Advances in welfare science and practice for farmed ostriches, covering improved handling facilities, welfare assessment tools, and the development of higher welfare certification for ostrich products.
Ostrich welfare science has advanced considerably from its origins in an industry focused almost entirely on leather and feather production. Understanding that ostriches are behaviorally and physiologically complex animals with genuine welfare needs — not simply large birds to be managed for product extraction — has begun to shift management approaches. Low-stress handling facility design reduces the handling stress that was previously both a welfare concern and a significant injury risk for workers. Shade provision, group management, and appropriate stocking density have demonstrable welfare benefits. The remaining challenge is translating welfare science into industry-wide standards with meaningful third-party verification, creating market incentives for producers to invest in welfare improvements.