Space requirement for ostrich

SPACE REQUIREMENT FOR OSTRICH

There is a large variation in stocking densities for ostriches. Optimum stocking densities has not been studied in detail for ratite breeder flocks to maximise welfare of birds. High stocking densities for breeders may compromise freedom of movement, access to food and water and welfare of birds.

Indoor Shed/ Shelter Size

  • Space or pen size depends on the number of birds in a group, their size or age, and whether they have outdoor exercise room. For the first 4 weeks an 8' x 12' area may accommodate up to 12 chicks. Thereafter, space needs to be increased, as chicks grow.
  • Keep in mind the rule of thumb of 20-30 sq ft per chick indoors, providing that adequate additional outdoor pen space is also provided. For grow-out pens with large numbers of birds, or when housing larger groups of breeders (say 10 to 20), the pen size would have to be increased accordingly. Adult breeder birds should be provided with a minimum of 60-80 square feet per bird in indoor pens.

Outdoor Pen

For young chicks (0 to 4 months)

  • Young chicks should be placed in facilities that will accommodate them until they are 4 months of age. Up to 6 weeks of age the chicks are given 20 square feet pen area and 5 square feet run area. Outdoor run sizes should be gradually increased with age, keeping in mind the rule-of-thumb of 50 square feet per bird respectively at 4 months of age.
  • Younger chicks have to be separated into groups of approximately similar size, to avoid injuries to the smaller chicks by the bigger/older ones. Large outside pens can be partitioned using temporary fencing (shade cloth or plastic netting) to separate very young chicks. As chicks grow, temporary fencing can be removed to extend pen space.

For juvenile birds (5 to 18 months)

  • Once chicks reach 5 months of age, age difference is not a problem and the birds from 5 months to 18 months of age can be mixed to make larger groups. Pens can be amalgamated, giving chicks access to a larger space. Construction of juvenile pens is similar to the breeder pens. Therefore dozens of juvenile birds can be housed together into a good size breeder pen. Juvenile pens can be of any type of substrate and ground cover such as grass is desired.

For adult birds

  • A pen with minimum size of 900 sq.ft. (60' x 15'), to a maximum of 30,000 sq. ft. (100’X 300'; average, 50' X 250') can be used for a pair or trio (one male and 2 female) adult ostriches. Some use pie shapes with 20' wide at shelter to 80' wide at the rear, with length up to 250'. The narrowing of pens towards the shelter door also provides a funnel-shaped area that helps when trying to move birds indoors.

Sun shelter

  • A pen having an area of 25' X 25' with 6 inch deep clean sand is provided in the run area for the birds to roll in.
Last modified: Wednesday, 2 May 2012, 8:44 AM