Farmed Ostrich Welfare: An Underexamined Industry

Ostrich farming for meat, leather, and feathers has expanded significantly with limited welfare research or regulation, creating an evidence gap for an industry affecting millions of birds.

Key Facts

Global ostrich production is centered in South Africa with significant operations in Europe and the Middle East
Ostriches are farmed for leather, feathers, and meat, with different production systems for each
Ostriches are highly sensitive to stress and show extreme fear responses when handled incorrectly
Conventional handling methods involving herding, catches, and physical restraint cause significant stress
Behavioral problems including feather pecking, stereotypies, and aggression occur in intensive systems
Species-specific welfare research for farmed ostriches is limited compared to other farmed species

Welfare Considerations

Ostrich farming welfare presents a significant evidence gap: an expanding global industry with limited species-specific welfare science and minimal regulation. Ostriches are large, highly reactive birds with strong stress responses and specific behavioral needs including running space, complex social structures, and specific substrate requirements. The combination of their size, speed, and stress reactivity creates significant handling welfare challenges. Current practices in many production systems are not well-aligned with the species' behavioral needs. Development of evidence-based welfare standards and assessment tools for ostriches is an important priority for the animal welfare research community.

What You Can Do

Avoid ostrich leather and feather products given the significant welfare concerns in production
Support research funding for ostrich-specific welfare science and needs assessment
Advocate for inclusion of ostriches in national animal welfare legislation
Choose alternatives to ostrich leather in fashion and accessories
Engage with farmed bird welfare organizations to raise awareness of the ostrich welfare gap