Our experience has shown that the most effective indoors area for winter and summer alike is 150 m squared; while the enclosed outdoors area should be about 5000m squared. These are the parameters we use on our farm in Denmark to raise one family of ostriches (2 males, 6-7 females).

An incubated egg can be bought at 3 stages of its development:

1^st stage: before setting it in the incubator. This stage is very risky since it is unknown if the egg is fertile or not. Of course, there is certain equipment for determining the activity of the embryo; however, they are usually used for chicken eggs.

2^nd stage: after 3 weeks of incubation. At this stage fertile eggs can be determined. So, when buying these eggs you can be sure that all eggs are fertile. Yet, special transport is needed where necessary temperature and humidity will be maintained. In addition, an incubator for further incubation is needed.

3^rd stage: on the 40th-42nd day of incubation (transportation of “hot” eggs). Special transport is also needed for the transportation of such eggs; however, an incubator is not needed anymore. Only a brooding closet or a specially equipped room is necessary. The buying and transportation of such eggs does not present any risks for the embryo since these eggs are capable of maintaining their own temperature during 12-14 hours if transported in thermo-isolated packages.

Of course, for small volumes of incubated eggs one incubator is enough. Nevertheless, some farms use 2 incubators where one of them is used as a brooding closet. However, with successive reproduction (incubation of eggs) it is somewhat difficult to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the incubators as is necessary. That is why 2 incubators can be used to solve this problem. So as not to buy the expensive brooding closet, a specially equipped room can be used where the necessary temperature and humidity will be maintained.

At most the death of young ostriches varies between 10% and 50%. The inquisitive nature of ostriches can be made use of during the first 10 days after hatching to teach them how to feed and drink. The number of young ostriches in a group should not exceed 40-50 heads. Give them a small amount of food 4-5 times each 24 hours. When cleaning, do not change pens too often- this too can be risky. Normal death rate of young ostriches varies between 15 and 20%.

For the transport of adult birds, special transport must be used (slightly perfected vehicle for the transportation of horses can also be used). A well-ventilated van with a roof and separated into pens is used for transportation. The size of these pens should be 2.5 by 1.8m; inside there should not be any sharp protruding objects and slits between the ground and the partition in order to avoid injury of birds. The ventilating window should not be below 1.90m. For our experience we have come to use 2 types of vehicles for the transportation of birds: one that can hold 25-28 birds and another that can hold 40-42. The transportation of birds during a period of 24 hours does not lead to any serious consequences for the birds. During transportation birds can be fed but they should drink. We issue veterinary certificates and certificates of origin for all birds on our farm. For the transportation of a 1-year-old chick plastic or carton boxes can be used. The use of bedding is a necessary condition. For this purpose we use felt rugs, plastic or rubber porous rugs can be used. The transportation of 1-day-old birds is the best alternative among all the age groups because a 1-day-old bird stands the trip well, does need water or food, and quickly adapts to new habitation. We recommend the transportation of birds between the ages of 1 day and 1 month. We do not recommend the transportation of birds between the ages of 1 month and 10 month since birds of this age are very excitable and are susceptible to stress; increased activity has been also observed which can result in increased risks in mechanical injuries (wing and leg fractures and tearing of skin).

For running a farm economically, we advise that you own 30 tribal ostriches (4 groups, each of 2 males and 5-6 females) in 4-5 productive seasons. This production can yield 500-600 chicks a year, and of course the result can be 400-500 birds that have reached the age fit for slaughter (12-14 months).

At the age of 10-14 months the weight of a living ostrich is 95-120 kg. Our company usually slaughters ostriches at the age of 11-12 months, weighing alive 100-120 kg. The net meat output then constitutes 30-38 kg., to this can be added the heart, liver, and lard. The output of raw skin is about 1.5 m.