Ostrich farming for leather, feathers, and meat occurs primarily in South Africa and involves species-specific welfare challenges for highly social, cursorial birds.
Ostrich welfare in intensive farming is compromised primarily by movement restriction for an animal that has evolved for speed and distance. Ostriches in confinement pace stereotypically along fence lines — a behavior indicator of chronic frustration analogous to pacing in zoo carnivores. Luxury ostrich leather drives intensive production practices. The welfare case for rejecting ostrich leather products is clear given available plant-based alternatives.