OSTRICH RANCHING
Ostrich have been noted by mankind since the earliest recorded histories. Numerous references and notations exist throughout the bible and ostrich have played various roles in man's history. As early as medieval times, the wearing of ostrich plumes often represented the status of nobility. This trend continued with European nobility through the late 1800's. Feathers were obtained, in most instances, from birds killed in Northern Africa.
Beginning in the mid to late 1800's, ostrich farming in southern Africa emerged and developed into one of the largest businesses in South Africa by the turn of the century. Production in these areas was primarily related to feather marketing and a captive, cross-bred bird was developed that was smaller and more easily handled and produced excellent feather quality. This bird is often referred to as the South African "black" ostrich, a term coined by U.S. ostrich farmers.
The first ostrich were brought into the United States in 1882 and were taken to Southern California. Shortly afterwards, ranching became notable in Arizona, Florida, and Georgia. Production was for feathers for use in the European fashion markets and the decline in the demand for feathers that occurred at the turn of the century ended ostrich farming in North America. Ostrich farming in Southern Africa also suffered severely with the end of the feather trade. Presently, between 50,000 and 70,000 birds are slaughtered annually throughout South Africa, Israel, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Kenya primarily for the meat and leather products. Exact figures for the numbers of animals in North America are not available, although ostrich farming has become one of the fastest growing alternative or supplemental agricultural ventures available.