Ostriches are farmed globally for leather, feathers, meat, and eggs. Their welfare in captive systems requires meeting the needs of powerful, fast-moving birds with complex social dynamics.
Farmed ostrich welfare reflects the challenges of keeping a large, powerful, long-lived bird adapted for open savanna in commercial production settings. Space requirements for adequate movement and running are substantial — confined ostriches cannot express normal locomotor behavior and develop stereotypic behaviors reflecting frustration. Social dynamics in captive groups require careful management as ostriches can inflict serious injuries on penmates. Feather plucking — performed on live birds for the luxury feather market — is performed without adequate analgesia and causes significant pain and stress. Slaughter methods for ostriches require specialized facilities and training, and welfare at slaughter is poorly documented. The ostrich farming industry operates largely without the welfare certification infrastructure that covers more common livestock species.