Ostriches are farmed for meat, leather, and feathers, and their welfare requires attention to their large space requirements, highly reactive temperament, and humane handling and slaughter practices.
Ostrich welfare presents unique challenges because of the species extreme reactivity and physical power. Stressed ostriches can cause serious injury to handlers and each other, making low-stress handling protocols both a welfare and safety requirement. High stocking densities trigger aggression and prevent the exercise that these naturally ranging birds require. Live feather plucking, still practiced for the luxury feather trade, causes acute pain and distress and is increasingly condemned by welfare scientists. Slaughter welfare depends heavily on pre-slaughter handling, as ostriches that are chased or mishandled arrive at slaughter in extreme stress states. Covering the eyes of ostriches during handling reduces reactivity and allows calmer processing. Welfare standards for ostrich production are less developed than for conventional poultry, representing a significant gap.