Farmed Ostrich Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Ostrich farming for meat, leather, and feathers is conducted globally with welfare standards significantly below those for other farmed species, despite ostriches' complex behavioral needs.

Key Facts

Ostriches are the world's largest bird, capable of running at 70 km/h and living 40+ years
They are highly social in wild settings, living in groups with complex social hierarchies
Feather plucking - removing feathers while birds are conscious - is practiced in some operations
Ostriches have strong flight responses that make handling stressful without appropriate facilities
High ambient temperature is required for welfare in ostrich farming outside native African ranges

Welfare Considerations

Ostrich welfare standards remain poorly developed despite the species' clear behavioral complexity and strong natural drives for movement, social interaction, and fleeing. Feather plucking without stunning is one of the most unambiguous welfare harms in ostrich production, causing pain to birds whose feather follicles are richly innervated. Developing species-appropriate welfare standards for ostriches - covering social grouping, space, handling, and slaughter - is an overdue welfare priority.

What You Can Do

Avoid ostrich leather and plucked ostrich feather products where welfare standards are unknown
Support campaigns for minimum welfare standards in ostrich farming regulation
Advocate for stunning before feather plucking in ostrich production regulations
Choose suppliers who can document their ostrich welfare standards and practices