From The Times
December 30, 2009

Ostriches choose subzero Britain to hatch eggs

The owners of the birds believe that the three chicks are the first to be born outdoors in Britain in winter

Home Staff

Pet ostriches hatched a brood of chicks on Christmas Day. The birds’ owners, Adrienne and Peter Cresswell, from Kennford, near Exeter, believe that the three chicks are the first to be born outdoors in Britain in winter. The breeding season is between March and October and when 14 eggs were laid in November they were not expected to survive. The ostriches live outdoors and their eggs were incubated in subzero temperatures. “Ostrich eggs are difficult to incubate and are susceptible if they get wet — but the adult birds did it all themselves,” said Mrs Cresswell.