Ostrich and Emu

WHAT ARE OSTRICH AND EMU?

Ostrich and emu are both large, swift-running, flightless birds. Ostriches are native to Africa and emus come from Australia. Ostriches are 2.5m tall, weigh 160 to 200kg and can run 65 km/h.

WHERE ARE OSTRICH AND EMU PRODUCED IN BC?

Ostrich and emu farms in BC are in the Okanagan Valley, the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

HOW MUCH OSTRICH AND EMU DO WE PRODUCE?

Production is small as this is a new enterprise. In Canada, the market is for breeding animals. It will be a few years before the production of meat and hides is viable.

HOW ARE OSTRICH AND EMU PRODUCED?

Ostrich and emus are both specialty livestock animals. They can, however, be raised in conventional barns. An ostrich hen is mature at 2.5 years; a male at 3 to 3.5 years. A hen will lay about 50 eggs a season. It takes 42 days to hatch an egg in an incubator. Young ostriches are fed a high protein feed. They can grow 30cm a month. Chicks are susceptible to pneumonia and must be kept warm, fed and dry.

Emus are easier to handle than ostriches. Hens bury their eggs in the yard so care has to be taken when collecting them. Each egg weighs 700g. By comparison, a large chicken's egg weighs about 56g. Eggs are incubated for 52 days.

Each ostrich requires 0.12ha of relatively flat land. The area needs to be flat to minimize the risk of birds tripping and injuring themselves. These birds will also eat anything shiny, like nails or the buttons on your clothing. Fencing should be made with a woven wire, approximately 1.6m high. Adults are capable of protecting themselves from coyotes or stray dogs with a strong forward kick. Ostriches eat 1 to 2kg of feed per day. Their feed is one-half chopped alfalfa and one-half grain. Birds can live up to 70 years and produce eggs for 40 of those years.

WHAT DO OSTRICH AND EMU LOOK LIKE WHEN I USE IT?

Ostrich meat is eaten in upscale restaurants and is exported to Europe, where it is considered a delicacy. Ostrich feathers are used in feather dusters and as decorations on hats. Ostrich hides are valued at about $200 to $250 each. Hides are used for shoes, clothing, hand bags and luggage. Ostrich eggs are decorated by artists as collectibles. Emu oil, from a thick layer of fat on the back of the emu, is used for skin care products.

WHAT HAPPENS THE OSTRICH AND EMU AFTER IT LEAVES THE FARM?

Right now, ostriches and emus are sold to other farms as breeding animals.

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES THE OSTRICH AND EMU PRODUCERS FACE?

There are very few ostriches in Canada, so purchasing breeding stock can be quite expensive. A large initial investment is required. An ostrich egg sells for $35; a day old chick $125. An adult breeding pair can cost $1,000 to $5,000.

WHO'S INVOLVED IN PRODUCING OSTRICH AND EMU?

• Ostrich and emu producers
• Feed suppliers
• Equipment suppliers
• Veterinarians

Interesting Fact About Ostriches:

As many as 14 pairs of shoes can be made from each ostrich hide.

Contacts and other resources:

 

BC Ostrich Association

Canadian Ostrich Association

InfoBasket: Your Portal to Agri-Food Information on the Internet

Ostrich Producers of Ontario