How To Raise Ostrich For Profits

Long term planning is essential in ostrich farming and the farmer must have a thorough knowledge of the whole industry .Success in ostrich farming is largely dependent on the choices that are made, thus good management is critical.

The ostrich (Struthio camelius) is a member of the ratite family (flightless birds), that is indigenous to Africa, Syria and Arabia; at present wild ostriches are only found in Africa.

From antiquity, ostriches have provided human beings with food, clothing, utensils and adornment. They were also persecuted for their meat, skin, feathers and eggs because all of this was invaluable, hence the wild ostriches were hunted and killed.

A research was made and it was proclaimed that to protect wild ostriches have been hunted to extinction. Wild ostrich feathers were exported but at a significantly higher price due to the demand.

It is advisable to approach experts in the choice of a system during planning of an ostrich enterprise, but it is strongly recommended that experts are regularly consulted for advice – to ensure optimal profitability.

North African red neck ostrich + Native South African blue neck ostrich = South African black neck ostrich strain.

Ostriches are smart, confident and driven birds, who tend to be very aggressive when they feel they are in danger or when protecting their eggs.

1. Natural – Breeding pairs – one male and one female are placed in a breeding paddock of about a quarter hectare.
3. The breeding pair is allowed to lay eggs, incubate them, and rear the chicks up to the age of three months. Full rations and water are provided in the paddock; also note that breeding pairs differs in their breeding and rearing capabilities.
5. A maximum of 25 chicks can be reared by one breeding pair if no extra shelter is provided. The breeding pair will also rear chicks from other birds, provided that these chicks are the same size or smaller, than their own chicks.
7. Breeding Pairs plus incubator- selected breeding pairs are allowed to incubate their eggs, whereas the eggs of other pairs are collected and artificially incubated.
9. The chicks from the incubator are then placed with the chicks incubated by the selected breeding pairs. In this instance the norm of 25 chicks per breeding pair still holds.
11. The success of such a system is largely dependent upon the type of housing and management, as breeding pairs by themselves are unable to shelter and take care of such a large number of chicks – especially during periods of inclement weather.

Artificial incubation of eggs

In this system all eggs are collected and artificially incubated. The eggs are collected from free-mating ostrich flocks of various sizes, breeding pairs or breeding trios (one male with two females).Breeding trios may be used and they also produce good result

Artificial rearing of ostriches

This system applies mainly to entrepreneurs who buy and rear chicks up to different ages, for example 0-3 months, 0-6 months, or to slaughter age. Artificial rearing of chicks is sustained with good management as it is very important.
With regard to bio security it is imperative to limit movement of ostriches because in this aspect, a closed system is used, whereby the chicks can be reared from day-old to slaughter which is the best option to prevent disease spread and risk.

Feeding and feeding behaviour

Ostrich feed on about 2.5kg of food per day. Their diet consists of roots, leaves and seeds, and they love alfalfa (lucerne). They eat whatever is available because sometimes ostriches can consume snakes, insects, lizards, and rodents. To aid in digestion they also swallow sand and pebbles too.

Feed mixtures for ostriches are formulated and never feed more than 900 grams feed of starter formula. Ostriches feed on pre-starter, starter, grower, finisher, slaughter feed, maintenance, and breeder. How To Raise Ostrich These formulated feeds have a specific nutrition value needed to sustain rapid growth and health on ostriches.Clean, good quality water should be available to birds at all times.

It is particularly important that water given to chicks be of high quality. Water usage per day is approximately 2.5 litres/kg dry feed. Consider a fully balanced ration for breeding ostriches when feeding; otherwise this will result in negative effect of reproduction and efficiency of the bird.

Feeding strategies

Ostriches are reared extensively (i.e. birds are exclusively dependent on natural grazing and/or cultivated pasture), semi intensively (i.e. birds foraging on natural veld or cultivated pasture and getting concentrate as supplement) or intensively (i.e. where a comprehensive balanced feed is provided

Reproduction Norms

The production rate of growing ostriches is dependent upon the nutritional composition of the feed, so ostriches developed a reproduction strategy that will ensure the survival of their progeny for when food is abundant and they environment favours their offspring survival.Ostriches have very specific behavioural requirements that need to be accommodated in breeding systems. Walking, chasing and kantling are exhibited to protect territories by male ostriches and once they mate, the male will search for a suitable place to create a nest for the female, normally after the first mating has occurred.

The hen usually lays her egg in the early morning (before 8am) and late afternoon (after 4pm). Both cock and hen sometimes display clucking/broody behaviour next to a nest; it is usually associated with the presence of eggs or the male’s solicitation towards the female to produce an egg.

Ostrich produce

Ostrich is characterized by three product phases, which is meat, leather and feathers and the current main source of income is meat and leather. The value of a slaughtered ostrich is broken down into 45% skin, 45% meat and 10% feather in South Africa.

Local consumption
Local consumption comes in all sorts of forms, with wors (sausage) and biltong (dried and spiced meat) being among the favourites. Production of ostrich meat constituted 65% of income derived from an ostrich. People have beef accustomed to chicken meat, gradually exposing themselves to other types of meat, and ostrich meat is exotic and seasonal.

Ostrich products (leather, meat, feathers and curios) are marketed locally and exported through a free market system. The main market for ostrich meat is restaurants, wholesalers, supermarkets and foodservice suppliers, the market for ostrich leather includes the clothing, fashion and upholstery industries and for feathers the household, fashion and carnival markets.

Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about raising ostriches for profit:

General Questions

1. Is ostrich farming profitable?
   • Yes, if managed properly, ostrich farming can be profitable due to high demand for meat, leather, feathers, and oil.
2. What are the main products from ostrich farming?
   • Meat (lean, healthy red meat), leather (luxury goods), feathers (fashion/decor), and oil (cosmetics/health products).
3. How much space do ostriches need?
   • Ostriches require at least 1 acre per pair to roam comfortably, as they are large, active birds.

Starting an Ostrich Farm

4. How do I start an ostrich farm?
   • Research regulations, secure land, build proper fencing, buy healthy chicks or breeding pairs, and set up feeding/water systems.
5. Where can I buy ostriches?
   • Reputable breeders, auctions, or farms specializing in ostrich production. Ensure they are disease-free.
6. What are the startup costs for an ostrich farm?
   • Costs vary but include land, fencing, shelters, feed, chicks (200–200–500 each), and veterinary care (5,000–5,000–50,000+ depending on scale).

Care & Management

7. What do ostriches eat?
   • Commercial ostrich feed, grains, greens, and supplements. They also forage for plants and insects.
8. How long does it take for an ostrich to mature?
   • Ostriches reach slaughter weight (200–250 lbs) in 10–14 months; breeding maturity is 2–3 years.
9. What are common health issues in ostriches?
   • Parasites, respiratory infections, leg problems, and digestive issues. Regular vet check-ups are essential.

Breeding & Reproduction

10. How many eggs does an ostrich lay per year?

• A female lays 40–60 eggs/year under good conditions, with an incubation period of 42 days.

11. Can I hatch ostrich eggs artificially?

• Yes, using an industrial incubator with controlled temperature (97–99°F) and humidity (25–35%).

Marketing & Sales

12. Who buys ostrich products?

• Restaurants (meat), tanneries (leather), fashion brands (feathers), and cosmetic companies (oil).

13. How much does ostrich meat sell for?

• Ostrich meat sells for 10–10–25 per pound (higher than beef) due to its premium health benefits.

14. Is there a demand for ostrich products?

• Yes, especially in high-end markets, health-conscious consumers, and luxury goods industries.

Challenges & Risks

15. What are the biggest challenges in ostrich farming?

• High initial costs, strict regulations, disease management, and finding reliable buyers for products.