Ostriches hold their heads high
 |
| credit: Global Ostrich, USA |
Ostrich feathers, worn throughout the ages as a status of nobility, are still valued for cleaning fine machinery and equipment. But ostrich meat and hide products are even more valuable today and worldwide supply has yet to meet increasing consumer demand. The ostrich industry has been a viable commercial agricultural industry in South Africa for over a century and, despite competition from farms in Australia and North America, South Africa continues to dominate the world market for ostrich products. However, other tropical countries, particularly in Africa, have the potential to participate in and benefit from this growing industry.
Compared with traditional livestock, ostriches rate very highly in terms of productivity: one female can produce between 30-60 chicks each year for up to 40 years. 250 kg of meat can be obtained from one 'calf' but the total yield in meat from the annual offspring of one ostrich is 1800 kg. This production ability makes ostrich farming an extremely viable and highly economical proposition for developing countries. Ostriches produce a red meat, similar in taste and texture to beef, and in recent years a number of beef producers in Europe and North America have switched to raising ostriches commercially because of higher and faster financial returns. In addition, the protein content is comparable to that of chicken meat but the fat and cholesterol is significantly lower providing an additional marketability for international consumers. Ostrich leather is also thick, durable and extremely soft and is considered to be one of the most luxurious of animal skins. Often placed on a par with crocodile and snake skins, ostrich leather has the added advantage of being a by-product of meat production.
 |
| credit: Global Ostrich, USA |
The highest numbers of ostriches in the world are found in Botswana and many are caught from the wild. However, commercial farming is still in its infancy and South African abattoirs currently carry out slaughtering and processing of birds from commercial farms.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture has approved plans for the construction of a multi-million Pula Ostrich Abattoir, and the Botswana Ostrich Company has also recently been formed to accelerate the development of the industry. In Zimbabwe, ostriches are farmed intensively and slaughtered at 14 months and exports earn substantial foreign currency. In Namibia, ostrich production is expanding rapidly and is helping to fill the gap created by the decline of the country's Karakul sheep industry. Kenya and Tanzania also contribute to ostrich exports from Africa.
Ostriches (Struthio camelus) thrive under extreme conditions: they have a remarkable tolerance to heat and, although they may be found in a variety of open habitats, they are most commonly associated with semi-arid, open and short-grass plains. They are well adapted to survive in poorly vegetated areas and are therefore particularly well suited to arid, marginal regions. In the wild, like camels, ostriches will travel great distances to obtain food and water. For commercial raising of ostriches, supplementary, pelleted food is advisable to provide a balance of required nutrients. Mortalities of young chicks in the wild are thought to be as high as 90%. Both parents are usually involved in rearing young so, for ostrich farming, particular care has to be taken with young chicks to provide a suitable diet and housing to protect against the cold and predators. Sufficient exercise for young chicks is also essential to prevent weakness developing in the legs.
Overall, ostrich farming is one of the most open, free-range farming alternatives available and, on average, a trio of ostriches only requires about 0.25 ha to breed and exercise. So, for farmers with a slightly larger backyard, these birds could prove to be an attractive and profitable venture!
