Typical images of farms typically include cows and corn, but there are many other types of farms as well. But how to farm ostrich? There are a lot of potential benefits to ostrich farming. Ostriches, as reported by Mother Earth News, have a much more resource-efficient meat production and consumption ratio than beef cattle. Ostrich farms can be profitable with relatively little land and in a number of ways.
You may also want to read about the best chicken feed.
What purposes are there with farming ostrich?
Professional farmers who raise ostriches for their meat or feathers do so because these birds are valuable livestock. Ostrich farms with as few as three birds can be as tiny as an acre or even less. Farmers may choose to raise chicks or mature ostriches not only for the sale of the animals themselves to breeders, enthusiasts, and other farmers, but also for the production of commercial goods such as:
Feathers
Since ostriches’ feathers grow back and the process of plucking them causes no harm to the bird, raising them for their feathers can be a sustainable form of livestock farming. Ostrich feathers are highly prized by many people because of their practicality as dusters. Ostrich feathers are highly sought after by fashion and costume designers for their decorative value.
Hides
Hides are animal skins that are typically processed into leather. One ostrich has the potential to produce 50 square meters of leather due to its dappled appearance, marketable qualities, and high yield potential. In general, leather made from ostrich hides is supple, adaptable, and long-lasting. Ostrich hides are considered a luxury good because of these characteristics, in addition to their unique appearance. Indeed, ostrich leather is used in the creation of luxury goods by a number of well-known designers.
The combination of meat and eggs
Because of their enormous size (equivalent to more than 20 chicken eggs), most ostrich eggs are sold empty for use in decorative or artistic purposes, though some farms do offer eggs that can be eaten. As a commercially viable food source, ostrich meat is often marketed as a leaner alternative to beef. Meat from ostriches is much lower in fat and cholesterol than meat from other animals.
How to farm ostrich, 5 easy steps:
First, to generate income for farm ostrich, you must choose which ostrich products to sell. Earnings can be boosted by selling either ostrich meat or ostrich hide. Even though ostriches are killed for their meat, their eggs and feathers are also valuable commodities.
Step 2: Look for a suitable piece of land to set up your ostrich ranch. Depending on their size, ostriches need between one and three acres of space to roam freely and maintain good health. Construct a basic shelter to shield the ostriches from bad weather, and enclose the area with a fence to keep them in.
Third, be sure the ostrich farm has plenty to eat and drink. It is not uncommon for large birds to consume several gallons of water daily. Be sure the water supply is always clean. Get some feed that’s made especially for ostriches. Grow crops and grasses for the ostriches to graze on as an alternative.
The fourth step is to settle on an ostrich breed to tend. Ostriches come in three main varieties: the red-necked, the blue-necked, and the African black. African black ostriches are smaller and less aggressive than their red- and blue-necked counterparts. African black ostriches are a great choice for first-time farmers.
Five, Get Some Ostriches! There are unhatched eggs, baby chicks, and grown ostriches for you to choose from. To properly raise an unhatched egg or a young chick, you will need a lot of time and expertise, but the initial investment is low. It takes less time for an adult ostrich to start laying eggs, but they are more expensive to buy initially.