Ostrich & Ratite
Information Pages 
with Dave Richardson
The following is information is intended to give those getting started with ostriches some background of the birds and some practical management guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on how to keep, breed, and market ostriches, emus, rheas, and other gamebirds along with sources for birds and eggs, click here and subscribe to the Game Bird Gazette magazine which has been serving ratite and other gamebird breeders for over 50 years.
Ostriches were once found over a much larger area in nature than they are today. Human development and encroachment on their habitat over the past half century has caused their population to decline and they are now found only in the African savannahs. One true species is recognized Struthio camelus and there are several subspecies.
The diet of ostriches in the wild may come as a surprise to many propagators who have never fed them anything but commercially produced food. The wild ones are primarily grazing animals, existing on a variety of plant and brush material. In many instances, succulent plants and fruits also make up a large portion of their diet as do small insects and lizards.
Ostrich are equipped with many advantageous features including excellent eye sight, large external ear canals, and powerful legs which allow speeds of up to 40 mph. Because of these features, mortalities in adult ostrich are not thought to be common. 
. Ostrich reach an adult height of over 7 feet by 16 to 18 months of age. They continue to increase in weight after this time with adult males reaching over 300 pounds. Ostrich may become sexually mature at two years of age although males often mature later than females. It is not uncommon for hens to begin laying at two to 3 years of age while males may take as long as 4 to 5 years to be functionally mature. In captivity, females may lay as many as 100 eggs in a season, although 20 to 40 are more common. Eggs are whitish in color, weigh about 3 pounds and are generally laid every other day. Eggs are typically laid in late afternoon. (Legendary gamebird and ostrich breeder, Roy Bouck, is shown at left holding ostrich chick and egg. The eggs are very popular for decoration and thousands are produced each year to satisfy the big demand).Although mating may occur numerous times during the day, it is believed that a single mating may be effective for up to a week.
Adult male ostrich are solid black in color with white wing tips while the smaller females are brownish gray Male ostrich of East Africa have pink or red skin and are often referred to a "red necks," while the more southern ostrich has blue skin and is referred to as "blue necks." The color of the neck is dependent on the presence of the male hormone testosterone. The color of the feathers is dependent on the presence or absence of the female hormone estrogen. Thus, castrated males will have normal feather color but not the skin color and immature or spayed females will have black feathers.
The breeding and mating behavior is quite elaborate with the male sitting on his hocks, moving his wings up and down while throwing his head from side to side. During this time the male will usually make a thumping sound and will inflate his neck area and create a loud booming noise. The receptive female walks with her head down, popping her beak and shaking her wings ("clucking"). When approached, t
he female will sit, allowing the male to mount from the back.
The male digs a depression in the ground by sitting and digging with his legs, pushing dirt backwards, forming the nest. Eggs are
laid in these nests and the male usually sits on the eggs at night while the female incubates during the day. Wild clutches usually range from 8 to 14 eggs. Both parents are involved with the rearing of the young.
Although this discussion deals mainly with ostrich, other ratites including the South American rhea and the Australian Emu have been popular species for ranching. Other flightless birds often encountered are the cassowary of New Guinea and the kiwi which is native to New Zealand. Many factors involved in the care and maintenance of these birds are similar, others, however, are not. We will note the exceptions when appropriate.
Feeding ostriches and other ratites is easy to accomplish using the specially formulated diets that are on the market. Mazuri offers an outstanding line of ratite diets, including starter feed, Emu Maintenance, Ostrich Grower & Maintenance, Ostrich Breeder, Ratite Breeder, and Ratite Diet. Check out their complete line of feeds for ratites and other game birds and waterfowl by going to the Mazuri Web site or call 1-800-227-8941 to locate your nearest Mazuri dealer.
Animals do not utilize feed as such, but rather the nutrients contained in the feed. However, not all animals require the same nutrients. Nutrients that are required include: (1) carbohydrates (2) proteins or amino acids (3) vitamins (4) minerals (5) fats and oils (6) water.
The concentrations of these nutrients vary considerably in different plants, and it is for this reason that commercially prepared feed often includes a variety of sources of ingredients in order to meet differing nutritional requirements.
Keep in mind that if diet and exercize requirements are not fully met, leg problems can result as happened to the chick shown in the accompanying photo (right). Once this happens, it is very difficult to return the young bird to normal so you want to do everything possible to prevent it from happening!
With a proper feeding program and supplementation with available green forage such as alfalfa, grass, clover, etc., 
growth and development is rarely a problem. Care must be taken that feed is stored properly to prevent mold or other contamination problems and that it is fresh enough that all vitamin and supplementations are still available.
Birds that are provided forage such as alfalfa or grass, should also be provided access to grit and gravel. The size of the gravel can be varied with the size of the bird but access to it is necessary for both breakdown of the feed and normal function of the proventriculus. Oyster shell should not be used as grit as it breaks down rapidly and may change the calcium/phosphorus balance that was provided by the diet being fed.
Diets for adult birds can be similar to that used for chicks with the exception that laying birds should have a calcium/phosphorus ratio sufficient to compensate for egg production.
It is beneficial to maintain production age birds on a maintenance diet during the non-laying period that differs from that used during the laying period. This maintenance diet should allow the bird to maintain but not gain weight and perhaps even lose (not more than 5 - 10% body weight) during the non-laying period. Beginning about 2 months before the laying period, the higher protein, more balanced laying diet can again be given to boost the birds prior to laying and breeding.
Facilities For Chicks
Young chicks can be maintained in a variety of suitable facilities. A small portable pen, 12 feet long, 4 feet wide and 2 foot high can be adequate for a number of chicks. The pen is placed on short cut grass and moved daily. Chicks are brought out to the pen after the temperature reaches above 60 F and the sun is shining. Birds can be maintained in this type of facility until the temperature drops or until weather is prohibitive. Include some type of shade and wind break as young birds are sensitive to extreme sun and wind.
Young birds should be brought indoors in the evening and maintained in a heated environment until at least 2 to 3 months of age. Temperature in indoor shelters should be maintained at least 65 F and enough room to allow the birds to exercise should be provided. In areas where weather is more severe, this period may need to be extended.
Do not provide feed at night but available water is acceptable. Feed the young birds prior to turning them out in the morning. juveniles: juvenile birds between 3 and 10 months of age can be maintained in a similar, but larger facility as young birds. For convenience, access to the indoor facility should be available directly from the outdoor pens. However, shelter is not needed except in extremely cold areas. The amount of space per bird, for both indoor and outdoor facilities should be increased for this age bird as compared to that available for younger chicks. Outdoor pens can be of any type of substrate but ground cover such as grass, clover, or alfalfa is ideal. Grass should be kept at a closely mowed level, especially when grass begins to dry out or turn to seed, as impactions are more common at this time. Daily mowing may be necessary during some periods of the year.
Facilities For Adults
Pens and facilities for adults vary considerably. Most ranchers maintain adult pairs or trios in facilities that range
from five thousand square feet to an acre or more. In general, the more room that can be provided for your ostrich, the better. Common fences and line of sight access to neighboring pairs is often good.
Housing or shade is usually provided although not always utilized. If birds are accustomed to being fed and watered in a shed they will be more easily confined when necessary and may build the nest and lay indoors.
Alleyways for movement of birds from pen to pen, access for haling, and provisions for confinement for veterinary care should be considered at the time of construction. Although surprising, most ratites do not require indoor shelter once over about six months of age and often refuse to use such structures, independent of weather. However, if you are in a climate that is extremely cold you will have to ensure the birds receive adequate shelter.
Fencing is dependent on personal preference and economics. Chain link is good but may result in problems related to leg and foot injures. Tubular "cattle" type fence is suitable and offers some benefits and other types of woven wire fencing are routinely used.
Many ranchers use group pens consisting of several males and numerous females where a lot of land area is available. This appears beneficial and is more nearly similar to a natural situation. Early results indicate that increased fertility, more egg numbers, and extended laying periods can be expected in this type of set up. Several acres of enclosed pasture are needed for this type of operation.
Ostrich & Emu Information Pages 2, 3, 4