How to Build Shelters for Ostriches
Ostriches pens are easy to build structures that benefit your ostriches' health. They offer the freedom of space and allow for physical exercise and increased playful interaction. This combination is beneficial to your ostriches not only physically but also mentally. Here are the steps for building an ostrich shelter.
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Things You'll Need
- Sand
- Wire mesh
- Fence posts
- Gates
- Feeder
- Waterer
- Environmentally friendly spray marker
Instructions
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1
Consider the size you want for your pen or shelter. It depends on how many birds you plan on having. For a breeding pair, allow for a space of at least around 60 by 20 feet, but if possible, closer to 200 by 50 feet.
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2
Mark your spaces, including gates and at least one escape route. Plan a gate that restricts access to the indoor facility. Allow for two gates total, one which can switch to connect to the building blocking the door and the other a standard gate which gives external access.
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3
Place your posts giving special attention to the gates.
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4
Mount your wire mesh. You can use chainlink material, but that might injure your ostriches' limbs.
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5
Plan and install your ground cover. Grasses are acceptable for the majority of the pen, but mark an area of sand for ostrich rolling. This area should be at least 30 square feet, but it can encompass the entire pen too.
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6
Hang your feeder and waterer in a place that allows internal access for the ostriches and external access for filling.
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Tips & Warnings
Narrowing the pen toward the barn will allow a funnel affect.
Waterers should be 2 to 2 1/2 feet wide and 6 to 10 inches deep.
Mount feeders and waterers at the ostrich's chest height.
The feeders should be 48 inches in length, 12 to 14 inches wide and 4 to 8 inches deep. Feeders should be partitioned to separate different types of feed.
Leave an escape route in the pens. This can be accomplished by leaving a gap in the fence large enough for an adult male to slip through but too small for a full grown ostrich, or a similar sized gap at the bottom of a gate for a person to roll through.
When possible, build shelters away from loud noises or high traffic areas. Sometimes ostriches are easily agitated and aggressive.
