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Ostrich Farming - An Agricultural Alternative
This publication was developed by the Small and Part-time Farming Project at Penn State
with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Extension Service.
The ostrich, a flightless bird that belongs to the ratite family and originates from Africa, is the world's oldest and largest living bird.
When fully grown, the ostrich can weigh as much as 450 pounds and stand eight-feet-tall. Although ostrich farming faded in the United States during the early 1930s, it is now the world's fastest growing agricultural alternative.
Ostrich farming has become popular in most areas of the United States and farms can be found all the way from Alaska to the southern areas of Florida.
Ostrich production can be adopted by small-scale and part-time farmers with adequate investment capital because land and husbandry requirements are minimal.
Marketing As with any business, the ostrich producer needs to research the markets for his/her product before it is produced. The major market for ostriches used to be breeding stock and this has now changed into the commercial slaughter market.
In order for the ostrich industry to become a fully-integrated and viable agricultural enterprise, the markets for leather, meat, and feathers need to be constantly developed.
The ostrich produces numerous marketable products:
Ostriches On Line have a comprehensive line of all the above products in The World's Largest Ostrich Shop and you may order everything on-line.
Establishing your operation An ostrich operation can be established in several ways. Evaluate the following options and decide which one is best for you.
Consider the following:
These sample budgets should help ensure that all costs and receipts are included in your calculations. Costs and returns are often difficult to estimate in budget preparation because they are numerous and variable. Therefore, you should think of these budgets as an approximation and then make appropriate adjustments using the -Your Estimate + column to reflect specific situations.
From these sample budgets, it appears that if you can sell in the breeder market you may be able to realise substantial profits, however, this highly profitable phase is now over in the USA so a more realistic approach will be within the commercial slaughter market.
Very few birds can be sold in the breeder market and the extent to which this market can be further expanded is not known.
If you are planning to start an ostrich, Emu or Rhea Farm then the Ratite Business Plan® Software is an ideal starting reference.
The Ratite Business Plan® Software is a custom-made computer program designed to help you put together a professional and comprehensive sales, marketing and business plan.
Specially written for the ostrich and ratite industry, Ostriches On Line have assembled hundreds of pages of information and business spread-sheets covering every aspect of starting and running a profitable ostrich business for the next 5 years.
For anyone considering an entry into the ostrich or ratite business this software will provide answers to almost all the frequently asked start up financial, sales and marketing questions for you, your bank and your financial backers or lenders.
We have received hundreds of commendation letters regarding this program and you may order your personal copy of the Ratite Business Plan® Software here
Incubating The process of hatching can be very rewarding as well as very frustrating.
Incubator costs range from $1,000 to $25,000. For the beginner, it may be more profitable to have a custom hatcher who has experience with ostrich eggs do the hatching.
If you wish to do your own hatching, visit the Ostriches On Line equipment index which has a full range of all the necessary capital equipment you need to start and run a successful ostrich farm.
Housing and Fencing Each pair of ostriches should be considered individually, but the following recommendations can be used as guidelines for fencing, pen size, and shelter.
Ostriches require high tensile or mesh fence that will not allow them to get their heads or legs caught. Red neck and Blue neck ostriches are aggressive and will bite or nip. African Black Domesticated ostriches on the other hand are rarely aggressive.
Ostriches will reach over, through, and under any type of fence if possible, and can hurt themselves if their necks or legs get caught. Ostriches can grow to more than eight feet tall so the fencing should be at least six-feet high around a recommended running area of one to three acres.
Ostriches need shelter from the extreme cold of winter and heat of summer. The shelter is best placed inside the fenced area where ostriches will have free access.
The design of the shelter can range from a plywood three-sided building to a small barn that can be heated if necessary. A shelter measuring 20 feet by 20 feet is adequate for a breeder pair.
Ostriches drink a lot of water so a year-round supply of fresh, clean water is required.
Managing for health and productivity Ostriches have developed unique characteristics in order to adapt and survive.
These characteristics make ostriches different from other birds in terms of management and nutrition. To ensure that your ostriches are healthy and productive, you should practice appropriate management techniques.
Consider the following:
Hatchlings
Hens will start laying anywhere from 18 to 36 months of age.
Hens tend to mature earlier than males. The breeding season in the Northern Hemisphere is between February and August.
The female can lay up to 100+ eggs per year; the egg incubation process takes approximately six weeks.
Prepared by Zoann Parker, associate extension agent, George L. Greaser, senior research associate in agricultural economics, and Jayson K. Harper, assistant professor of agricultural economics.
The ostrich, a flightless bird that belongs to the ratite family and originates from Africa, is the world's oldest and largest living bird.
When fully grown, the ostrich can weigh as much as 450 pounds and stand eight-feet-tall. Although ostrich farming faded in the United States during the early 1930s, it is now the world's fastest growing agricultural alternative.
Ostrich farming has become popular in most areas of the United States and farms can be found all the way from Alaska to the southern areas of Florida.
Ostrich production can be adopted by small-scale and part-time farmers with adequate investment capital because land and husbandry requirements are minimal.
Marketing As with any business, the ostrich producer needs to research the markets for his/her product before it is produced. The major market for ostriches used to be breeding stock and this has now changed into the commercial slaughter market.
In order for the ostrich industry to become a fully-integrated and viable agricultural enterprise, the markets for leather, meat, and feathers need to be constantly developed.
The ostrich produces numerous marketable products:
- The skin or hide which is soft and durable. The ostrich hide is the world's strongest commercially available leather. Only elephant leather is stronger and this is not commercially available.
- Ostrich meat - a red meat which is similar to beef in taste and texture without the fat, calories or cholesterol. An ideal healthy alternative for anyone who is concerned about their fat, cholesterol and calorie intake.
- Ostrich feathers - the finest plumes are found in decorations, masks, fans, canrnivals and smaller feathers are ideal for use in dusters.
- Ostrich eggs are used for decoration, painting and scrimmaging.
- Ostrich bones and feet are being used as calcium supplements in animal feed.
- Ostrich oil with therapeutic properties is used in skin care products and cosmetics.
Ostriches On Line have a comprehensive line of all the above products in The World's Largest Ostrich Shop and you may order everything on-line.
Establishing your operation An ostrich operation can be established in several ways. Evaluate the following options and decide which one is best for you.
Consider the following:
- The producer can purchase and incubate eggs. This method is lowest in cost, but also highest in risk. Ostrich eggs are white and easily candled; their fertility can be guaranteed once incubation is started. However, a sound knowledge of ostrich egg incubation is required for a successful hatch.
- The producer can purchase chicks more than three months old (the highest mortality rate is from one day to three months). Although more expensive than purchasing eggs or hatchlings, the purchase of chicks at this age will probably prove more cost effective because the mortality rate is greatly reduced after the age of three months.
- The producer can purchase yearlings or young adults. While yearlings are more expensive than chicks, yearlings should be productive within two years.
- The most costly method is the purchase of proven breeders, pairs of birds that have produced fertile eggs together. This method of buying will allow production to begin in the next season.
These sample budgets should help ensure that all costs and receipts are included in your calculations. Costs and returns are often difficult to estimate in budget preparation because they are numerous and variable. Therefore, you should think of these budgets as an approximation and then make appropriate adjustments using the -Your Estimate + column to reflect specific situations.
From these sample budgets, it appears that if you can sell in the breeder market you may be able to realise substantial profits, however, this highly profitable phase is now over in the USA so a more realistic approach will be within the commercial slaughter market.
Very few birds can be sold in the breeder market and the extent to which this market can be further expanded is not known.
If you are planning to start an ostrich, Emu or Rhea Farm then the Ratite Business Plan® Software is an ideal starting reference.
The Ratite Business Plan® Software is a custom-made computer program designed to help you put together a professional and comprehensive sales, marketing and business plan.
Specially written for the ostrich and ratite industry, Ostriches On Line have assembled hundreds of pages of information and business spread-sheets covering every aspect of starting and running a profitable ostrich business for the next 5 years.
For anyone considering an entry into the ostrich or ratite business this software will provide answers to almost all the frequently asked start up financial, sales and marketing questions for you, your bank and your financial backers or lenders.
We have received hundreds of commendation letters regarding this program and you may order your personal copy of the Ratite Business Plan® Software here
Incubating The process of hatching can be very rewarding as well as very frustrating.
Incubator costs range from $1,000 to $25,000. For the beginner, it may be more profitable to have a custom hatcher who has experience with ostrich eggs do the hatching.
If you wish to do your own hatching, visit the Ostriches On Line equipment index which has a full range of all the necessary capital equipment you need to start and run a successful ostrich farm.
Housing and Fencing Each pair of ostriches should be considered individually, but the following recommendations can be used as guidelines for fencing, pen size, and shelter.
Ostriches require high tensile or mesh fence that will not allow them to get their heads or legs caught. Red neck and Blue neck ostriches are aggressive and will bite or nip. African Black Domesticated ostriches on the other hand are rarely aggressive.
Ostriches will reach over, through, and under any type of fence if possible, and can hurt themselves if their necks or legs get caught. Ostriches can grow to more than eight feet tall so the fencing should be at least six-feet high around a recommended running area of one to three acres.
Ostriches need shelter from the extreme cold of winter and heat of summer. The shelter is best placed inside the fenced area where ostriches will have free access.
The design of the shelter can range from a plywood three-sided building to a small barn that can be heated if necessary. A shelter measuring 20 feet by 20 feet is adequate for a breeder pair.
Ostriches drink a lot of water so a year-round supply of fresh, clean water is required.
Managing for health and productivity Ostriches have developed unique characteristics in order to adapt and survive.
These characteristics make ostriches different from other birds in terms of management and nutrition. To ensure that your ostriches are healthy and productive, you should practice appropriate management techniques.
Consider the following:
- When changing from one feed to another, do so gradually over a ten-day period.
- Make certain your birds get enough exercise. Exercise helps to prevent leg problems and decrease the incidence of impactions.
- Minimize moving birds from one location to another, either within the same production unit or to another.
- Carefully check pens for and remove any object that can be picked up and swallowed.
Hatchlings
- Hatching to two days of age. Provide water and start chicks on a good quality ostrich chick starter ration containing at least 26 percent protein. Chicks should receive continuous light.
- All hatchlings should receive probiotics. Probiotics and Microbials have been shown to significantly enhance the growth of all ostrich chicks as well as substantially reduce death rate.
- The first week after hatching it is imperative that the yolk sac be completely absorbed. Running seems to help the chick absorb the yolk sac. This is the most difficult stage in raising ostriches. Chicks will eat anything and tend to eat too much. Impaction is the most common reason for death. Continue with the probiotics.
- Two days after hatch to approximately six months of age. Feed a good starter crumble either from the ratite rations developed by certain feed companies or mix your own with at least 26 percent protein. Continue with a regular addition of probiotics.
- Chicks should receive the starter crumble ration at all times during the first three weeks. After the first three weeks, feed all they can consume in two, short (20 minutes), daily feeding periods. Alfalfa pellets should be available on a continuous basis.
- Vitamins and electrolytes for poultry should be added to the drinking water at the recommended level for the first two to three weeks of age as well as probiotics as referred to above.
- Six months to approximately 18 months of age. Use a commercial ratite grower feed or mix your own grower feed. Protein should be 24 to 26 percent and fibre should be 11 to 12 percent when the birds are not on grass.
- When the birds are sexually mature. Use a layer ration or a breeder ration from a commercial ratite feed company and supplemental alfalfa pellets or cubes. Pellets or cubes are less wasteful and easier to feed than hay.
- Always have clean water available to all birds at all stages of development. Waterers should be rinsed daily and scrubbed with soap and water every three days. Grit is also essential to an ostrich diet. Small stones or commercial grit is best.
- African Black Domesticated
- Blue
- Red
Hens will start laying anywhere from 18 to 36 months of age.
Hens tend to mature earlier than males. The breeding season in the Northern Hemisphere is between February and August.
The female can lay up to 100+ eggs per year; the egg incubation process takes approximately six weeks.
Prepared by Zoann Parker, associate extension agent, George L. Greaser, senior research associate in agricultural economics, and Jayson K. Harper, assistant professor of agricultural economics.