slowly and may cause proventricular impaction.

IssuesA laying female was kept on a maintenance ration with no breeding-season nutrition management. Laying records existed, but the keeper lacked the knowledge to link a change in rhythm to her condition.

ImprovementSwitch breeding females to a calcium-fortified breeder ration under guidance from a vet or specialist. Record laying dates, egg condition and weight, and consult as soon as the laying rhythm is disrupted. Treat sitting down as abnormal even in laying season and set a same-day vet rule.

6 a.m. in January, 2°C. A 25-year-old male ostrich sits on the shelter floor, bracing his legs repeatedly to rise, and finally stands after several minutes. His first steps are awkward, but after walking a while he moves nearly normally. His appetite is unchanged. The floor is concrete with thin sand, and the shelter is drafty.

Which is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Accept it as old age and keep him as before without doing anything
2. Deepen the sand, block the drafts, record how he rises, and see a vet within a few days for a joint evaluation
3. Mix human joint supplements into his feed every day
4. Assume inactivity will make it worse and drive him to run in the paddock first thing each morning

AnswerB. Deepen the sand, block the drafts, record how he rises, and see a vet within a few days for a joint evaluation

ExplanationAn elderly ostrich has carried over 100 kg on two legs for years, and arthritis makes rising on cold mornings difficult. If he eats and improves after walking, it is not urgent, but if he falls and cannot get up, capture myopathy or pressure sores can be life-threatening. Reduce joint strain with thick sand, block drafts to keep him warm, and see a vet within a few days with records for a joint evaluation. Left alone it gradually worsens, and human supplements have unknown efficacy and safety. Driving him to run risks falls and fractures.

IssuesNo flooring or warmth adjustments were made for an elderly bird; the hard concrete floor and drafts increased joint strain. Dismissing age-related changes as unavoidable leads to serious accidents such as falls and inability to stand.

ImprovementProvide a thick sand floor and windbreak for elderly birds, and limit cold in the shelter in winter. Record how long he takes to stand each morning and see a vet if it lengthens. Remove steps and mud from the paddock and make morning rounds earlier so a fall is noticed quickly.

8 p.m. in August. Startled by the sound of a nearby fireworks display, a 3-year-old male ran full speed across the paddock and hit the wire-mesh fence head-on. He stands near the fence with his neck hanging low; the skin at the base of the neck is torn and bleeding. He is standing but wobbly, and his neck moves awkwardly. The other two birds are still running around in agitation.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Rush up from the front, hold the neck, and examine the wound
2. Approach slowly from the side, hood him to calm him, press the wound with a clean cloth, and request a night farm visit
3. Assume the bleeding will stop on its own and watch him in the shelter until morning
4. Catch the other two agitated birds first and shut them in the shelter

AnswerB. Approach slowly from the side, hood him to calm him, press the wound with a clean cloth, and request a night farm visit

ExplanationA fence collision can involve a neck fracture or spinal cord injury, and awkward neck movement is a dangerous sign. Approaching an agitated bird from the front invites a serious forward kick, so approach slowly from the side, block his vision with a hood to calm him, press the wound with a clean cloth, and request a night vet visit. Holding the neck worsens the injury and puts you at high risk of being kicked. Leaving bleeding and a neck abnormality until morning is dangerous. Catching the other birds excites them further and invites secondary accidents. Quieting the surroundings and reducing stimulation comes first.

IssuesOn a day when loud noise was predictable, no advance measures such as shutting in or soundproofing were taken. The wire fence was hard to see in the dark and the corners were untreated. The hood and bleeding-control supplies were not kept where they could be used immediately in an emergency.

ImprovementKnow the dates of fireworks and festivals, shut the birds in the shelter by evening, and darken and soundproof it. Board the fence in a visible color and block corners diagonally to prevent collisions. Keep a hood, clean cloths and a headlamp on hand, and arrange a vet who can visit at night.

A June morning after rain. A 4-year-old female sits motionless in the paddock with her left shin bent at an unnatural angle. The leg is beginning to swell, and she stretches her neck, alert to her surroundings. In one corner of the paddock a drainage ditch had been dug and was hidden by mud. The keeper is alone but could gather 2–3 neighbors.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Have several people pull the leg straight and splint it with a board
2. Drive her up to see whether she can walk
3. Keep your distance and avoid stressing her, contact the vet immediately and wait for the visit, hooding her if instructed
4. Leave her in the paddock a few days to stand on her own; see a vet if she cannot

AnswerC. Keep your distance and avoid stressing her, contact the vet immediately and wait for the visit, hooding her if instructed

ExplanationA leg bent unnaturally with swelling is almost certainly fractured; a fracture in a leg supporting over 100 kg is extremely hard to treat, and only a vet can decide on treatment. An amateur pulling a fractured leg damages vessels and nerves, and bone fragments can pierce the skin. Driving her up worsens the fracture and invites capture myopathy. First avoid stress and keep her still, contact the vet immediately, and prepare for the visit, such as hooding her on instruction. Leaving her for days means necrosis or infection and loss of the bird.

IssuesThe direct cause was a drainage ditch left hidden by mud, and the paddock was not checked for hazards after rain. There was little awareness of how serious a fracture is in a large ostrich, and no emergency contact system.

ImprovementFill or fence off ditches and holes, and always inspect the paddock after rain before letting birds out. Share with family and helpers the procedure of keeping away from a fractured bird and following the vet's instructions. Secure several contacts for vets who handle large animals and plan how a farm visit will be arranged.

A March afternoon. Two males entering the breeding season were kept in the same paddock and fought violently, kicking and chasing. One male is bleeding from the base of a wing; the feathers are stained red and the wing droops. The other male is still agitated and keeps approaching. The injured male is standing, but the bleeding increases every time he moves the wing.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Separate the two birds into different paddocks at once, calm the injured male with a hood, press the wound with a clean cloth, and see a vet
2. Assume the bleeding will stop on its own and leave them together until the fighting subsides
3. Pull out the bleeding wing feathers at the root to stop the bleeding
4. Hit the injured male to drive him away from the other

AnswerA. Separate the two birds into different paddocks at once, calm the injured male with a hood, press the wound with a clean cloth, and see a vet

ExplanationIn the breeding season, males fight fiercely over territory and can inflict fatal injuries if left together. First physically separate them to stop further harm, then approach the injured male from the side, calm him with a hood, apply pressure with a clean cloth for at least 5 minutes, and see a vet. Deep lacerations or bleeding that will not stop may need suturing. Left together, the fighting continues and the bleeding worsens. Pulling feathers causes more bleeding from the follicles and the pain makes him thrash. Hitting excites him and risks a kick; it is the thing most to avoid when handling ostriches.

IssuesThe root cause was keeping two breeding-season males in one paddock without anticipating fighting. No spare pen for emergency separation and no hood for safely handling an injured bird had been prepared.

ImprovementBefore the breeding season begins, move males to separate paddocks out of sight of each other. Base the flock on one male with several females. Keep a spare separation pen, a hood and cloths for bleeding control, and set a rule: press for at least 5 minutes, and see a vet if it does not stop.

An April midday. Newly hatched chicks are being raised in a cardboard box lined with newspaper. One lies on its belly with both legs splayed out to the sides and cannot stand even when it flails. The other chicks walk over it. The newspaper is slick, and the box is so cramped the chicks bump into each other. The keeper has only brooded chickens before.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Force the legs together by hand, tie them with string, and put it back in the box
2. Assume it will stand eventually and watch it with the other chicks for a few days
3. Move it alone to a pen with non-slip flooring, do not force the legs back, and see a vet the same day
4. Repeatedly stand it up and make it walk to strengthen the legs

AnswerC. Move it alone to a pen with non-slip flooring, do not force the legs back, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationRaising newly hatched chicks on a slippery surface like newspaper readily causes splay leg, where the legs spread sideways and the chick cannot stand. Caught early, non-slip flooring and proper correction allow recovery, but an amateur tying the legs can impair circulation or dislocate the joints, and left alone it becomes irreversible within days. It is also at risk of being trampled, so move it alone to non-slip flooring and see a vet the same day for guidance on correction. Forcing it to stand and walk damages the joints. Ostrich chicks are heavier than chickens, so leg problems become severe quickly.

IssuesThe cause was using a chicken-style setup, a cardboard box and newspaper, for ostrich chicks; the slippery floor and overcrowding led to splay leg. The keeper did not understand the weight and leg weakness of ostrich chicks.

ImprovementFrom hatching, use non-slip flooring such as sand or textured mats, and provide enough space that chicks do not collide. Observe leg spread and gait daily and see a vet the same day anything is abnormal. Learn ostrich-specific brooding methods in advance.

A September morning. To clean the water trough, a new worker approached a 4-year-old male from the front. Right after the male raised his neck high and spread his wings, a forward kick struck the worker in the abdomen, throwing him several meters to the ground. The worker is conscious but groans clutching his abdomen and cannot stand. The male is still agitated and pacing nearby.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Get the worker up right away, walk him out of the paddock, and let him rest for a while to see
2. Have someone else draw the male away, do not move the worker, call an ambulance, and have him seen in the emergency room for suspected internal injury
3. Hit the male to drive him off and let the worker sit in the paddock until the pain passes
4. Give the worker over-the-counter painkillers and watch until the next day

AnswerB. Have someone else draw the male away, do not move the worker, call an ambulance, and have him seen in the emergency room for suspected internal injury

ExplanationAn ostrich's forward kick, backed by over 100 kg and a sharp claw, can kill a person; a kick to the abdomen can rupture the liver or spleen or injure the bowel. Even if conscious, internal bleeding progresses with time, so first have another person distract the male and get safe distance, do not move the worker, call an ambulance, and make sure he is seen in the emergency room. Walking him or letting him sit and wait delays recognition of internal bleeding and can cost his life. Hitting the male excites him further and invites more harm. Painkillers mask symptoms and delay diagnosis.

IssuesThe newcomer had not been given the most basic safety training: never stand in front, and back off when a male shows threat signals. There was no two-person rule for work, no escape route, and no first-aid procedure for human injury.

ImprovementEnforce safety rules for all workers: never stand in front, and leave immediately if a bird spreads its wings and raises its neck; prohibit working alone in a pen with a male. Clean troughs only after moving the bird to another pen. Post the criteria and contacts for calling an ambulance when a person is injured.

A July afternoon. A visiting elementary school child reached a hand through the fence toward a 3-year-old female ostrich. The ostrich reacted to the glint of the child's glasses and pecked the face; the skin above the eye split and bled. The glasses are bent, and the child is crying and holding one eye. It is not visible whether the eye itself is injured. The parent is frantically trying to open the child's eye.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Press the wound with clean gauze to stop the bleeding, keep the eye untouched, and have the child seen by an ophthalmologist that day
2. Pour antiseptic directly into the eye to wash it, apply a bandage, and send them home
3. Force the eye open to check for injury and send them home if it looks fine
4. Wait until the crying stops; if the bleeding stops, decide no doctor is needed

AnswerA. Press the wound with clean gauze to stop the bleeding, keep the eye untouched, and have the child seen by an ophthalmologist that day

ExplanationOstriches reflexively peck at shiny or moving objects, and one strike can split the skin around the eye or damage the eyeball itself. First press the wound with clean gauze to control bleeding, do not rub or force the eye open, and have the child seen by an ophthalmologist that day in case of eye injury. Antiseptic in the eye damages the cornea. Forcing it open widens the wound. Even if bleeding stops, damage inside the eye or to the retina cannot be seen, so the visit must not be skipped.

IssuesThe layout let visitors bring hands and faces close through the fence, and there was no explanation or signage about the ostrich's habit of pecking shiny objects. Supervision of children and first-aid supplies for human injury were lacking.

ImprovementInstall a double fence in the viewing area to keep a distance the ostrich cannot reach. Post signs not to bring shiny items such as glasses or jewelry close, and give an explanation at visits. Keep gauze and clean water on hand, and make an ophthalmologist visit mandatory for any injury around the eye.

An October evening. A 3-year-old female leaves a trail of blood on the ground with every step in the paddock. The sole shows a deep cut near the base of the large claw, still oozing blood. In a corner of the paddock, shards of a broken glass bottle discarded by the previous owner were found buried. She can still walk but favors the leg.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pick up the shards at once, calm her with a hood, press the wound with a clean cloth, and see a vet the same day, including a check for remaining fragments
2. Drive her around the paddock to make her run and stop the bleeding
3. Wrap the leg tightly in a bandage to stop bleeding and leave it for a week
4. Judge the wound small, leave her in the paddock, and check the next day

AnswerA. Pick up the shards at once, calm her with a hood, press the wound with a clean cloth, and see a vet the same day, including a check for remaining fragments

ExplanationThe sole bears constant weight so wounds heal poorly, and remaining glass leads to infection or pododermatitis and difficulty walking. First pick up the remaining shards, calm her with a hood, press the wound with a clean cloth for at least 5 minutes, and see a vet the same day to check for fragments and the need for suturing. Running increases bleeding and raises the risk of capture myopathy. A tight bandage left for a week cuts off circulation and causes necrosis. Sole wounds that look small are often deep, and leaving it until the next day lets infection advance.

IssuesWhen the site was taken over, the paddock soil was not checked for buried hazards. The keeper did not know how quickly sole wounds in ostriches become serious, and had no procedure for what to do on finding a blood trail.

ImprovementWhen using a new paddock, dig over the soil to remove fragments and wire, and patrol daily thereafter. Keep a hood, clean cloths and bleeding-control supplies near the paddock. Check the soles weekly and see a vet the same day for bleeding or swelling.

A May morning. A 2-year-old male, excited by the male in the next pen, threw himself at a 1.5 m fence trying to get over and fell. Since then his left wing droops to the ground and he will not lift it. There is swelling in the middle of the wing, and he shakes his neck and resists when touched. No bleeding is seen, and his gait is normal.

Which is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Bind the wing tightly to the body with cloth and leave it for two weeks
2. Assume a flightless bird's wing is unimportant and leave it to heal on its own
3. Move the wing to find where it hurts, and judge it fine if he does not react
4. Do not touch the wing, move him to a pen alone to avoid stress, and request a farm visit the same day to check for a fracture

AnswerD. Do not touch the wing, move him to a pen alone to avoid stress, and request a farm visit the same day to check for a fracture

ExplanationA drooping, swollen wing that the bird resists having touched indicates a wing fracture or dislocation. Ostriches do not fly, but the wings are used for balance when running, for thermoregulation and for courtship; an untreated fracture can become open, infected or malunited, leaving a lifelong disability. Avoid stress, move him to a pen alone, and have a vet diagnose it on a visit the same day. Tight binding by an amateur impairs circulation and shifts the bone. Moving the wing to check worsens a fracture and risks a kick. Leaving it prolongs pain and infection.

IssuesAdjacent pens let the males see each other, and the low 1.5 m fence invited an attempt to jump it. Although the male's agitation had been noticed, the pen layout was not reviewed.

ImprovementMake fences at least 2 m high and keep males out of each other's sight with screens or distance. When a bird is agitated, empty the neighboring pen until it calms. Treat a drooping or swollen wing as a same-day vet case, and keep a hood and spare pen ready so it can be moved without stress.

A November midday. Old barbed wire remained along the boundary of a rented pasture. A 4-year-old female stretched her neck to eat grass beyond the boundary, was startled, and the skin of her neck caught on the barbed wire and tore open. About 10 cm of skin is peeled back; bleeding is light but flesh is exposed. She is agitated and running around.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Spray an over-the-counter antiseptic on the wound and tape the peeled skin back together
2. Wait for her to calm down, then hood her, rinse the wound with clean water, and see a vet the same day for suturing
3. Leave it because bleeding is light and wait for a scab to form
4. Have several people chase and catch her to examine the wound

AnswerB. Wait for her to calm down, then hood her, rinse the wound with clean water, and see a vet the same day for suturing

ExplanationA barbed-wire laceration peels back a large area of skin, and without suturing it becomes infected and the skin dies. Chasing an agitated bird widens the wound and invites capture myopathy or fence collisions, so first quiet the surroundings and wait for her to calm, hood her from the side, rinse with clean water, and see a vet the same day for suturing. Spraying antiseptic damages tissue, and tape will not close a large laceration. Even with light bleeding, exposed flesh is prone to infection and must not be left.

IssuesAlthough barbed wire is strictly prohibited for ostriches, the rented land's boundary was used as it was. Reaching through for grass outside the fence was not anticipated, and the boundary was not safety-checked.

ImprovementRemove the barbed wire or erect a smooth inner fence at least 2 m high as a double barrier out of reach. Inspect paddock fences monthly and remove protrusions and nails. Adopt the rule that lacerations need suturing the same day, and keep a hood and clean water for rinsing on hand.

A December evening. While unloading feed with the paddock gate left open, a 3-year-old male slipped through the gap and ran off toward the public road at nearly 60 km/h. The area is residential, and 100 m away is a busy prefectural road. The keeper is alone and has a car; several neighbors have noticed the commotion and gathered.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Chase him at full speed by car and try to block his path and catch him
2. Run after him shouting together with the people who gathered
3. Do not chase; immediately notify the police and municipal office, ask that traffic on the prefectural road be warned, and prepare to corral him quietly with several people
4. Put feed in the paddock, leave the gate open, and wait several hours for him to return on his own

AnswerC. Do not chase; immediately notify the police and municipal office, ask that traffic on the prefectural road be warned, and prepare to corral him quietly with several people

ExplanationAn escaped ostrich runs faster the more it is chased, and besides dying in a traffic accident it can cause a serious crash involving drivers. Do not chase; notify the police and municipal office first to have traffic on the prefectural road stopped and secure human safety. Then, with several people keeping a quiet distance, gradually corral him with portable panels or boards. Chasing by car or shouting panics the bird and causes collisions with fences or cars. Waiting for him to return for feed is unrecoverable if he reaches the road in the meantime.

IssuesWork was done with the gate open and there was no double gate; no contacts or corralling procedure had been set for an escape. There was also little awareness of the social responsibility that an escaped ostrich can cause human injury.

ImprovementFit a double gate at the delivery entrance and never work with the gate open. Make it procedure not to chase an escapee, to notify the police, municipal office and vet, and to ask neighbors for help. Keep portable panels, boards and a hood on hand and review the corralling procedure with helpers once a year.

An April morning. On paddock rounds, a 2-year-old female is found with her neck through a gap between the fence rails, unable to pull it out; she has struggled and the skin on her neck is scraped. She apparently tried to eat grass beyond the fence. She twists her body violently at times and kicks the ground. The keeper is alone; tools are in the shed.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Grab the neck and pull it out of the gap by force
2. Cover her head with a cloth to calm her, remove a rail to widen the gap and free her, check the neck, and see a vet the same day
3. Keep away because she is thrashing and leave her to free herself
4. Pin down her legs so she cannot move, then pull the neck

AnswerB. Cover her head with a cloth to calm her, remove a rail to widen the gap and free her, check the neck, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationThe more a trapped bird thrashes, the more it injures the neck skin, trachea and cervical spine, leading to suffocation or fracture. Covering the head with a cloth or hood to block vision stops the movement, so free her calmly by removing or cutting a rail to widen the gap. Pulling the neck by force damages the spine and trachea, and pinning the legs exposes you to a serious forward kick. Left alone she keeps thrashing and may die. After freeing her, check for neck swelling, breathing and gait, and see a vet the same day for internal injury.

IssuesThe direct cause was a gap between fence rails wide enough for the head, and reaching for grass beyond the fence was not anticipated. Emergency tools and a hood were not near the paddock and no procedure had been set.

ImprovementAdd boards or mesh so fence gaps are narrower than the head, and mow the grass outside the fence line. Keep a hood, tools and clean cloths near the paddock and share the procedure of covering the head first when a bird is trapped. Never skip morning rounds.

A February morning. In a paddock with lingering snow, a 5-year-old male slipped and fell; he lies nearly on his back, thrashing his legs but unable to rise. Each struggle raises his body temperature and he is open-mouth breathing. At least 30 minutes have passed since the fall, and the snow beneath him has melted, soaking his body. The keeper and one family member are available.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Wait until the legs stop moving; see a vet if he cannot stand on his own
2. With two people, cover his head with a cloth, roll him upright from the back side out of reach of the legs, rest him in a dry shelter, and request a farm visit
3. Grab the legs, drag him to the shelter, and lay him down
4. Pour hot water over him to melt the snow and warm him

AnswerB. With two people, cover his head with a cloth, roll him upright from the back side out of reach of the legs, rest him in a dry shelter, and request a farm visit

ExplanationBecause of its build, a fallen ostrich cannot right itself, and continued struggling causes capture myopathy and abnormal body temperature leading to death. Time is critical: cover the head with a cloth to calm him, then with two people roll his body from the back side, where the forward kick cannot reach, to get the legs under him and support him to stand. Once up, dry his wet body, rest him in a dry shelter, and request a vet visit to assess muscle damage. The longer you wait the more muscle breaks down, and dragging by the legs dislocates or fractures them. Hot water scalds, and a sudden temperature change causes shock.

IssuesLetting a heavy male into a snow-slick paddock caused the fall, and there was no plan for snow or ice. Rounds were late, taking 30 minutes to find him, and the keeper did not know how to right a fallen bird.

ImprovementOn days of snow or ice, spread sand in the paddock or keep birds in the shelter. Practice with family the procedure of covering the head and righting from the back side, and make winter morning rounds earlier. After a fall, watch for half a day for trembling or difficulty standing and see a vet if abnormal.

A June morning. Of five 2-week-old chicks being raised naturally with the parent birds, one lies limp in a corner of the shelter. There are signs the adults ran around inside the shelter during last night's thunderstorm; the chick's leg is swollen and it drags its body. There are also abrasions on its abdomen. The other chicks are still moving around at the adults' feet.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Move the injured chick alone to a heated box, separate the other chicks from the adults too, and see a vet the same day
2. Leave the injured chick beside the parents since they will protect it
3. Pull the chick's leg to set it yourself and return it to the parents
4. Regard it as natural culling and watch without treatment

AnswerA. Move the injured chick alone to a heated box, separate the other chicks from the adults too, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationWhen adults over 100 kg panic and run, chicks are trampled and suffer fractures and internal injuries. A swollen, dragging leg is likely fractured, and abdominal abrasions suggest internal injury. First move the injured chick alone to a warm, dark box and see a vet the same day. As long as conditions that panic the adults, such as thunderstorms, persist, the other chicks are also at risk, so separate them into a brooder room. Left beside the parents it will be trampled again. Amateur setting widens the damage. Leaving it as culling is also problematic under the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, abandoning a treatable injury.

IssuesIn raising chicks with the adults, the danger of situations such as thunderstorms that panic the adults was not considered. There was no way to separate adults and chicks at night, creating an environment prone to trampling.

ImprovementKeep chicks separate from adults in a brooder room for at least the first few weeks; if housed together, build a creep partition only chicks can escape into. Always separate chicks on nights when thunderstorms or fireworks are expected. On morning rounds check each chick's gait individually.

June, rainy season. Three days of rain have turned the low part of the paddock into deep mud. On morning rounds, a 3-year-old female is found with both legs sunk to the knee; each struggle sinks her deeper. She is already tired, her neck lowered and her breathing rapid. Boards, rope and a tractor are nearby. The keeper and a neighbor can respond together.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Put a rope around her neck and pull her out with the tractor
2. Grab each leg by hand and pull it out by force
3. Leave her to free herself and check in the evening
4. Cover her head with a cloth to calm her, lay boards for footing, dig the mud away from her legs, and lift her out with two people supporting her body, then rest her in a dry place

AnswerD. Cover her head with a cloth to calm her, lay boards for footing, dig the mud away from her legs, and lift her out with two people supporting her body, then rest her in a dry place

ExplanationAn ostrich stuck in mud sinks further the more it struggles, and exhaustion and muscle damage lead to fatal capture myopathy. First cover the head with a cloth to stop the struggling, lay boards for footing, dig the mud away from the legs to reduce suction, then with two people support the chest and wing bases and lift her out. Afterward rest her in a dry place, and request a vet visit if her legs tremble or she cannot stand. A rope around the neck damages the spine and trachea, and pulling the legs dislocates the joints. Leaving her leads to debilitation and hypothermia.

IssuesThe keeper did not anticipate the low ground turning to mud during prolonged rain and did not keep the bird away from it. There was little knowledge that an ostrich with its legs trapped can hardly free itself and that struggling is fatal.

ImprovementImprove paddock drainage and fill low spots with gravel so puddles do not form. During long rains, move birds to a well-drained pen or the shelter. Set a rescue procedure: cover the head, use boards, and have two or more people support the body; keep cloth, boards and rope in the shed.

An October afternoon. A neighbor's medium-sized dog squeezed under the fence into the paddock and began chasing two ostriches while barking. The ostriches ran at full speed, and one slammed into the fence. The dog is excited and will not leave, and is heading toward the chick pen. The keeper noticed from the shed.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Chase the ostriches before the dog, to catch them and put them in the shelter
2. Assume the dog will leave on its own and only watch the ostriches
3. Safely drive the dog out of the paddock or catch and confine it, calm the ostriches quietly, then check for injuries and gait
4. Rush into the paddock shouting and chase both the dog and the ostriches

AnswerC. Safely drive the dog out of the paddock or catch and confine it, calm the ostriches quietly, then check for injuries and gait

ExplanationTo an ostrich a dog is a predator; chased birds crash into fences and suffer fractures and neck injuries, and the chase alone causes capture myopathy. Chicks are killed outright by dogs. First remove the source of the threat by driving the dog out or catching and confining it, then quiet the surroundings, calm the ostriches, check for injuries and leg abnormalities, and see a vet if needed. Chasing the ostriches first means they are chased twice over and things get worse. Leaving the dog puts the chicks at risk, and rushing in shouting adds to the panic and invites collisions.

IssuesThere was a gap under the fence a dog could get through, and no measures against loose dogs in the area. There was no procedure for a predator intrusion and no understanding that removing the dog first is the priority.

ImprovementBury wire mesh at the base of the fence to the ground to close gaps. Double-fence the chick pen and shut chicks in the shelter at night. Ask neighbors not to let dogs run loose; share with family a procedure that makes confining the dog the first priority, plus what to observe after a chase.

A February night. In the brooder room, a 4-week-old chick pecked the heat lamp cord; the insulation was damaged and sparks flew. The chick collapsed briefly and convulsed, then got up unsteadily; the edge of its beak is black and scorched. The cord is still live on the floor, and other chicks are approaching it.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. First switch off the breaker or power and remove the cord, then isolate the shocked chick in a heated box and see a vet the same day
2. Grab the chick with bare hands to pull it away from the cord and watch it
3. Assume it is fine since it got up and keep using the lamp as is
4. Apply human ointment to the scorched beak and return it to the other chicks

AnswerA. First switch off the breaker or power and remove the cord, then isolate the shocked chick in a heated box and see a vet the same day

ExplanationA live cord can also electrocute a person, so cut the power before doing anything else. A chick that appears to recover from a shock can develop cardiac arrhythmia, internal burns or pulmonary edema hours later, so isolate it in a heated box and see a vet the same day. Grabbing the chick bare-handed electrocutes you too. Leaving it because it got up can end in delayed symptoms and death. Human ointment on the beak burn does not treat internal injury, and returning it to the others invites another accident.

IssuesThe cord was within reach of the chicks and its insulation had not been inspected. There was little awareness that ostrich chicks peck at everything and that managing electrical equipment is fundamental to a brooder room.

ImprovementSecure cords above chick height and protect them with conduit or covers. Inspect heating equipment daily and replace damaged cords at once. Install a ground-fault circuit interrupter and share with family the procedure of cutting the power before any rescue. Treat any electric shock as a same-day vet case.

A May midday. A 3-week-old chick has fallen into a deep tub-style trough meant for adults in the paddock and is floating. It barely keeps its neck above water as it struggles, and the rim is too high to climb out. When lifted out its body is wet, cold and shivering; breathing is rapid but it is conscious. The temperature is 20°C with wind.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Put it in a well-ventilated spot to air-dry and return it to the other chicks
2. Hold it upside down to drain the water and shake its body hard
3. Blow hot air from a hair dryer at close range to dry it quickly
4. Towel off the water, warm it gradually in a heated box while watching its breathing, and see a vet the same day

AnswerD. Towel off the water, warm it gradually in a heated box while watching its breathing, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationChicks regulate body temperature poorly; wet and exposed to wind, they become hypothermic fast and die. Towel off the water and warm it gradually in a dark, heated box while observing its breathing. If it inhaled water, pneumonia can develop hours later, so see a vet the same day. Air-drying in the wind deepens hypothermia and risks trampling by other chicks. Hot air from a dryer at close range causes burns and a sudden rise in body temperature. Holding it upside down and shaking injures the organs and increases aspiration.

IssuesA deep adult trough was placed where chicks could reach it, without considering the chicks' range and the trough height. The keeper did not know the risks of hypothermia and pneumonia after near-drowning and assumed drying it off would be enough.

ImprovementPlace only shallow drinkers in the chick pen and put deep adult troughs where chicks cannot reach. Fit a ramp in troughs so a bird can climb out. Share the rule: towel off a wet chick and warm it gradually, and see a vet the same day for abnormal breathing or lethargy.

A September morning. While repairing the fence, a cut end of wire was left on the ground, and the keeper saw a 3-year-old male pick up a piece of wire about 10 cm long and swallow it whole. So far he walks normally and is eating. Other metal fragments may be scattered around the work area.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Do nothing since he is fine and wait for the wire to appear in the droppings
2. Open his mouth and reach in with your fingers to try to pull the wire out
3. Feed him large amounts of hay to wrap around the wire and promote natural passage
4. Collect the metal fragments from the work area, record the time of ingestion, see a vet the same day, and discuss an X-ray

AnswerD. Collect the metal fragments from the work area, record the time of ingestion, see a vet the same day, and discuss an X-ray

ExplanationSharp metal such as wire lodges in the proventriculus and can pierce the stomach wall, causing peritonitis, or become the core of an impaction. Even with no symptoms right after swallowing, it can lead to loss of appetite or sudden death days to weeks later, so record the time and size, see a vet the same day, confirm its position by X-ray, and discuss a plan. In parallel, collect all metal fragments from the work area. Perforation can occur while waiting for it to pass. Fingers in the mouth cannot reach wire already in the proventriculus and risk a kick. Large amounts of hay promote impaction.

IssuesWire offcuts were left on the ground during repairs while the bird was kept in the same pen. Despite knowing that ostriches invariably swallow shiny metal, the keeper failed to separate the pen or collect debris during the work.

ImprovementDo repairs only after moving birds to another pen, and collect metal fragments with a magnet before returning them. If ingestion is witnessed, record the time and size of the object and set a rule to see a vet that day. Make it a habit to pick up metal and plastic on daily paddock rounds.

A July morning. When a bag of formulated feed stored in a humid warehouse was opened, part of it was caked and smelled moldy, but after removing the surface it was fed to three birds the previous evening. The next morning two 2-year-old females are listless with necks lowered, passing watery droppings, and one has mucus dripping from the mouth. The third bird is fine but ate the same feed.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Collect all remaining feed, isolate the two affected birds, and see a vet immediately with a feed sample
2. Continue the feed since the mold was only on the surface, and withhold water until the diarrhea stops
3. Give milk to dilute the toxin and watch for a day
4. Watch only the two affected birds for a few days, since the healthy one is fine

AnswerA. Collect all remaining feed, isolate the two affected birds, and see a vet immediately with a feed sample

ExplanationMoldy feed contains mycotoxins, and even after removing the surface the contamination usually extends inside. Mycotoxins damage the liver and nervous system, and diarrhea and lethargy can progress to death. First collect all the feed, isolate the affected birds, and see a vet immediately with a sample of the suspect feed. The asymptomatic bird that ate the same feed also needs observation. Withholding water advances dehydration and is dangerous, and milk cannot be digested by birds and worsens diarrhea. Watching for days allows liver damage to progress.

IssuesThe causes were storing feed in a humid warehouse and the misjudgment of removing only the surface of visibly moldy feed. The keeper lacked the knowledge that mycotoxins spread into unseen parts and the mindset that feed quality comes first.

ImprovementStore feed sealed in a dry, cool place, and buy in small quantities from the rainy season through summer. Discard the whole batch at any caking or moldy smell. Check the smell and color of feed before feeding, and set a rule to see a vet the same day if anything abnormal appears after a feed change.

An April evening. Six 2-week-old chicks are kept in a pen with a thick layer of sand. One keeps pecking at sand rather than feed; today its abdomen is hard and swollen and it spends long periods sitting. Its droppings are scant and contain sand. The other chicks eat well. The pen has only one feed dish, which the stronger chicks monopolize.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Give extra grit to help it digest the sand
2. Massage the belly to push the sand through to the intestine and watch
3. Move it to a pen with a sand-free floor, add feed dishes, and see a vet the same day with records of the belly firmness and droppings
4. Assume it will eat feed when hungry, reduce the feed, and wait a few days

AnswerC. Move it to a pen with a sand-free floor, add feed dishes, and see a vet the same day with records of the belly firmness and droppings

ExplanationOstrich chicks that cannot get enough feed eat large amounts of sand, which accumulates in the proventriculus or intestine and causes impaction. A hard, swollen abdomen, reduced droppings and sitting are its signs, and it is fatal if ignored. Move the chick to a sand-free floor to stop sand intake, add feed dishes so weaker chicks can also eat, and see a vet the same day. Extra grit worsens the impaction, and massaging the belly injures the organs. Reducing feed increases sand-eating and makes it worse.

IssuesWith only one feed dish, weaker chicks could not reach feed and resorted to eating sand. The keeper did not understand that sand-eating in chicks causes impaction or the importance of watching each chick's intake.

ImprovementProvide several feed dishes so all chicks can eat at the same time. Observe each chick's feeding and droppings daily to spot heavy sand-eaters early. Treat a hard swollen belly or reduced droppings as a same-day vet criterion, and do not lay sand too thick at the chick stage.

A November afternoon. A bag of rodenticide placed on the floor of the feed warehouse for rat control is torn and almost empty. The warehouse door was left open, and there are footprints of a 2-year-old male going between it and the paddock. He is walking normally and eating, but it cannot be confirmed whether he ate the poison.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Since it is unclear whether he ate it, watch until bleeding or lethargy appears
2. Give salt water to make him vomit
3. Check the product name and ingredients of the rodenticide, contact a vet immediately, report possible ingestion, and follow instructions
4. Assume a rat poison does not affect ostriches and do nothing

AnswerC. Check the product name and ingredients of the rodenticide, contact a vet immediately, report possible ingestion, and follow instructions

ExplanationMost rodenticides contain anticoagulants; the bird may suddenly collapse from internal bleeding days after ingestion, and by the time symptoms appear it is often too late. They are effective in birds and poison ostriches too. At the stage of possible ingestion, check the product name and ingredients and contact a vet immediately for instructions on antidote or monitoring. Waiting for symptoms is the worst choice. Inducing vomiting with salt water is not feasible in ostriches and causes salt poisoning. Believing a rat poison is harmless to ostriches is wrong.

IssuesRodenticide was placed on the warehouse floor and the door left open so the bird could come and go. The ostrich's habit of swallowing anything lying around and the delayed danger of rodenticides were underestimated.

ImprovementPlace rodenticide in sealed bait stations out of animal reach and always close the warehouse door. Record the product name and ingredients of any rodenticide used and post them with the vet's contact. Set a rule to contact the vet immediately on suspected ingestion even without symptoms.

An August morning. The keeper learned that the owner of the adjacent field sprayed herbicide on the grass along the boundary the previous day. Two 3-year-old females had been eating grass within reach through the paddock fence since morning. They look normal now, but one has begun drooling and is slightly restless. The name of the chemical can be learned from the field's owner.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Move both birds to a pen away from the boundary, confirm the chemical name, and contact a vet immediately for instructions
2. Assume eating a little grass is harmless and leave them in the paddock
3. Decide that having them drink lots of water to dilute the chemical is enough and skip the vet
4. Give human antidiarrheal and stomach medicine and watch for a day

AnswerA. Move both birds to a pen away from the boundary, confirm the chemical name, and contact a vet immediately for instructions

ExplanationSome herbicides are strongly toxic to the nervous or digestive system, and drooling and restlessness may be early signs of poisoning. First move the birds to a pen out of reach of the contaminated grass to stop further intake, confirm the chemical name and amount sprayed, and contact a vet immediately for instructions. Treatment differs by chemical, so identifying it matters. Leaving them lets symptoms progress. Water alone does not neutralize the toxin, and human medicines are harmful to birds and delay diagnosis.

IssuesThere was no advance sharing of information about pesticide use on the adjacent land, and grazing through the fence was not anticipated. There was a tendency to dismiss early signs of poisoning such as drooling and restlessness.

ImprovementAsk the neighboring landowner to give notice of spraying, and for a few days afterward add an inner fence so the boundary grass is out of reach. Mow the grass outside the fence line regularly. Set a procedure to confirm the chemical name and contact the vet at once when poisoning is suspected.

2 p.m. in August, 38°C. In a paddock with no tree shade, a 4-year-old male holds his wings out from his body, drooping, and keeps breathing rapidly with his mouth wide open. His neck is low and he wobbles; the trough water is lukewarm and nearly gone. There is a shelter, but its door is shut so he cannot get in. The other two birds are huddled in the shadow of the shelter wall.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pour large amounts of ice water over his body to cool him rapidly
2. Assume ostriches tolerate heat, do not worry, and wait for evening
3. Open the shelter door to get him into shade, pour room-temperature water on his legs and body with a fan, give fresh water, and request a farm visit if he does not improve
4. Drive him to run to the shelter and shut him inside

AnswerC. Open the shelter door to get him into shade, pour room-temperature water on his legs and body with a fan, give fresh water, and request a farm visit if he does not improve

ExplanationWings held out and rapid open-mouth breathing are signs of heat stress as the bird tries to cool itself, and wobbling means heatstroke is advancing. Ostriches tolerate dry heat but without shade and water it becomes fatal. First get him into shade, cool him gradually with room-temperature water on the legs and body and a fan, and give fresh water. If he does not improve, request a vet visit. Ice water constricts blood vessels and causes shock. Waiting until evening is too late. Driving him raises his temperature further and invites capture myopathy.

IssuesThe paddock had no shade and the shelter door was shut on a scorching day, leaving no refuge. Trough water was poorly managed, and summer heat measures were lacking under the assumption that adults are hardy.

ImprovementInstall shade in the paddock and keep the shelter open at all times on hot days. Place troughs in the shade, change the water at least twice a day, and add containers. Avoid daytime work at 35°C or above, and at the first sign of open-mouth breathing or drooping wings, cool the bird and guide it into shade immediately.

Late on a January night, outside temperature minus 5°C. In the brooder room with eight 1-week-old chicks, one heat lamp had burned out. At 5 a.m. the chicks were found piled in a corner; the two at the bottom are cold, limp and silent. The thermometer reads 18°C. The other chicks are shivering and sluggish. A spare lamp, cardboard boxes and a hot-water bottle are available.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Place the two limp chicks directly on a boiling-hot water bottle to warm them fast
2. Move all chicks to a warm bathroom and keep blowing hot air from a hair dryer on them
3. Decide 18°C is enough, just replace the lamp, and leave for work
4. Restore the room to the proper temperature with the spare lamp, wrap the two limp chicks in towels and warm them gradually in a separate box, and see a vet first thing in the morning

AnswerD. Restore the room to the proper temperature with the spare lamp, wrap the two limp chicks in towels and warm them gradually in a separate box, and see a vet first thing in the morning

ExplanationOne-week-old chicks need about 32°C; at 18°C they become hypothermic, and when they pile up the ones underneath die from compression and cold. First restore the proper temperature with the spare lamp, wrap the limp chicks in towels, warm them gradually in a separate box, watch for a response, and see a vet first thing in the morning. Rapid warming causes arrhythmia and shock, so placing them directly on a boiling-hot water bottle is dangerous for both burns and overheating. At 18°C they become hypothermic again, and hot air from a dryer causes dehydration and burns.

IssuesThe keeper had not anticipated a lamp failing on a cold-snap night; there was no temperature alarm or night check. Understanding that chicks need far higher temperatures than adults, and placement of backup equipment, were inadequate.

ImprovementFit the brooder room with at least two independent heat sources and a temperature alarm, and add a night check on cold-snap nights. Post a chart of proper temperatures by chick age and place the thermometer at chick height. Share the procedure of gradually warming hypothermic chicks and seeing a vet first thing in the morning.

10 p.m. on a March night. Lightning knocked out power to the area. The home incubator holds 20 eggs due to hatch in 10 days, and the brooder room next to it has ten 2-week-old chicks. Restoration time is unknown, and the outside temperature is 5°C. A car battery, a small generator, blankets and disposable hand warmers are available. The incubator temperature is starting to drop.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Assume the eggs are hardy and do nothing; just wrap the chicks in blankets and wait until morning
2. Run the incubator on the generator as the priority, and put the chicks in a blanket-lined box with hand warmers wrapped in cloth, monitoring with a thermometer
3. Open the incubator and warm the eggs over the stove flame
4. Put the chicks and eggs together in the car, run the engine for heat, and leave them until morning

AnswerB. Run the incubator on the generator as the priority, and put the chicks in a blanket-lined box with hand warmers wrapped in cloth, monitoring with a thermometer

ExplanationDeveloping eggs stop developing after a few hours of temperature drop, and chicks die of hypothermia, so limited power must be used by priority. Run the incubator on the generator to maintain temperature and ventilation, and keep the chicks in a blanket-lined box with cloth-wrapped hand warmers, checking with a thermometer for about 32°C. Eggs are sensitive to temperature change and leaving them is fatal; an open flame destroys development through uneven heating. Leaving chicks and eggs in a car risks exhaust fumes and overheating, and an unattended running car also risks fire.

IssuesDuring incubation and brooding, the periods most dependent on electricity, no procedure for backup power and temperature control had been set. The criteria for prioritizing eggs or chicks had not been worked out in advance.

ImprovementDuring incubation and brooding, fuel and test the generator in advance and post the outage procedure. Use battery-powered temperature alarms for the incubator and brooder room, and stock emergency heat sources such as hand warmers and hot-water bottles. After power returns, candle the eggs and check the chicks' condition.

2 a.m. An earthquake of seismic intensity 5-upper struck. Part of the paddock fence has collapsed, and five ostriches are running around in the dark, crashing into fence debris and each other. Part of the shelter roof has also fallen. The keeper and family are safe, but the power is out and the only light is a flashlight. Beyond the fallen fence is a field, and beyond that a road.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. After securing people's safety, keep the surroundings quiet without pointing the flashlight at the birds, block the gap in the fallen fence with boards or a vehicle, and wait until morning without disturbing them
2. Go into the paddock right away and catch the birds one by one to put them in the shelter
3. Shine the flashlight on the flock and call out loudly to try to calm them
4. Gather neighbors during the night to drive the birds and move them elsewhere

AnswerA. After securing people's safety, keep the surroundings quiet without pointing the flashlight at the birds, block the gap in the fallen fence with boards or a vehicle, and wait until morning without disturbing them

ExplanationAgitated ostriches in the dark crash into fences and people, and anyone entering risks a serious forward kick. First secure people's safety from aftershocks and fallen structures, then prevent escape by blocking the gap with boards or a vehicle, and let the flock settle naturally without stimulation. Ostriches slow down in darkness, so it is important not to stimulate them with light or voice; pointing a flashlight at them or shouting increases panic. Capturing or driving them at night leads to collisions, fractures and capture myopathy. Once it is light, check for injuries and gait and request a vet visit if needed.

IssuesEscape-prevention measures for when an earthquake damages fences or shelter, and the principle of not disturbing the flock at night, had not been shared with the family. Fence strength had not been inspected, and no materials for blocking gaps were on hand.

ImprovementDrive fence posts deep and inspect their strength regularly. Decide in advance on boards, portable panels and vehicle positions for blocking gaps. Share the procedure that during a night disaster only human safety and escape prevention are addressed, with capture left until daylight. Record the local evacuation site and vet contacts.

A September morning. A large typhoon is forecast to hit directly tomorrow night. The paddock is on low ground near a river and has flooded before. There are three adults and, in a separate pen, six 1-month-old chicks. An acquaintance's cattle barn on high ground can be used temporarily. Moving requires a livestock trailer, which can be borrowed today if arranged now.

Which is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Wait for the typhoon, watch the water level, and decide to move if it gets dangerous
2. Assume the adults are big enough to be fine and evacuate only the chicks to the house
3. Arrange the trailer today and move the adults and chicks to high ground using hoods during daylight in calm conditions
4. Shut the shelter door with all birds inside and hope it does not flood

AnswerC. Arrange the trailer today and move the adults and chicks to high ground using hoods during daylight in calm conditions

ExplanationOn low ground at risk of flooding, moving once the storm has begun is impossible, and confined ostriches end up in water, dying of hypothermia or drowning. Move before the typhoon arrives, in calm daylight, calming the birds with hoods and transporting them in a livestock trailer to the facility on high ground. Carry chicks in boxes, kept warm. Deciding after the typhoon arrives means chasing birds and working in the dark, inviting collisions and escapes. Adults cannot withstand flooding and gales either. Shutting them in and hoping is the most dangerous option, removing any escape.

IssuesBirds were kept on low ground that had flooded before, yet no evacuation site or transport had been arranged in advance. The keeper lacked the disaster-response principles that large birds cannot be moved in a storm and that early decisions save lives.

ImprovementSecure an evacuation facility and a source for borrowing a trailer in normal times, and set a rule to move by the day before a forecast direct hit. Keep hoods, boxes and warming supplies packed for evacuation. In the long term, relocate the paddock or raise the ground to reduce flood risk.

6 a.m. in December. Two females, aged 3 and 4, were found dead in the paddock with no warning. Of the remaining four, two are wobbling with necks lowered, faces swollen and eyelids drooping. Many wild birds such as ducks have recently been landing on the paddock pond. The keeper is about to touch the carcasses with bare hands.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Clear the carcasses bare-handed, bury them on the hill behind, and board the remaining birds with another keeper
2. Perform your own necropsy to determine the cause of death
3. Assume a cold, heat the shelter, and give human medicine to the listless birds
4. Do not touch the carcasses; put on gloves and a mask, minimize contact with the flock, and notify the Livestock Hygiene Service Center and a vet immediately

AnswerD. Do not touch the carcasses; put on gloves and a mask, minimize contact with the flock, and notify the Livestock Hygiene Service Center and a vet immediately

ExplanationSudden death of several birds, facial swelling, neurological signs and visiting wild birds strongly suggest highly pathogenic avian influenza. Ostriches are notifiable poultry under the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control, and unusual deaths must be reported to the Livestock Hygiene Service Center immediately. Because of the risk to humans, do not touch carcasses or birds bare-handed, wear gloves and a mask, and never move birds to other premises. Burying carcasses, boarding birds elsewhere, or doing your own necropsy spreads infection and breaks the law. Human medicine is useless and dangerous.

IssuesA pond that attracts wild birds was left in the paddock with no bird-deterrent measures. The keeper did not understand the reporting duty for poultry or the procedure of reporting sudden deaths without touching them, and was about to clear them bare-handed.

ImprovementCover or remove the paddock pond so wild birds do not come, and fit bird netting on the shelter. Post the Livestock Hygiene Service Center's contact and the reporting criteria (multiple sudden deaths, neurological signs). Keep gloves, masks and a disinfectant footbath on hand, and check daily for wild birds during the winter migration season.

A June weekend. A visiting parent and child held a freshly laid ostrich egg in the paddock for a souvenir photo, then ate the rice balls they had brought without washing up. Two days later came word that the 5-year-old child has a fever and repeated watery diarrhea. The farm does not wash eggs after laying, and many have droppings on them.

As the keeper, which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Explain that they ate without washing hands after touching the egg, and advise seeing a pediatrician for testing such as for Salmonella
2. Reply that it is unrelated to the ostriches and tell them to wait and see
3. Recommend an over-the-counter probiotic and ask them to call if it does not clear up
4. Explain that the eggs are sterilized so there is nothing to worry about

AnswerA. Explain that they ate without washing hands after touching the egg, and advise seeing a pediatrician for testing such as for Salmonella

ExplanationSalmonella can be present on ostrich droppings and eggshells, and eating with hands that touched them infects people, causing fever and diarrhea. Young children are prone to severe illness, so it is the keeper's responsibility to tell the parent accurately that the child ate without washing hands after touching the egg, and to advise a pediatrician visit and testing. Saying it is unrelated or recommending over-the-counter remedies delays diagnosis. Freshly laid eggs are not sterilized, and a shell with droppings on it is itself a source of infection.

IssuesVisitors were allowed to handle unwashed eggs with droppings on them, with no guidance on handwashing or where to eat. The keeper lacked knowledge that ostriches can carry zoonotic Salmonella and failed to give visitors hygiene instructions.

ImprovementLimit what visitors may touch, and provide a place and signage for handwashing or disinfection afterward. Prohibit eating and drinking in the paddock, and wash eggs after collection before handling. Enforce handwashing especially for young children and the elderly, and give a contact in case of illness.

An April afternoon. A 2-year-old female bought from a farm in another prefecture has arrived by trailer. The existing flock is four healthy birds, and there is no spare space in the paddock. A health certificate came from the seller, but the new bird is tired from transport and shows slightly soft droppings. The keeper wants to add her to the flock today so she can settle.

Which is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Add her to the flock right away since she has a health certificate
2. House her with the calmest bird in the flock, and add her to the whole flock if there is no problem
3. Keep her in a separate shelter for one night and add her in the morning if the soft droppings have stopped
4. Keep her in a quarantine pen away from the flock for at least 3 weeks, observe, and add her only after a fecal exam

AnswerD. Keep her in a quarantine pen away from the flock for at least 3 weeks, observe, and add her only after a fecal exam

ExplanationEven with a health certificate, a new bird may silently carry parasites, bacteria or viruses, and transport stress makes illness likely to surface. The soft droppings may be a sign of this. To protect the existing flock, observe her for at least 3 weeks in a quarantine pen away from the flock and add her only if a fecal exam is clear. Adding her right away or judging after one night ignores incubation periods and risks spreading infection to the whole flock. Housing her with one bird carries the same infection risk and is not quarantine.

IssuesThere was no spare pen for quarantine, and the importance of quarantine on introduction was not understood. The health certificate was over-trusted and the abnormal soft droppings after transport were dismissed.

ImprovementPrepare a quarantine pen away from the flock before any introduction, and make at least 3 weeks' observation plus a fecal exam the standard procedure. Use dedicated boots and tools during quarantine and tend the existing flock first. Record droppings and appetite on arrival and see a vet if abnormal.

A November afternoon. The keeper visited an acquaintance's poultry farm, came home, and went into the ostrich shelter in the same shoes and clothes to feed the birds. Later the keeper heard that chicken deaths had been rising at that farm for several days. The ostriches show no abnormality so far. There is no disinfectant footbath at the shelter entrance and no dedicated boots.

Which is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Do nothing in particular since the ostriches are fine, and be careful next time
2. Immediately change and disinfect shoes and clothing, set up a footbath at the entrance, observe the flock daily for a week, and consult the Livestock Hygiene Service Center if anything is abnormal
3. Give human antibiotics to all the ostriches as a precaution
4. Consider it enough to replace all the sand on the shelter floor

AnswerB. Immediately change and disinfect shoes and clothing, set up a footbath at the entrance, observe the flock daily for a week, and consult the Livestock Hygiene Service Center if anything is abnormal

ExplanationPoultry diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease are carried in droppings on shoes and clothing. Entering the shelter in shoes worn at a farm with rising chicken deaths is a serious biosecurity error. Change and wash and disinfect shoes and clothing at once, and introduce a footbath and dedicated boots. Allowing for incubation, observe the flock daily for a week for appetite, droppings, energy and sudden deaths, and consult the Livestock Hygiene Service Center if anything is abnormal. Human antibiotics do nothing against viruses and are harmful. Replacing the sand alone does not deal with pathogens left on shoes and clothing.

IssuesThe basic biosecurity habit of changing clothes and shoes after visiting another poultry facility was absent, as were a footbath and dedicated boots. There was little awareness that ostriches, as poultry, can catch other birds' diseases.

ImprovementPlace a footbath and dedicated boots and work clothes at the shelter entrance, and always change after coming from outside. Make it a rule not to enter the shelter on a day another poultry facility was visited. Require visitors to disinfect and wear shoe covers, and record visitors and any abnormalities in the husbandry log.

A July evening. A 5-year-old male lies on his side in the paddock and does not respond when called. His chest seems to move faintly as he breathes, but his mouth is half open and his neck is stretched along the ground. There are no injuries around him, and hay can be seen packed in his mouth. The keeper has learned human CPR and is unsure whether to press on the chest.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Start CPR with strong chest compressions as for a person
2. Pour water into his mouth to try to bring him round
3. Have several people lift his body to stand him up
4. Remove the hay from his mouth to clear the airway, keep him in the shade with the neck extended, and request a farm visit immediately

AnswerD. Remove the hay from his mouth to clear the airway, keep him in the shade with the neck extended, and request a farm visit immediately

ExplanationIn an ostrich over 100 kg, human-style chest compressions break the ribs and sternum and damage the lungs and heart, so they are not done. The life-saving measures available are clearing foreign matter from the mouth to open the airway, keeping the neck extended so breathing is unobstructed, and keeping him in the shade with a fan so he does not overheat. Then request a vet visit immediately. Lifting a breathing bird injures the neck and legs, and pouring water into an unconscious bird causes aspiration pneumonia or choking.

IssuesThe keeper mistakenly tried to apply human CPR knowledge directly to an ostrich. The keeper did not know that effective first aid for a large bird is airway clearance, temperature management and arranging a vet visit, and emergency contacts were not organized.

ImprovementWrite and post in the shelter the first-aid procedure for ostriches: no chest compressions; clear the airway and warm or cool as needed. Secure several contacts for vets who make farm visits, and practice checking and reporting breathing rate and mouth contents when a collapsed bird is found.

An October afternoon. A 4-year-old female caught her leg on a metal protrusion on the fence and is bleeding in spurts from the inside of the shin. She is agitated and kicking out, and blood is spreading on the ground. The keeper and one family member are present, with clean towels, a hood and rope at hand. The vet has been reached by phone but will take 40 minutes to arrive.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Tie a rope tightly around the top of the leg and leave it until the vet arrives
2. Do nothing since she is moving around, and wait for the vet
3. Calm her with a hood, lay her on her side, keep pressing the wound firmly with a clean towel from a position out of reach of the legs, and report the situation to the vet
4. Grab the leg from the front to examine the wound and apply an adhesive bandage

AnswerC. Calm her with a hood, lay her on her side, keep pressing the wound firmly with a clean towel from a position out of reach of the legs, and report the situation to the vet

ExplanationSpurting bleeding means an arterial injury, and 40 minutes untreated means death from blood loss. First block her vision with a hood to calm her, lay her on her side with two people, and from the back side where kicks cannot reach, keep firm pressure on the wound with a clean towel until the vet arrives. A rope tourniquet left on for a long time causes tissue death, and the right tightness is hard for an amateur to judge. Doing nothing means she bleeds to death. Grabbing the leg from the front gets you seriously kicked, and an adhesive bandage will not stop arterial bleeding. Tell the vet the amount of blood lost and the pressure being applied.

IssuesA metal protrusion remained on the fence and was missed on regular inspection. The procedure for sustained pressure during heavy bleeding and the method of safely laying an ostrich down had not been practiced, and roles for a two-person team were not set.

ImprovementInspect fences monthly and remove protrusions and nails. Keep clean towels for pressure and a hood near the paddock, and practice laying a bird down with two people and working from the back side. Share the rule: press for at least 5 minutes, and if bleeding continues, keep pressing while waiting for the vet.

A May morning. A 3-year-old female is dragging a leg and has difficulty walking. No vet is available for a farm visit, and an animal hospital an hour away that treats large animals has asked that she be brought in. A light truck, a livestock trailer, a hood, blankets and rope are at hand. She is easily agitated and can stand, but cannot walk far.

Which is the most appropriate transport method?

1. Tie her legs with rope, load her on the truck bed, and transport her lying on her side
2. Wait a few days until she can walk before taking her, since transport is dangerous
3. Force her into the back seat of a passenger car
4. Calm her with a hood, guide her quietly into a trailer with non-slip flooring, drive with minimal jolting, and tell the hospital the arrival time

AnswerD. Calm her with a hood, guide her quietly into a trailer with non-slip flooring, drive with minimal jolting, and tell the hospital the arrival time

ExplanationThe basics of transporting a large ostrich are to calm her with a hood that blocks vision, guide her quietly into a livestock trailer with non-slip flooring, and transport her standing. Hard braking and jolting cause falls and fractures, so drive carefully and tell the hospital the arrival time and her condition so they can prepare. Transporting her tied and on her side impairs breathing, and she will thrash, causing fractures and capture myopathy. Forcing her into a car endangers both bird and people, and waiting days lets the leg injury worsen and loses the chance of treatment.

IssuesNo vet who makes farm visits had been secured in normal times, and no transport means had been prepared or practiced. The keeper did not know that large-bird transport rests on the principles of standing, blocked vision and non-slip flooring.

ImprovementIn normal times, confirm a vet who treats large animals and whether farm visits are possible, and arrange a source for a transport trailer. Keep a hood, non-slip mat and blankets as a transport kit, and practice loading and unloading with a healthy bird once a year.

10 p.m. on an August night. On paddock rounds, a 4-year-old male is found sitting in front of the shelter and does not get up when called. During the day he walked and ate normally. His legs are not deformed and there is no bleeding, but he collapses each time he tries to stand, and sways his neck back and forth. His breathing is slightly fast. It was a scorching day at 36°C, and the trough was empty.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Assume he is just tired and watch until the next morning
2. Treat inability to stand as an emergency, place fresh water nearby, fan him, and contact an after-hours vet immediately
3. Force him up and make him walk to the shelter
4. Cool his body with ice water and wait for a morning vet visit

AnswerB. Treat inability to stand as an emergency, place fresh water nearby, fan him, and contact an after-hours vet immediately

ExplanationAn ostrich that sits and cannot rise is a high-urgency case whatever the cause. With an empty trough on a scorching day, heatstroke and dehydration are suspected, and the swaying neck is a sign of neurological trouble or weakness. Leaving him until morning risks death or secondary muscle damage, so place fresh water within reach, fan him to lower his temperature, and contact an after-hours vet immediately. Forcing him up risks a fall and fracture. Rapid cooling with ice water causes shock, and waiting until morning is also dangerous.

IssuesA basic management failure let the trough run dry on a scorching day, and evening rounds did not catch it. The ostrich-specific rule that inability to stand is an emergency even at night, and an after-hours vet contact, were lacking.

ImprovementIn summer place several troughs and check water levels morning and evening without fail. Post sitting, inability to stand and neck swaying as criteria for immediate contact regardless of the hour. Secure an after-hours vet in normal times and keep the contact where every family member can find it.

A March morning. A 6-year-old female lies in the shelter and does not respond when called. Her eyes are half open, and it is hard to tell whether the chest is moving. On the phone the vet asks for the breathing rate and whether there is a heartbeat. The keeper only knows how to take a human pulse and does not know where to look. Her legs are stretched out and twitch faintly now and then.

Which is the most appropriate way to get the information the vet needs?

1. Press hard on the neck vessels to find a pulse, and report cardiac arrest if none is found
2. Hold a hand to the mouth and report cardiopulmonary arrest if no breath is felt
3. Shake the body to check for a response, and report she is fine if she moves
4. Approach from the back side out of reach of the legs, count the rise and fall of the chest for the breathing rate, and place a hand on the side of the chest to check for a heartbeat

AnswerD. Approach from the back side out of reach of the legs, count the rise and fall of the chest for the breathing rate, and place a hand on the side of the chest to check for a heartbeat

ExplanationAn ostrich's breathing can be seen as the rise and fall of the chest and abdomen; at rest it is only about 6–12 breaths per minute, so count for a full minute. The heartbeat can be felt with a hand on the side of the chest, about 60–70 per minute at rest. A bird whose legs are moving can kick reflexively, so always approach from the back side out of reach. Pressing hard on the neck vessels compresses the trachea and is dangerous, and human methods give no answer. Shaking the body worsens injuries, and breath at the mouth alone misleads in a bird with such a low breathing rate.

IssuesThe keeper did not know the normal breathing and heart rates of an ostrich or how to check them, and tried to substitute the human pulse method. The keeper did not understand that even an unconscious bird is dangerous if its legs move, and had no safe approach method.

ImprovementPost in the shelter a chart of the ostrich's normal breathing and heart rates and where to check them. Practice counting chest movements on a healthy bird so numbers can be reported in an emergency. Enforce the rule of always approaching a collapsed bird from the back side.

An April midday. A 3-year-old male with a wing laceration needs to be calmed and have pressure applied before the vet arrives. He is agitated, spreading his wings and raising his neck high to threaten anyone who approaches. The keeper and two helpers are present, with a hood, a large towel and clean cloths. In a corner of the paddock is a narrow chute into which he can be guided.

Which is the safest restraint procedure?

1. One person stands in front to draw his attention while the other two grab his legs from behind and topple him
2. Guide him into the narrow chute, hold the base of the neck from the side and put the hood on, lower the head below the back, and have two people support the bases of the wings
3. Throw a rope over his neck, pull him in, and tie him to the fence for treatment
4. Leave him for several hours to settle, then approach alone to stop the bleeding

AnswerB. Guide him into the narrow chute, hold the base of the neck from the side and put the hood on, lower the head below the back, and have two people support the bases of the wings

ExplanationThe basics of ostrich restraint are never to stand in front, to guide the bird into a narrow chute, hold the base of the neck from the side, and block vision with a hood. Lowering the head below the level of the back makes a forward kick impossible, and with two people supporting the wing bases, treatment can be done safely. Keep restraint brief and quiet to prevent capture myopathy. Whoever stands in front takes a lethal kick, and grabbing the legs to topple him causes fractures and human injury. A rope on the neck damages the trachea and spine. Leaving him for hours means continued bleeding, and approaching alone is dangerous.

IssuesRestraint of an injured bird and role assignments had not been practiced in normal times, and there was no procedure for how several people handle an agitated male. A hood was on hand, but the full sequence including use of the chute had not been shared.

ImprovementShare the restraint principles with all helpers: never stand in front, hold the neck from the side and hood, lower the head; practice on a healthy bird a few times a year. Keep a permanent chute and place the hood and cloths beside it. Keep restraint brief and watch for trembling or difficulty standing afterward.

6 a.m. in February. A 5-day-old chick lies in a corner of the brooder room; its body is cold to the touch, eyes closed, and it makes no sound. The chest seems to move faintly. During the night the heater apparently shifted, and only that corner cooled down. The other chicks are fine under the heater. Blankets, a hot-water bottle, towels and a cardboard box are at hand.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Press hard on the chest with a finger to attempt CPR
2. Judge it dead and dispose of it
3. Wrap it in a towel, warm it gradually in a box with a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle, watch for changes in breathing, and see a vet first thing in the morning
4. Place it directly under the heater to warm it rapidly

AnswerC. Wrap it in a towel, warm it gradually in a box with a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle, watch for changes in breathing, and see a vet first thing in the morning

ExplanationA hypothermic chick may look lifeless but can recover if it is still breathing faintly. Wrap it in a towel, restore its temperature gradually in a dark box with a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle, watch for changes in breathing or chirping, and see a vet first thing in the morning. Rapid warming causes arrhythmia and shock, so placing it directly under the heater is dangerous. Pressing hard on a small chick's chest causes fractures and organ damage, and it is unnecessary while it is breathing. As long as there is faint breathing, never judge it dead and dispose of it.

IssuesNight management did not catch the heater shifting, and there was no system for checking temperature variation in the brooder room. The keeper did not know the first-aid basic of warming a hypothermic chick gradually, or how to tell apparent death from actual death.

ImprovementFix heaters in place and put thermometers at several points in the brooder room to check for uneven temperature daily. Make at least one check during the night. Share the procedure of warming hypothermic chicks gradually, checking breathing, and seeing a vet first thing in the morning. Keep a hot-water bottle and towels in the brooder room.