subject: Life On An Ostrich Farm [print this page] The ostrich is the largest living bird in the world with the adult males weighing over 100kgs and the females being slightly smaller. Due to their reduced wing size and huge bodies, they are incapable of flying, but they are capable of running up to seventy kilometers per hour with their strong legs.
Ostriches have aroused the interest of humans since ancient times. They have been hunted for their flesh and feathers for many hundred years. Their meat is considered to be far better than other type of meat as they contain high protein and less fat and cholesterol. Ostrich feathers have a wide range of uses. Ostrich feathers can be used in decorations as well as in cleaning fine machinery. They are also often used in the fashion industry. In the past, ostriches were killed in such large numbers for their feathers in Africa that they reached the point of extinction. This gave birth to the ostrich farming industry.
The ostrich farming industry started in South Africa in 1864. The main purpose of starting this industry was to raise ostriches to sell their feathers. Ostrich feathers are highly prized. Feathers of females and males are collected separately using three different methods. These include plucking, clipping and quilling. However, it is important that certain specific principles are followed when using any of these methods to remove ostrich feathers to ensure that it does not cause any pain to them.
In South Africa, mostly those birds with high quality feathers are bred on farms. The reproduction cycle of these birds begin when they reach sexual maturity which can range from 2-4 years. The mating season usually begins sometimes in April and ends in September. Most breeders allow the selection to occur naturally and once selection has taken place, the bonded pair is separated. The first egg is laid about two weeks after mating and from then, the female lays one egg each day or every second day until there are about 10-15 eggs. Both the male and female take turns to incubate the eggs, but the males usually do their shift during the night time. On ostrich farms, humidity is very important during the incubation period to ensure that the eggs lose a certain amount of water before they are transferred to the hatcher. Incubation period lasts for an average of 42 days. Weekly weighing is carried out to determine weight loss and computer software has also been developed to help with this. Candling of eggs is also done every week to identify dead or fertile eggs.
Eggs are transferred to the hatcher after they have internally pipped. This occurs 1-2 days before hatching. When chicks are hatched, they are removed from the hatcher and since they are not able to thermoregulate, an external heat source is provided. There are many commercial feed companies which produce breeder rations containing additional calcium. Ostriches on farms are fed these rations which are available in pellet or mash form.
The ostrich is a versatile bird as it can produce large number high quality goods. Ostrich feathers can be first plucked when they are between 6-8 months old. The second plucking can take place after about 9 months. In fact, ostrich feathers can be plucked every 9 months. The feathers from the first and second plucking are of less value, but as the bird matures, it grows really fine feathers which are of more value.
