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Breeding Season
The breeding season for ostriches in the Northern Hemisphere begins in March or April and can
last until September in the northern parts of the USA and until late October in the South.
The breeding season in the Southern Hemisphere begins in September and can last until February or March in areas near the equator.
Breeding season length largely depends on food availability, bird condition, and weather. Approximately two months prior to the beginning of the breeding season birds should be separated into breeding pairs. Groups of one male and two female birds can also be penned together.
Bird condition is important as unhealthy and improperly conditioned birds will often be less productive egg layers.
Courtship of ostriches involves elaborate displays by both sexes. Shortly after mating, the female will lay between 15 to 20 eggs. Generally, females will lay an egg every other day.
If the eggs are taken from the nest daily, the hen may lay up to 90 eggs, although 40-to-50 is more typical.
An inadequate diet may result in less egg production. Ostrich eggs are the largest of all eggs and weigh about 2.75 pounds. The contents of one ostrich egg is equivalent to two dozen chicken eggs.
Breeding Paddock Ostriches prefer larger paddocks; however, oversized paddocks can cause birds to become more wild, skittish and harder to control.
A good paddock size for a breeding pair is 1 to 3 acres (0.5 - 1.25 hectares).
Planting the paddock to alfalfa will allow the birds to have quality forage for grazing. A few trees or shrubs for shade and privacy are advised.
The paddock should be enclosed with 5-foot high wire fence. There should be a double fence between two paddocks, with at least 6 feet between fences, to prevent males (particularly red necks) from injuring themselves if they fight.
Four-to-five strands of 8 gauge smooth wire is sufficient with posts spaced 10 feet apart. Never use barbed wire as birds will inevitably do serious harm to themselves.
A hedge or windbreaker is also good between pens to provide more privacy during courtship displays.
The pen should have an area about 25 square feet by 6 inches deep of clean sand for the birds to roll in.
Ostriches are hardy birds; however, they do require protection from snow, ice, extreme wind, cold rain, and sleet. Paddocks should be designed so birds have to access a shelter (confinement pen) to obtain feed and water.
Pens designed in this manner simplify the task of catching and restraining the birds.
Also, having feed and water in the shelter protects it from the elements. Feeders and watercress should be positioned so that managers can access them without exposing themselves to overly aggressive ostriches.
While not prone to aggressive behavior, ostriches may become more aggressive during the breeding season.
Feeders should be open-type measuring about 48 inches long by 14 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep. Feeders should be partitioned into equal sections; one containing a ratite breeder ration, one containing shelled corn, and one containing oyster shell.
A one day supply of breeder ration and shelled corn should be placed in the feed box. The water pan should be 24 to 30 inches wide and 5 to 8 inches deep.
Ostriches drink by scooping water with their beak. Therefore, they need a depth of water sufficient to immerse their beak and a long enough distance to move across to adequately drink.
Feeders and watercress should be mounted at the bird's chest height.
The breeding season in the Southern Hemisphere begins in September and can last until February or March in areas near the equator.
Breeding season length largely depends on food availability, bird condition, and weather. Approximately two months prior to the beginning of the breeding season birds should be separated into breeding pairs. Groups of one male and two female birds can also be penned together.
Bird condition is important as unhealthy and improperly conditioned birds will often be less productive egg layers.
Courtship of ostriches involves elaborate displays by both sexes. Shortly after mating, the female will lay between 15 to 20 eggs. Generally, females will lay an egg every other day.
If the eggs are taken from the nest daily, the hen may lay up to 90 eggs, although 40-to-50 is more typical.
An inadequate diet may result in less egg production. Ostrich eggs are the largest of all eggs and weigh about 2.75 pounds. The contents of one ostrich egg is equivalent to two dozen chicken eggs.
Breeding Paddock Ostriches prefer larger paddocks; however, oversized paddocks can cause birds to become more wild, skittish and harder to control.
A good paddock size for a breeding pair is 1 to 3 acres (0.5 - 1.25 hectares).
Planting the paddock to alfalfa will allow the birds to have quality forage for grazing. A few trees or shrubs for shade and privacy are advised.
The paddock should be enclosed with 5-foot high wire fence. There should be a double fence between two paddocks, with at least 6 feet between fences, to prevent males (particularly red necks) from injuring themselves if they fight.
Four-to-five strands of 8 gauge smooth wire is sufficient with posts spaced 10 feet apart. Never use barbed wire as birds will inevitably do serious harm to themselves.
A hedge or windbreaker is also good between pens to provide more privacy during courtship displays.
The pen should have an area about 25 square feet by 6 inches deep of clean sand for the birds to roll in.
Ostriches are hardy birds; however, they do require protection from snow, ice, extreme wind, cold rain, and sleet. Paddocks should be designed so birds have to access a shelter (confinement pen) to obtain feed and water.
Pens designed in this manner simplify the task of catching and restraining the birds.
Also, having feed and water in the shelter protects it from the elements. Feeders and watercress should be positioned so that managers can access them without exposing themselves to overly aggressive ostriches.
While not prone to aggressive behavior, ostriches may become more aggressive during the breeding season.
Feeders should be open-type measuring about 48 inches long by 14 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep. Feeders should be partitioned into equal sections; one containing a ratite breeder ration, one containing shelled corn, and one containing oyster shell.
A one day supply of breeder ration and shelled corn should be placed in the feed box. The water pan should be 24 to 30 inches wide and 5 to 8 inches deep.
Ostriches drink by scooping water with their beak. Therefore, they need a depth of water sufficient to immerse their beak and a long enough distance to move across to adequately drink.
Feeders and watercress should be mounted at the bird's chest height.