Big birds
Ostriches may not be the brightest animals on the acreage, but for some farmers, the birds have turned out to be worthwhile additions.
Ostriches may not be the brightest animals on the acreage, but for some farmers, the birds have turned out to be worthwhile additions. Brothers Todd and Lance Appelbaum found that to be the case when they began raising ostriches for meat, eggs, and leather at Fossil Farms (www.fossilfarms.com) in Sussex County, New Jersey.
The brothers bought their first pair of ostriches in the 1990s and gradually added birds as they got more requests for their ostrich meat.
"The demand for meat was through the roof, so we bought more breeder birds," Todd says. Today, the farm has about 500 birds.
Ostriches are classified as ratites - a family of flightless birds. They can weigh 300 to 400 pounds, making them the largest birds in the world.
Although the Appelbaums have found it profitable to raise them, many ostrich owners simply enjoy having them around as unique acreage animals. They are hardy by nature and usually don't need extensive health care or a large amount of land.
The main necessities for the birds are a covered shelter and an outdoor area where they can stretch their legs, Todd says. He uses a seven-strand high-tensile wire fence to keep the birds contained, but every once in a while an ostrich finds a way to wriggle out. Before long, however, the bird realizes the grass isn't greener on the other side.
"If a bird gets out, the next thing you know they're working their way back in," Todd says. "They're not very smart birds."
Like many large animals, ostriches can be unpredictable and become agitated when they feel threatened. They're also very fast; ostriches can maintain a speed of 40 miles per hour. The males, also known as roosters, tend to be especially territorial and can be difficult to handle during mating season. When Todd needs to go out into the field, he takes a pole with him in case an ostrich rooster gets too close.
Although it's uncommon for an ostrich to charge, be sure to take precautions when handling the birds. If you need to go out into the middle of an ostrich pasture, have an escape route. If it's a large pasture, drive your tractor or another vehicle to the center so you can seek shelter in an emergency.
For many ostrich farmers, the main attraction is the meat. Ostrich meat, which is considered red meat, has won fans because of its low fat content.
"It's healthy, and a lot of people like that about it," Todd says. "It's lower in fat than chicken, but it looks and tastes like steak."
The Appelbaums take their birds to a USDA processing facility in Washington, New Jersey. Since their farm is near New York City, they are able to take ostrich meat samples directly to influential chefs and food fairs. The brothers sell their products directly through their Web site. Ostrich leather is becoming increasingly popular, Todd says. The leather has a distinctive pattern because of the quills. It is known to be very durable, which makes it ideal for purses, shoes, and belts.
Fossil Farms sends its ostriches for meat and leather processing when the birds are 1 year old (by that time the animals have gained most of their weight). The Appelbaums take advantage of the birds' versatility. "We use pretty much everything but the feathers," Todd says.
Even the birds' eggs have become a source of profit for the Appelbaums. Their ostriches lay their eggs at dusk, and Todd collects them each night. One ostrich egg is the equivalent of about 24 chicken eggs, and it typically weighs 3 to 4 pounds. Todd says he once fed 15 people with one ostrich egg and still had leftovers.
Ostrich eggs can be cooked just like other types of eggs, but be prepared for a much longer cooking time. According to the American Ostrich Association (www.ostriches.org), it can take 11/2 hours to hard-boil an ostrich egg.
The Appelbaums also sell ostrich eggs to people who create works of art by carving and painting the shells.
Large facilities like Fossil Farms take time and resources to grow. Todd recommends that first-time ostrich farmers start small by purchasing one pair of birds.
Since incubating ostrich eggs and caring for the babies can be challenging, it's best to start with older birds. Look for ostriches that are about 3 months old. Once you've become more comfortable with caring for the birds, you can choose to add more gradually. Many people prefer to keep their number small and even raise just one pair as pets, Todd says.
