Welfare of Farmed Ostriches | Animal Welfare Hub

Ostrich farming for feathers, leather, and meat raises welfare concerns about the welfare of highly stress-sensitive birds in intensive farming environments and through transport and slaughter.

Key Facts

South Africa is the largest global producer of farmed ostriches
Ostriches are farmed for feathers, leather (prized in luxury goods), eggs, and meat
Ostriches are the world's largest birds, highly adapted to open savannah environments
They are extremely stress-sensitive and can die from cardiac events during capture and handling
Transport of ostriches is highly stressful given their size and stress sensitivity
Welfare science on farmed ostriches is less developed than for mainstream poultry

Welfare Considerations

Farmed ostrich welfare is challenged by the mismatch between their ecological adaptations and intensive production systems. Wild ostriches range across vast open savannahs with complex social dynamics. Farm confinement restricts this ranging and disrupts natural social behaviour. Capture and handling for husbandry procedures causes extreme fear responses - ostriches can run at 70km/h and their kicking force is potentially lethal, making restraint inherently welfare-challenging. Transport causes significant stress, with mortality during transport documented. Slaughter requires specific protocols to prevent stress-induced cardiac events. Welfare science for this species needs development to underpin welfare standards for a growing industry.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing luxury ostrich leather products without verified welfare credentials
Ask retailers about welfare standards in their ostrich product supply chains
Support development of welfare outcome standards for ostrich farming
Donate to animal welfare research organisations studying welfare in non-mainstream farmed species
Advocate for ostrich farming to be covered by meaningful welfare regulations
Raise awareness that luxury animal products carry welfare costs often invisible to consumers