Farmed Ostrich Welfare: Large Ratites with Specific Needs

Ostriches farmed for meat, leather, and feathers have distinct behavioral and spatial requirements that intensive production systems frequently fail to meet.

Key Facts

Ostriches can run at 70 km/h and require large spaces for exercise, mating displays, and normal social behavior
Intensive ostrich housing without adequate running space causes leg weakness and injury
Ostriches are social birds requiring appropriate group compositions — unpaired males in breeding groups cause conflict
Feather plucking from live ostriches — for fashion feathers — causes pain and stress that is banned in some jurisdictions
Ostriches are sensitive to temperature extremes and require shade provision in hot climates
South Africa produces most of the world's ostrich products; welfare standards vary significantly between farms

Welfare Considerations

Ostrich welfare receives very limited attention despite significant global production for leather, meat, and feathers. The animals' size, speed, and behavioral complexity — including elaborate mating displays, territorial behavior, and running as a primary stress response — are poorly accommodated in intensive systems. Live feather plucking, inadequate space for running and displaying, and inappropriate social group compositions together create multiple welfare deficits. Consumer awareness about ostrich welfare, combined with certification scheme development, could drive meaningful improvement in a sector with almost no current welfare governance.

What You Can Do

Avoid ostrich leather and fashion feather products unless welfare certification can be verified
Support campaigns working to ban live feather plucking from ostriches in all producing countries
Ask fashion brands about the welfare standards of their ostrich product supply chains
Advocate for ostrich farming to be included in farm animal welfare regulations in major producing countries