Ostrich farming produces meat, leather, and feathers globally. Their welfare needs as large, intelligent, social birds are often poorly understood and met.
Ostrich welfare in farming contexts is shaped by the same tensions present across all farmed species — natural behavioral needs versus production efficiency. Ostriches are prey animals that respond dramatically to novel stimuli and handling stress. Capture and restraint for veterinary procedures or feather harvesting causes acute fear responses and injury risk to both birds and handlers. In dense housing, redirected aggression causes injuries and welfare compromise. The live plucking of feathers — removing immature, blood-rich feathers before they fully develop — is particularly harmful. Welfare-positive ostrich farming provides adequate space, appropriate social grouping, and humane methods for necessary procedures.