Body temperature of ostriches (Struthio camelus) kept in an open stable during winter time in Germany

Commercial breeding of ostriches in the northern parts of Europe is still discussed controversially in particular in winter. Here we measured the body temperature of 12 ostriches of two different ages during 12 weeks in winter using temperature loggers implanted subcutaneously and in the abdominal cavity. The mean peritoneal temperature ranged between 37.4 and 38.5 °C in the younger subjects and between 37.2 and 38.1 °C in the older subjects. Climatic conditions significantly affected the body temperature but in comparison with the variations between and within subjects these effects were low. There was no evidence that the young ostriches were not able to adapt towards the climatic conditions prevalent during our study.