Ostrich Farm
March 29, 2010 Leave a comment
I am packing up and ready to head to the airport but first I have to tell you about the Ostrich Farm…
I am staying at a remote resort which is on an ostrich farm. The resort has 5 rooms in the main building and 15 huts; they are in the process of expanding and building 24 more rooms. I have been one of few guests but they are very busy at times. I have eaten ostrich meat twice and it is good.
They have 700 ostrich now but can have up to 2-3,000. It is the largest farm in central Africa and one of the largest in the entire country. They breed them and the eggs are huge, weighing a couple of pounds. They need a lot of care the first 30 days. They go through breeder pens and are kept according to age. By 3 or 4 months they are getting big. By 8 months they can be harvested and used for their meat, their feathers, and their valuable skin. The white feathers are the most valuable and are used by men in weddings.
The ostrich can run 60 km per hour (36 mph) and can weigh up to 150 kg ( 330 lbs) or more. You can get up to 40kg or 90 lbs of meat from one ostrich. I got to see the red neck one and the blue neck ones which are used in riding. One red neck got on his knees and spread his feathers for me as they do in the mating dance. What a sight!!
The older ones kept for breeding are up to 8 to 10 years of age. Their legs are magnificent and strong. Their nails are sharp and they have only two toes.
So that is a short course in ostrich education. I enjoyed seeing them up close.
Heading home from a wonderful trip with many fond memories.