Ostriches are farmed primarily in South Africa for feathers, leather, and meat in conditions that can cause significant welfare compromise for these large, intelligent birds.
Farmed ostriches face welfare challenges from barren intensive housing systems that prevent natural behaviors, transportation stress, and handling for slaughter. Ostriches are intelligent, social birds with strong pair bonds that are disrupted in commercial farming. Extensive farming systems that allow more natural behavioral expression provide better welfare than intensive operations.