Ostrich farming (Struthio camelus) under the climatic conditions of Hessia- analysis of meteorological data for the application of the BML(2 ')s expert recommendation concerning ostriches (1996).

A report is given on an analysis of meteorological data on five locations i n the region of Hessia in order to apply the BML's expert recommendation co ncerning ostrich farming. According to this recommendation black ice, very strong frost and continous rain should not make it necessary to keep the an imals in pens longer than 3 days or more often than 10 days per month. Othe rwise a dry paddock must be provided. It was investigated whether and how o ften the above mentioned weather conditions exceeded the critical duration or frequency in the last decades at the different locations. Previously the weather related terms which were used in the BML-recommendation were defin ed more precisely in order to provide an objective basis for the analysis. Frequent periods of frost lasting longer than 3 days with temperatures belo w -5 degrees C were found to be a critical factor. They occured in 79 to 90 % of the winter seasons under investigation, although the climate was thou ght to be rather mild in comparison to other regions. Frost can not be reme died by a dry paddock. Therefore the locations in question are not suitable for ostrich farming. The same conclusion holds at least for all locations with a colder climate. Black ice occured only scarcely. At none of the inve stigated locations periods of continuous rain were longer than 3 days or oc cured more often than 10 days per month. This result might not only be due to the given climatic conditions but also due to methodological reasons. It seems that the meteorological definition of continuous rain is too restric ted to take the relevant precipitation for ostriches into account. It is su ggested to find a new definition and consider factors like humidity and win d speed as well.