Ostriches are farmed globally for leather, feathers, and meat, but their welfare needs as large, intelligent, mobile birds are rarely met in commercial settings.
Commercial ostrich farms often restrict these highly mobile birds to small enclosures, causing stereotypic pacing, feather-pecking, and stress behaviors. Overcrowding leads to aggression. Plucking feathers while birds are alive — common in the luxury goods industry — causes acute pain and fear responses. Slaughter practices lack standardized welfare protocols in many countries.