You have made the right choice by visiting our site. Here we will provide you with full and verified information about the new and somewhat still exotic to Ukraine branch of agriculture: ostrich breeding.

Nowadays ostrich breeding is gaining more and more popularity in Ukraine. Throughout the country, new farms which specialize in breeding ostriches are formed. More and more people are showing interest in these unordinary birds. Yet, at this time, full and exhaustive information about all the aspects of ostrich breeding can be rarely found. Often questions are raised about production, what can be obtained from an ostrich, how can it be used, etc. That is why, we take it upon ourselves to offer you the fullest answers to all your questions in the field of ostrich breeding.

Ostrich breeding as a field of agriculture spread from Africa, the historic homeland of ostriches. The African ostrich (Strutio Camelius) turned out to be the best breed for domestication. Birds of this breed are the least aggressive and the quickest to adapt to conditions of living of all ostriches.

The practice of breeding ostriches for farming purposes is very old in Africa, and in the 80s there was a “boom” of interest in ostrich breeding.

In the past 10-20 years, ostrich breeding has spread to the countries of Europe and North America. So, ostrich breeding, as a field of agriculture, is developed today in countries such as USA, Canada, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Denmark, Poland, and many others.

Noteworthy is the big success of Poland in this field. In less than 10 years, the development of this field in Poland, where quantity of farms for ostrich breeding has reached 200.

The ostrich is the largest bird on earth. It can reach 2.8 m in height and weigh 160 kg. Its height is related to its incredibly long and supple neck which at times makes up 40%-50% of its height. These birds reach sexual maturity at the age of 2-3 years (females) and 3-4 years (males). Females usually lay eggs every 2 days throughout the productive season. Normally the average number of eggs obtained from young female is 8-10 eggs a month, though it is possible to obtain up to 15 eggs a month.

In the first 2 years of egg-laying, high productivity has not been observed in families. During this period, females produce up to 40 eggs with low percentage of fertility. In the first place, this is related to the fact that females are ahead males in sexual development.

In reality, ostriches can live up to 65 years; but, their productive age ends at 40. This is very important for farm breeding. This is why, the purchase of ostriches can be considered as a long term investment. At the age of maturity (6-7 years or 4th-6th productive season) females are capable of giving 70 eggs a year in our climatic conditions.

Nevertheless, facts show that when special conditions of living were provided, i.e. equal light days and stable temperature, up to 100 eggs a year could be obtained from one ostrich.

In our climatic zone, the productive season goes on from April to October. During this time a female is capable of laying 60-70 eggs, from which in reality only 35-45 chicks can be obtained. At birth, the sex of the chicks can not be determined since it is determined by its coloring, and all chicks are of a brownish color.

The first signs of the sex of the chicks can be determined after the chick has reached 12-13 month with 85% certainty. Upon reaching sexual maturity, females change their coloring into grey while males into black.

Ostriches are not fussy about food. In the wild they feed on herbs, juicy sprouts and leafy bushes and trees, cereal seeds, and insects and invertebrates.

The latest facts show that the slaughter of ostriches in the world reaches 10,000 heads per year. But this amount does not satisfy the demand of the market. Today more and more people look for meat and meat products with minimal cholesterol content and at the same time with high gustatory qualities. Ostrich meat meets all these demands. In Europe the demand on this form of production is growing rapidly. Supermarkets and restaurants, not having constant delivery of meat, are not able to satisfy this demand.

Ostrich breeding is a new and prospective field of agriculture for Ukraine. If we add to this its exotic aspect and the interest of the people who will work with the birds, then we will be able to achieve record-breaking results in this field.

If this information has aroused your interest or raised any questions, we are always glad to explain and tell you more about this type of breeding.