Ostrich is the biggest bird among all the bird species. Start your own ostrich farm in south africa and sell ostrich eggs. Apr 26, 2019 browse the net for oudtshoorn, and youll soon find that its the worlds ostrich capital. Commercial ostrich farming began in south africa more than 150 years ago and is now practiced in. Then their habitats were limited to the open territory grassland of africa and they started roaming in the desert or semidesert areas of south western africa. Ostrich farming may sound like an unusual career, but it can make the right person a nice profit. Value chain opportunities for black participation and. The feather auctions were started in mossel bay in 1870.
This relatively small town in klein karoo, western cape, literally brims with flightless birds. South africas ostrich farming industry klein karoo international ostrich production in south africa is unique in the sense that it is a lowcarbon footprint, sustainable and socially responsible farming system that produces healthy and lean animal protein and byproducts of high quality in rural areas, often associated with arid climates. Ostrich plumes obtained from wild birds have been used for ornamentation for thocsands of years and up. South africas exports for ostrich meat to the world had increased in value by 175% during the period 2014 to 2015 daff, 2016. Therefore ostrich farming is more suitable in the western drier parts of the country or in winter rainfall regions. Africa ostrich industry hit by major bird flu outbreak cnn. Ostrich farming is a new addition among agric ultural. Competition from ostrich ventures in other parts of the world, notable in california, led to south african producers seeking genetic material with a higher quality feather to obtain leadership in the market. The galliova awards are sponsored by the egg and broiler producers of the south african poultry association sapa. Ostrich farming in south africa one way or another, the ostrich is a valuable bird by david skillan why does an ostrich bury its head in the sand. A couple of popular ostrich farms include the sambawa farm in the north and the obasanjo farm in the south. The north african ostrich is considered to give a more valuable feather than the south african and a few years ago two pairs of birds were imported at port.
Ostrich farming the largest living species of bird in the world. In the uk, you require a dangerous wild animals licence. Ostrich production systems part i food and agriculture. Itis being rapidly destroyed for the sake of its feathers, which are being exported in enormous quantities, principally to north america and france. Today, ostrich farms are considered to be among the most profitable agricultural projects. Angola, botswana, democratic republic of the congo, namibia, south africa. The 2019 galliova awards are open to food and health writers of south african print and online publications. A case study of dibete ostrich multiplication unit. South africa had the monopoly of the ostrich market for a century and a half, until mid 1980s, when some us farmers imported breeder ostriches with the intention to ranch the ostriches. The first commercial ostrich farm was established in south africa in about 1860 solely for harvesting the feathers every six to eight months. The country has a welldeveloped poultry and egg industry as well as valueadded activities such as humane slaughtering, processing and preserving of meat. Ostrich farming industry support to the rescue fortunately, this stoppage turned out to be no more than an interruption, albeit one of three years.
For some 100 years, tourists have flocked arenhold hoopers ostrich family farm in oudtshoorn, the south african city renowned as the ostrich. Production in other parts of the world became possible when namibia achieved independence. Feb 22, 2012 for some 100 years, tourists have flocked arenhold hoopers ostrich family farm in oudtshoorn, the south african city renowned as the ostrich capital of the world, to ride its longlegged, long. Jun 25, 2015 ostrich farming may be the next big thing in botswanas agriculture industry. Ostrich farming originated in south africa in the 1860s. Safari ostrich farm is a working ostrich farm in oudtshoorn, garden route, south africa. The australian industry commenced in the mid 1870s and by the early 1900s there were several large farms throughout australia. Jul, 2018 at the end of the day, one female ostrich can generate a lot of profit annually if you factor in all the revenue sources eggs, chicks, meat, leather, feathers.
Fortunately other countries are not as strict and view ostrich farming just the same as. For report of other proceedings on this occasion see journal of the society for july, 1920, page 324. This popular myth is dispelledand numerous details about the lives of ostriches are revealedat highgate ostrich show farm, one of south africas. Before you start a goat farming business in south africa, there are some important decisions which you have to make. Oct 03, 2018 commercial ostrich farming started in south africa in 1864 the oudtshoorn region is considered the ostrich capitol of the world since ostrich farming, as a big commercial enterprise, originated here. Livestock farming in south africa south africa ultural. Jul 12, 2016 the ostrich has been farmed for around 150 years in south africa, first for its feathers and recently for the hide and now for meat also.
Ostrich farming is now an international industry, with south africa still by far the major player. Female and baby ostrich feather can be of gray or white. The ostrich egg is lower in saturated fats and cholesterol and these eggs are loaded with beneficial nutrients like vitamin a, e, magnesium and iron. Connect rural farmers with exporters using the internet. Everything about us is focused on you having a wonderful interactive encounter and learning something new about the worlds largest bird.
Lucerne was also introduced by the then magistrate of oudtshoorn, mr scholtz, who imported the seed and planted a small plot to feed his ostriches. The south african ostrich value chain national agricultural. In ostrich, edgar williams provides a singular, comprehensive insight into the natural history, behavior, and habitat of this monumental bird. Ostrich intro south african poultry association sapa 011. Livestock farming in south africa is a large part of the countrys agricultural sector and includes the production of cattle, dairy, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and ostrich. Starting goat farming business in south africa business. Typically 100 chicks are grown out on 6000 to 9000 square metres. An adult male ostrich weights between 63 to kg and an adult female ostrich weights about 155 kg. Ostrich farming as an agricultural option in botswana. Ostrich farming in africa is on the rise ostrich farming has been aptly called a business of the future. There are a lot of people living in rural areas of south africa, who work hard, grow farm products and dont even suspect that they could make decent amounts of money selling. Hastings summary ostrich farming originated in south africa in the 1860s.
It also serves as a great conversation starter at parties. In leviticus and the book of job ostriches are mentioned. Development of a programme to link farmers to markets. In 1914, following a world wide slump, the ostrich virtually disappeared from australian agriculture but interest was revived in the late 1970s. Williams describes how the demand for ostrich feathers was so great during the victorian era that vast fortunes were made from ostrich farming, particularly in south africa and the united states.
In south africa ostriches require dry climates, especially for breeding. Prior to 2011, the ostrich meat, leather and feathers exceed r2,1 billion annually in foreign revenue to the countrys economy. There are no reliable comprehensive sources of published. All you need to run a successful ostrich farm is a good product for your region, research on the right breed and age and time to make sure your ostriches are. Sep 10, 20 ostrich farming industry support to the rescue fortunately, this stoppage turned out to be no more than an interruption, albeit one of three years. Keep in mind, however, that they are flightless, not helpless. Currently, ostrich farming is concentrated in the middle and northern regions of nigeria.
Feb 04, 2015 klein karoo group transformation trust a very successful sustainable farming and human development program initiative, implemented by industry leaders in the south africa s ostrich industry. Watch a video about a small scale ostrich farming in south africa that will help you get an idea of how to start your own farm. Therefore ostrich farming is more suitable in the western drier parts of the country or in. A large flock of immature ostriches on an ostrich farm in little karoo, south africa. Some countries such as germany require that you complete a course on ostrich husbandry. The largest bird species can surely stand up for i. The industry dominates in the western cape in the klein karoo and southern cape regions. Ostrich farms began to spread gradually to other countries, particularly egypt, australia, new zealand, the united states and argentina, until the total number of ostriches raised commercially reached. Sep 21, 2012 about 75% of south africa s ostrich production comes from the western cape and about 15% to 20% from the eastern cape. How to start an ostrich farming business gone outdoors. This is the only tractor tour on an ostrich farm in south africa.
Page 8 chapter 2 farming options in chapter 2 of our information guide on how to start a successful ostrich farm. Our semidesert climate is ideal for ostrich farming since they are desert birds and cant stand cold wet climates. Alamy incubation here is done inside a temperaturecontrolled oven thats under 24hour surveillance. Best time to see oudtshoorn ostriches in south africa 2020.
In earlier the northern africa, southern part of sahara, eastern africa, southern woodland of africa and asian minor was the habitats of ostrich. Duerden, ostrich farming in south africa, african affairs, volume xx, issue lxxvii, october 1920, pages 1924. Klein karoo group transformation trust a very successful sustainable farming and human development program initiative, implemented by. It is farmed for its meat, leather and feathers in the little karoo area of cape province. Adult male ostrich feathers are black colored, primary and caudal feathers are white colored. In 2011, the eastern cape department of rural development and agrarian reform decided to provide a full support system for the farmers, and approached klein karoo international kki for help in. Below is a sample of an ostrich farming business plan. In the next chapter, we consider the farming options for starting an ostrich farm. Pavel koflickr bofa, supported by university of botswanas department of management, had organised a workshop for ostrich farmers and those looking to enter the ostrich farming industry. From the current market economics, the benefits from this venture clearly trumps other traditional livestock including cattle, chicken, pigs and turkey. Many visitors to south africa regard a visit to an ostrich farm as a mustsee.
1112 369 374 202 746 967 228 1138 184 290 888 577 1266 1530 391 1277 1053 869 1477 633 13 814 581 546 1390 1421 1123 1045 87 1433 1018 1429 1395 1166 755 1095 1378 273 53 1443 516 503 1351 710 804 684 1432