The ostrich is the largest flightless
egg laying bird alive today. It is indigenous to Trans Sahara Africa and North
Africa with a common order as the Kiwi, Cassowaries, Rheas and Emu.
The bird is huge, beefy and has a
very high commercial value, especially the farmed or hand reared ones. Ostrich
farming is highly lucrative considering production opportunities of every
aspect of the bird.
The meat is identical to beef except
a little redder and is loaded with health benefits. Ostrich farming has other
benefit like low, fat, low cholesterol, large edible eggs.
Others are derivatives like oils,
feathers, meat and its ability to live long. Ostriches have been with us for
over 5000 years if the paintings on the walls of caves are true.
The pictures show domesticated
ostriches used as sport. But today's ostrich farming can be traced back to150
years ago.
The bird’s natural instinct is
flight when threatened but becomes a formidable adversary if cornered. They
become aggressive and have a deadly kick so farm handlers take extra care when
handling the bird.
Did you know that the Ostrich kick can kill a
grown man? They are nomadic in nature cover vast distances and are foragers.
Their adaptability has made ostriches common
in over 59 countries around the world. They also adapt easily to both hot and
cold weather regions such as the desert.
 |
| pixabay.com |
The
African ostrich
Description
Ostrich chicks are identified by
their dark brownish spots. They grow at an incredible 10 inches per month and
attaining a growth of 47kg to 50kg within a single year.
A young female is identified because
of the grayish brown and white plumage. While adult’s ostrich feathers are
usually black with white tail feathers.
The male’s thighs and neck are dark
grey while the females have pink necks. They have very acute eyesight and spot enemies
or prey great distances.
Their natural enemies are the big cats like
lions, tigers and other predators like coyote. They have the ability to out run
their enemies by sprinting with their long two toed legs. They run an astonishing
speed of 70km/ph and can maintain it for 50km.
They have long necks devoid of
feathers, small head and enormous beak. The mouth is toothless and they can grow
to heights of up to 8ft and weigh 65kg to 150kg. And their two toes gives them
good balance in desert conditions
Ostrich
Mating and Nest
Mating
Ostrich reaches sexual maturity
within 2 to 5 years and weigh between 65kg to 150kg and live up to 68 years in
captivity. They are nomadic by nature but can be highly territorial and fight
rigorously for mating rights.
The alpha male mates with several females
however pair bond with only one female. The mating ritual consists of a series
of dances.
The ostrich reaches full sexual maturity in 3
to 4 years although some mate earlier. The mating season usually lasts from
March to September.
Nesting
The male ostrich usually digs the
ground in preparation for the eggs. The nest varies in dept and sizes some
measuring between 15cm to 25cm long and 14cm to 22cm deep.
The females all lay their eggs in a
communal pit sometime numbering 20 eggs in one pit. For the purpose of farming
ostriches the
farmer is advised to use incubators for
better result. Despite the fact that the eggs are clustered in one nest each
female ostrich easily identifies her young.
The Ostrich Egg
The ostrich egg has a thick shell
and weighs about 15kg. It is usually oblong shaped creamed colored and has a
nesting period that ranges between 36 to 48 days.
In the wild only 10% of the eggs
manage or survives the hatching process. In a controlled environment up to 65%
survive the transition.
Both male and female ostriches alternate
their parental duties. The female sits on the eggs during the day while the
male sits on them at night.
Their unique plumage allows this
adoption as defense mechanisms against predators. An ostrich can lay up to 90
eggs within a year.
Habitat
The ostrich originated from Sahara
Africa but can be found in East Africa, North Africa. Other countries are South
Africa, India and United States of America.
Today they are found in desert
semi-desert and cold regions, because of their adaptability to extreme environments.
Some have even become native to Asia and Arabia. They are wide spread in over
50 countries, they are easily farmed anywhere in the world.
Feeding
In the wild the ostrich feeds on
insects like locusts, grass, shrubs, flowers, seeds and animal feed concentrates.
Farmers can feed the ostrich with poultry feeds or specially formulated ostrich
feeds.
Manufactured feed are high in
nutrients that aid rapid growth. There is starter mesh, grow out mesh and adult
mesh feed is given to the ostriches in every stage of their development.
Ostriches don’t possess teeth so they rely on
pebbles and sand to break down food. They gather them in their large gizzards
to grind up the food which in turn is swallowed in a ball.
Ostriches are well adapted to
extreme environments so they can go without water for several days. They also
eat leguminous grass which helps in the digestive process
Economic Benefit of Ostriches
We have said earlier that ostrich
meat is good to eat since it is low in fat, low in cholesterol and has high
nutritional properties. They are easy to raise, resistant to diseases and live
long lives.
Almost the entire ostrich has great
economic value. The Feathers are used to make cushion pillow, hats and
decorations.
The skin is used to make leather bags,
shoes and is believed to be one of the finest leathers around. Oils extracted
are good for cosmetics and skin disorders while the meat has very high
nutritional value.
It also has protein, calcium and iron
including of the low fat/cholesterol. Ostriches are easy to farm than chickens
or goats or even cows.
Cattle farming have a long turn around period
while livestock are prone to various diseases. Ostrich meat yield is better
than cows or live stock.
Ostrich chicks are sold as high as
$150 while an adult can go for as much as $1000. Another advantage is their
longevity and they lay about 90 eggs they also reach full maturity within 2
years reach 50kg very quickly..
Farming Ostriches
You need lots of land running into 3
acres well fenced with corrugated iron sheets. The fence should have barbed
wire and at least 5.8ft high.
Brooding chicks grow out are isolated
in well fenced pens or a very large barn. You should develop a good breading
program, have adequate source of water and incubator for the hatchery.
You need good quality poultry feed,
medication and a qualified veterinarian doctor. Ostrich farming is lucrative business
venture for entrepreneur.
Amount
of meat between cow/ostrich
Gestation
|
cow
278 days
|
ostrich
40
|
offspring
|
1
|
20
|
slaughter
|
640
|
402
|
feed conversion
|
5to1
|
2to1
|
(meat )kg
|
1900
|
1200
|
Species
Although ostriches have a common
ancestry they have slight variations in plumage, sizes, behavior and habitat.
Listed below are a few species of ostrich.
Subspecies
1 S.Struthio Common Ostrich
2 S.C.Autsralis South African
ostrich
3 S.C. Camelus North Afican ostrich
Asia ostrich
4 S.C Massaicus East African ostrich
5 S.C Syriacus Arab ostrich, Middle
East
6 Massi SC Molybdophanes
7 East Africa ostrich
Conclusion
To start your ostrich farm buy a
large parcel of land. Get lots of funding for your business and register your
business name.
Write a comprehensive business plan
to guide your enterprise. Buy ostrich species that do well in your area or
locality.
You need to decide if you want to
farm ostrich for meat or other aspects. Ostrich farming is capital intensive
and you might need local government license to operate.
Do effective marketing to reach
potential customers.
Related Reading How to Start a Diary Farm Business
0 comments:
Post a Comment