Ostriches are farmed globally for meat, leather, and feathers. Their welfare needs as the world's largest birds include significant space for running and appropriate social groupings.
Farmed ostrich welfare requires adequate space for their exceptional locomotion — birds unable to run properly show frustration and stereotypic behaviors. Social housing in appropriate group sizes supports natural behavior expression. Live plucking of feathers is a welfare-compromising practice that causes pain and stress and should be replaced by collection of naturally molted feathers or post-slaughter harvest. Handling welfare is important given ostrich size and defensive capabilities — positive reinforcement-based management reduces stress for both animals and handlers. Breeding season management requires careful attention to male aggression. Temperature regulation in cold-climate operations requires heated housing appropriate to these African birds. The growing ostrich meat and leather industry requires welfare standards appropriate to a species with complex behavioral needs.