Practical Handbook on Ostrich Husbandry

This book has been written for the sole purpose of reaching those who are interested to establish an Ostrich farm. Ostrich farming is as old as any other traditional farming, but with higher rate of return. Ratites (Ostrich and emu) are the only poultry species which have wide variety of products which are accepted universally. This book provides all the recent and relevant information required for the establishment of Ostrich farming. There have been very few authors who have written on Ostrich farming. Both the authors had been closely associated with Ostrich rearing for many years. The wide gaps felt during their days of rearing ostriches have been filled up in this book for the new comers. Ostrich farming has been one of the money spinners in South Africa for many decades. The market for Ostrich products has not been as steady as expected in other enterprises. Initially they were reared for their beautiful flumes, then for their priceless skin and now for their exceptional health beneficial meat and oil. Lack of technical knowledge on nutrition, breeding, reproduction, health cover, etc. have further led to the decline in Ostrich rearing. The contents of this book has been conscientiously experienced and written. This book deals with the topics from the history of Ostrich farming to the future of Ostrich farming covering all aspects of Ostrich farming from chick to adult management, their nutrition, their health, their housing, their breeding, saleable products, etc.