Ostriches are farmed globally for meat, leather, and feathers. As highly intelligent and sensitive birds, their welfare needs are complex and frequently unmet in commercial settings.
Ostrich farming presents serious welfare challenges. These birds evolved for vast open spaces and fast movement; commercial farming typically confines them in paddocks a fraction of the size they would naturally inhabit. Stress-related mortality during transport and slaughter is a significant problem — the species' extreme fear response means that rough handling triggers fatal physiological collapse. Live feather plucking, still used to harvest ostrich feathers for fashion and decoration, causes acute pain and significant feather follicle damage. Welfare certification schemes for ostriches lag behind those for chickens and pigs. Consumers have little visibility into farming conditions when purchasing ostrich leather, meat, or feather products.