Ostriches are farmed for meat, leather, and feathers across Africa, Europe, and elsewhere. Their unique behavioral needs and sensitivity to stress make welfare management a significant challenge in commercial production.
Farmed ostriches experience welfare challenges at multiple production stages. Chick mortality is high due to management difficulties in early life. Feather plucking — performed while birds are alive — causes acute distress and is banned in some countries. Transport is highly stressful for a species that uses flight as a primary fear response. Stunning before slaughter is technically difficult, and inadequate stunning is common. Positive welfare indicators include opportunity for running, dust bathing, social grouping, and foraging. The European Union has moved to restrict live feather harvesting. Improving welfare requires better training, low-stress handling methods, and appropriate space allowances.