The United States is experiencing the growth of a new industry, Ostrich Ranching. Ostriches appear unusual and unfamiliar to so many people because they are new in the United States. Unlike faddish animal industries, the ostrich industry fulfills several different existing markets. These markets include the meat, leather, and feather industries.
The ostrich markets are not fully developed in the United States. South Africa has been raising ostriches for nearly 200 years. There are ranches in South Africa as large as 22,000 birds. In many parts of the world this market is fully developed. Eating trends and tastes indicate that the United States will soon follow. People in the USA enjoy red meat but the trend is leading toward healthier meat like chicken and turkey. Ostrich meat is a healthy red meat.
All parts of the slaughtered ostrich are used, as in other animal production. The three markets for ostriches are 1) Feathers, 2) Leather, and 3) Meat.
1) Historically, feathers have been the most profitable product. Women's clothing and accessories, and pillows and cushions use the ostrich feather. Fashion trends have diminished this market. The ostrich feather is the only feather that actually absorbs dust instead of pushing it away. Some car manufacturers use ostrich feathers for the final dusting before painting the cars. Ostrich feathers can be cropped each year much like wool from sheep. The revenue from the sale of feathers can offset the cost of feed in raising the birds.
2) Ostrich leather is one of the most durable leathers and is the second most valuable leather in the world. The fibers of most leathers lay parallel to each other. The fibers in ostrich leather has a random criss-crossing pattern, making it stronger. Boots, purses, jackets, belts, and other ostrich leather products are highly sought after. Because it is soft, supple, and luxurious, as well as rugged and long wearing properties, the ostrich leather industry will greatly grow when more and more ostriches are slaughtered.
3) The future of the ostrich industry is definitely meat. The meat industry will provide the most long term profit and largest continual market. Ranchers in South Africa have successfully been raising ostrich for meat and feathers for many years. South Africa, Europe, Japan, and China currently are markets for ostrich meat. The market for the meat in the United States is growing. The US government classified ostrich as an agriculture animal in 1993. There are many USDA approved packing plants for ostrich slaughtering in the USA. The national American Ostrich Association is working to educate the public and farmers, and is there to help farmers and ranchers with their ostriches.
The last few years the concern for healthy eating has swept the nation.
People are looking for healthier food, avoiding fat and cholesterol.
Ostrich meat meets these needs, being significantly lower in fat, calories,
and cholesterol, and high in protein. Ostrich meat is red meat and
tastes similar to beef, with the absence of visible fat and gristle.
The following chart compares the qualities of the different meats.
| 3 oz Serving | Calories | Protein gr | Fat gr | Cholesterol mg | Calcium mg |
| Ostrich | 96.9 | 22 | 2.0 | 58.0 | 5.2 |
| Chicken | 140.0 | 27 | 3.0 | 73.0 | 13.0 |
| Turkey | 135.0 | 25 | 3.0 | 59.0 | 16.0 |
| Beef | 240.0 | 23 | 15.0 | 77.0 | 9.0 |
| Pork | 275.0 | 24 | 19.0 | 84.0 | 3.0 |
Ostrich ranching has other advantages. A breeding pair of ostriches
require one quarter to one half acre of land. One adult bird can
be fed on less than a $1.00 a day. As many as 30-40 non-breeding
birds can be kept on as little as five acres. It takes 5 or more
pounds of feed to produce one pound of beef. The feed conversion
ratio with ostriches is much better, saving money and resources.
It takes 1.7 pounds of feed to produce one pound of ostrich meat.
A breeding pair of ostriches will produce twenty to forty chicks a year
while a cow will produce only one calf a year. The following table
shows a comparison between beef and ostrich.
| Cow | Ostrich | |
| Gestation/Incubation | 280 days | 42 days |
| Offspring per Year | 1 | 20 |
| Feed Conversion Ratio | 5 to 1 | < 2 to 1 |
| Days to Slaughter from conception | 645 | 407 |
| Pounds of Meat | 550 | 2,000 |
| Square Feet of Leather | 30 | 280 |
| Possible Income From Feathers | No | Yes |
The American Ostrich Association, AOA, is a national organization dedicated to the ostrich rancher and is working to promote the industry to the general public. The brochure, "Ostrich Primer", published by the AOA, discusses the industry and answers many questions.
The future for the Ostrich industry looks bright!