Ostrich farming for meat, leather, and feathers raises specific welfare concerns related to their large size, speed requirements, and sensitivity to stress during handling.
Ostrich welfare in farming requires space adequate for their speed and locomotion needs, as restriction in small pens denies behaviors fundamental to their nature. Handling stress management is critical because ostriches are prone to fatal capture myopathy when severely stressed during restraint. Low-stress handling systems using visual barriers, gradual approach, and experienced handlers significantly reduce both welfare harms and production losses from stressed animals. Slaughter welfare for ostriches requires species-appropriate stunning that rapidly achieves insensibility for a bird with a powerful kick reflex. Long production periods for feather and leather harvesting mean individual welfare management across years.