Ostriches are among the most well-known bird species since they are the biggest and fastest flightless birds. However, these birds’ size isn’t their only intriguing aspect; their reproductive habits and mating rituals are also rather unusual. Did you know ostrich farms have difficulty breeding these large birds?
Male ostriches frequently find their human caregivers more attractive than female ostriches. This is why ostrich farms frequently struggle to get male ostriches to reproduce.
Ostrich Reproduction
The ostrich doesn’t start courting and mating until two years later, and this process can last up to 30 years. Create a nest for reproduction, then insert a wooden egg to encourage growth.
The average female lays 50 to 60 eggs annually, but some lay as many as 100. Remember that eggs are produced every 48 hours; after eight hours, the female will rest for a few days before returning to playback. (Source: Small Starter)
Is Setting Up an Ostrich Farm a Good Business?
The main advantage of starting a business in this sector is that you do not need to incur high maintenance costs while still generating an excellent monthly profit.
Despite being a non-flying bird, the ostrich provides several goods that are highly valued in the market. The first example is its meat, which has a texture similar to beef but with lower fat and cholesterol levels, which already piques the interest of those looking for a healthier alternative.
In addition to meat, leather is frequently used in the shoe and bag industry, where it can be used to replace reptile skins such as crocodiles and snakes; feathers are used for polishing in the automobile industry, in carnival fantasies, and the manufacture of feather dusters; and even the eggs are used; currently, they are more used in the formation of reproductive seedlings, but the resistant and porous shell can be used to make decorative objects such as purses and jewelry holsters.
The fat from the animal can still be used to make creams and ointments; the eyelashes can be used to make false eyelashes, and the carcass can be used to make compound feed or a diet prepared for animals.
Another advantage of ostrich farming is that this animal is highly adaptable, withstanding both high and low temperatures and requiring no constructions, structures, or labor in handling. (Source: Small Starter)
Money-Making Birds
On the one hand, a typical cow has one calf per year. This calf will be ready for market in two years and produce approximately 250kg of beef at slaughter.
On the other hand, an ostrich produces up to 40 eggs per year, and these chicks typically reach market size in about 14 months, yielding meat weighing up to 1,800 kilograms!
An ostrich, including mature offspring, can produce up to 50 square meters of leather and 36 kilograms of the feather in just one year!
A single female ostrich can produce up to 72,000 kilograms of meat, 2,000 square meters of leather, and 2,000 kilograms of feathers during her economic lifetime if adequately managed.
Compared to other traditional farm animals like cattle, goats, pigs, fish, chicken, and turkey, ostriches are relatively simple to raise, and most ostrich farm projects are highly successful. The first 3 to 5 months of an ostrich’s life are critical, as they require a well-balanced diet with adequate amounts of essential nutrients. (Source: Small Starter)
Image from MSN