Option 1 - Purchasing fertile eggs: This is probably the least expensive way to
acquire livestock, but has a high risk factor and requires extensive cash outlay for
incubation equipment, and should be left to the experienced producer.Entering the Ostrich Industry
Manual Menu | Section: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Topics in this section: Introduction, Acquiring Livestock, Purchase Options, Transporting Birds
The Ostrich industry in Alberta has evolved considerably over the past three years. Newcomers to the industry now have many options that were not available in the past years. Information is easier to obtain regarding various aspects of ostrich farming, and much of the ground work for the future has been laid.
In the early years breeder stock had to be imported via the United States or through Europe from Africa. Although this built the foundation of our industry, there were drawbacks to purchasing birds sight unseen, and without records. Canadian breeders have built their stock levels to a point where they are now able to supply Canadian raised birds into the marketplace. These birds are of high quality and can be viewed and inspected on site. Records are available and producers are able to give after sales support to the purchaser. In fact, Canadian raised birds are in demand for breeding stock in such countries as Australia and New Zealand. The fact that our cold winter climate helps to control and eliminate many diseases, combined with rigid export inspections and regulations, has helped Canadian producers to gain a reputation for hardy disease-free stock.
It is advisable to visit several farms and learn first hand about the different varieties of ostrich and to see the different facilities used in raising them. The importance of this can not be stressed enough. You can learn much about what it is like to raise ostrich, and a great deal about practical ways to cut costs and labor, by visiting a variety of farms.
It is not necessary to purchase all your birds from any one farm, rather it may even be advantageous to select from several farms - so that you bring in more variety of blood lines into your stock. However, caution should be exercised in putting birds from different farms together immediately. A short quarantine time apart would be advisable.
Be sure to visually inspect birds that you buy. A "boxy" conformation, rather than a torpedo-like shape, is preferable. Look for fast-growing birds, with straight legs, good feet, an even gait, clear shining eyes, and good feather cover. Feathers should have the glossy sheen that comes with good nutrition and excellent health. Birds should be active, curious, and move quickly with the group - a bird that languishes off by itself, with drooping neck and body posture, is not a healthy bird.
It is recommended that you also hand inspect birds before you purchase. Feel legs, thighs, for lumps scars or deformities. Palpate the abdomen to insure that it is soft and clear of impaction. Feel the upper back to assess if the bird is the proper weight. It is normal for the bony backbone to protrude above the adjacent flesh. If the bird is overweight, the fat layer on each side of the backbone will be easily palpable, giving a heart-shaped feel and appearance to the backbone area. You can double-check a bird's weight by feeling for fatty deposits over the breast plate below the neck. This area should also be bony to touch. To further insure that you are purchasing healthy birds, have birds veterinary inspected before taking them home.
The potential buyer should decide at which point in the production cycle they are entering the industry and where they wish to be in the future. Birds grow very rapidly, and it is important to be prepared with adequate housing for all types of weather conditions. Birds can be purchased at any stage of development, and these decisions should be based on a buyer's financial status and experience with livestock.
Option 1 - Purchasing fertile eggs: This is probably the least expensive way to
acquire livestock, but has a high risk factor and requires extensive cash outlay for
incubation equipment, and should be left to the experienced producer.
Option 2 - Young chicks: Chicks can be purchased as one-day-olds for a reasonably low
price. This is again a less expensive way to enter the industry, but mortality rates are
higher at this stage. Experienced producers are better prepared to handle some of the
problems encountered with rearing young stock.
Option 3 - Three to six month old chicks: Prices fluctuate more at this age, but it is
easier for even an inexperienced buyer to distinguish between lower and higher quality
birds. This age range is perhaps the most popular purchasing age as the birds have begun
to develop immunities and are more weather tolerant. Birds at this age are relatively easy
to handle and give the newcomer a "getting used to period" before the birds
achieve mature size.
Option 4 - Juvenile birds, or six months to one year old: This age range of birds are
extremely hardy and are easily judged for health and quality. At six months of age birds
can be insured, offering some protection to the newcomer. Birds at this age require little
care other than normal feeding and observation time.
Option 5 - One to two years: These birds, although more expensive, offer the buyer the
potential to go into production in the next year. They are extremely hardy and will
demonstrate characteristics of a mature breeding bird. They require little attention and
are close to full adult height.
Option 6 - Breeder birds - two years and up: Prices are much higher, but records of
laying production should be available. Remember when purchasing breeders that you will be
raising offspring, and incubation equipment (or custom incubation arrangements) and chick
facilities should also be in place. Your breeding stock will be potential producers for up
20 years, and should produce good returns on your original investment.
Option 7 - Boarding birds: The boarding birds of all ages is a service available
throughout Alberta. Fees vary from farm to farm. Usually a share of production and / or a
monthly fee is charged for the care of your birds.
Option 8 - Investments opportunities: Some people do not wish to own individual birds,
or do not have the land or time to raise birds. Investments in group of birds or farms
designed for investment buyers are available. Profits are distributed based on the success
rate of that particular farm.
The important thing to remember when purchasing any age of birds is to have a game plan, and use realistic pricing for your expected returns. In calculating your returns, it is advisable to use a reasonable rate of survival for offspring, and base the selling price of offspring on commercial values. Anything else is gravy.
Birds transport relatively easily and can be moved with common stock trailers. Some producers board up, or cover in, the open windows in stock trailers to prevent the ostrich from sticking their long necks out during travel, and injuring themselves. If windows are boarded up, insure that the trailer has proper vents for adequate airflow, and that air intakes are located well away from the truck exhaust system. Fresh straw or dry sand can be used for bedding on the floor of the stock trailer. To prevent injuries during travel, make sure that there are no sharp objects protruding into the interior of the trailer. Spaces between walls and partitions and gates should not exceed 1 inch. Allow a minimum of 8.5 square feet per adult bird.
Best success can be achieved by transporting after daylight hours, as ostrich can not see well in the dark, and tend to lie down and rest for the duration of the trip. However, if transporting during daylight hours, keep the trailer well lit, so that birds are oriented as to time of day.
Keep in mind the age of the birds, the weather, and the distance to be hauled. Day old chicks are best transported in the warm interior of a vehicle, in a basket with a hot water bottle (covered with a protective wrap to prevent scalds). Slightly older chicks that are too large for a "back seat", may still require extra warmth when transported in stock trailers during inclement weather. Older juvenile and adult birds are much more weather resistant, and can be transported on milder winter days, if provided with bedding. Remember that the wind chill factor increases during travel, so avoid movement of birds in extreme temperatures.
Most important, have your facility ready to receive your new birds on arrival. Feed and water should be pre-placed in pens. Among ostrich, sudden changes in feed should be avoided. Therefore it is a good idea to obtain a small amount of feed from the seller, to mix with your feed over the first few days.
Managing bird stress is an important part of transporting birds successfully. Keeping stress levels low is very important to the health of the bird in the post-transport phase. Best results are obtained by fast and efficient loading and unloading. The use of hoods during this process is beneficial.
Plan so that you can unload birds directly from the stock trailer into the new pen in a slightly darkened building, then leave birds to settle down, adjust to, and explore their new surroundings. Avoid loud noises and sudden movements that can panic birds. Minimize distractions like loud motors and farm dogs near the stock trailers. On arrival, observe birds closely for the first week to monitor stress levels. High stress is manifested in excessive pacing behavior, and in the eating of objects not normally part of the diet - sand, dirt, rocks, wood chips, etc.