What are the conditions for choosing a site for a domestic ostrich farm?
(1) Conditions for choosing a site
The design and construction of an ostrich farm should take into account local actual conditions and available funding, and strive to be practical, scientific, low-cost, and easy to develop and adjust. Dogmatic methods that mystify things while ignoring actual conditions and possibilities are not advisable. This chapter only briefly introduces some basic requirements to note in the siting, layout and construction of an ostrich farm.
After determining the investment, construction scale and project goals of a new ostrich farm, you should proceed from actual conditions and possibilities, scientifically select the site, and carefully design the farm construction plan, so as to lay a good foundation for the future. When choosing a site, the following basic conditions should be considered and the best option selected as far as possible: 1. Climatic conditions.
The African ostrich is suited to growing and breeding in arid or semi-arid regions. Although it is highly adaptable, excessively humid and rainy conditions or severe heat and cold will affect the ostrich's production level, reduce breeding egg output, hatchability and chick survival rate, and also increase construction costs and production costs. Therefore, an ostrich farm is best sited in an area with relatively high terrain, convenient drainage, ample sunlight, good ventilation, an annual temperature of -15°C to +40°C (preferably -5°C to +30°C), and no or few thunderstorms. Areas prone to lightning, frequent hail disasters and frequent storms should be avoided as far as possible. The drier the air humidity, the better.
2. Site conditions.
The construction of an ostrich farm should make use of poor non-arable land, sandy wasteland or gently sloping land as far as possible (the slope should preferably face south from a north-facing position); on the one hand this occupies less arable land, and it also reduces the disease effects that may be brought by humus accumulated in arable land and chemical pesticides. Sandy soil or sandy loam that is loose and has good permeability is best. It is better to be relatively enclosed and isolated from the surrounding environment; in particular, do not build the farm close to other poultry farms or villages and towns with dense human and livestock populations, to prevent cross-infection and spread of disease. 3. Water and electricity conditions. There should be a water source of good quality and not easily polluted that can meet the farm's water needs for ostrich drinking and for production and daily life. The power supply should be sufficient and stable, and it is best to have a backup generator of appropriate power (for an ostrich farm of general scale, 30-50 kVA is sufficient), so that when a public circuit interruption occurs, temporary power can be supplied in time to equipment that must use electricity, such as incubation, chick warming, water pumps, and office lighting. 4. Surrounding environmental conditions. Ostriches are extremely prone to stress; severe stress can affect normal growth and reproduction, and in especially severe cases may even cause cessation of production or even death. Therefore, the surrounding environment of an ostrich farm should be as quiet as possible, far from residential areas, airports, railways, docks, busy highways and other large, noisy areas, as well as areas where air, water sources and soil are easily polluted. Trees should be planted for greening inside and around the ostrich farm (species that are non-toxic, resistant to pests, and do not produce large amounts of pollen or floating catkins should be chosen); in winter they can block strong winds, and in summer they can provide shade and relief from heat (generally several trees with a trunk height of more than 2 m should be planted in each pen), and they can also purify the air, making the rearing area closer to the natural environment.