Ostriches are farmed for meat, leather, and feathers, primarily in South Africa. Their welfare needs are poorly understood and management practices are inconsistent.
Ostrich welfare receives little public attention despite significant welfare concerns in the industry. Feather plucking from live ostriches for the fashion industry causes pain and stress and has been documented in ostrich farms. Restricted movement in intensive systems frustrates these large, active birds, leading to aggression and abnormal behaviours. The difficulty of handling ostriches safely creates risks for both birds and farm workers, sometimes resulting in rough handling and injury. Consumer products made from ostrich — particularly leather goods marketed as premium items — are rarely accompanied by welfare assurance. Unlike most food animal sectors, the ostrich industry lacks comprehensive welfare certification schemes in most producing countries.