an unusual stampede
hanging around
an hygenic situation!
a perplexing choice for foreign consumers
growth of the birds under thorough computer observation
a general view of an osterich farm
In the suburbs of Pyongyang, capital city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea newly appeared a stock farm hardly seen before. It was built on February Juche 91(2002).
Occupying 550,000 square metres of floor space and 91,200 square metres of total building area, the farm keeps ostriches from African tropical deserts, providing a "small kingdom" for the happy life of the birds. On both sides of a highway and a river runs of thousands of ostriches are settled in the picturesque area by the hillocks.
The farm is well furnished with a hatchery equipped with scores of artificial incubators, dozens of buildings for breeding ostriches, chicks and fattening.
All the roads in the compound are asphalt-paved and farm buildings nestled side by side in woods of various kinds of flower plants, maple trees and white birches.
Ostrich runs have extensive outside grass fields for playground and the buildings have double walls and ceilings. The facades of the buildings are exposed direct to the sun all day long.
Ostrich eggs weigh 1.6 kilogrammes on average and some even weigh over two kilogrammes.
The farm breeds mainly African black ostriches and blue-necked ones; they grow for 12-14 months to weigh 120-130 kilogrammes.
It has also ostrich meat processing factory, where processed goods are vacuum-packed. The processed leathers meet the demand of consumers.
The farm is operated on a scientific basis, all the management and breeding activities done by computers.
It has also a modern feed processing shop and a fodder base of 1,200 hectares.
Ostrich meat and eggs produced at the farm are supplied to the Pyongyang citizens.
Restaurants specializing in ostrich roast meat and other dishes are established everywhere in the city.
Ostrich plumes are made into scarves, fans and cushions; its leather into shoes or bags of high grade. Its eggshells are used for making craftworks or ornaments. They are all favourably commented.
The produced goods are also exported to foreign countries.
By Choe Pong Chol
