How many years does it take to raise an ostrich before slaughter and the average lifespan of birds

How long does an ostrich grow before slaughter?

Ostriches are slaughtered after they have gained sufficient weight. Since this process depends more on the food supply than on age, they are guided by body weight. Males are sent for slaughter after they gain 120 kg of live weight. Since they are not used to produce eggs, there is no point in keeping them further. Females are considered ready for slaughter if they weigh 100 kg.

To obtain high-quality meat in the required quantity, ostriches are raised for about two years, after which, immediately before slaughter, they are actively fed with high-calorie feed.

All about ostrich breeding: rules, benefits, costs and productivity

Other advantages of ostrich meat:

1. a large set of microelements;
2. well soaked in spices, it is an excellent culinary object.
3. low fat content;
4. high protein content – ​​up to 22%;

Ostrich meat has long won the favor of Mexicans; it has many fans in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Thus, Europeans have significantly reduced their beef consumption due to increased sales of ostrich meat. And the popularity of this unique meat continues to grow.

The meat yield per individual is approximately 30 kg. This represents 40% of the bird's live weight. The cost of carcass in European markets is about $500.

In Russia, the cost of meat in a carcass is 250 rubles, fillet – 700-800 rubles. Eggs Ostrich eggs are real giants to match their laying hens.

One egg weighs on average 1500 g. This is equivalent in weight to 30 chicken eggs.

We recommend reading: Get a Leningrad region benefit card

It turns out that you can feed 10 people with one ostrich egg.

What you need to know before slaughter

An ostrich differs from a chicken not only in size, but also in character. If you have just started breeding these birds, then you need to learn a few important rules that will help you not only quickly complete the operation, but also avoid serious injuries.

Video: how to properly kill ostriches

1. Don't underestimate the power of ostriches . Animals are distinguished not only by their large size, but also by the presence of well-developed muscles, so in no case should you frighten or hit the bird immediately before slaughter. An adult ostrich may well break your bones and also damage your internal organs.
2. He who grows it slaughters it . In rural areas there is always a person who kills wild boars. A specialist in his field slaughters a pig quickly and without unnecessary problems. It won’t be possible to do something similar with ostriches, since these birds get used to one owner, who is forced to slaughter. At best, the bird will not allow a stranger to come near it, and at worst, it will seriously injure it. For this reason, you need to make sure that the ostriches get used to you, otherwise you will have to organize a real hunt.
3. Stress and its consequences . Slaughter is always carried out far from the place where the livestock is kept, otherwise you will be faced with the fact that the ostriches, who are accustomed to you, will never let you near them again. If the birds see how you mock their “brother”, then in the future you will not be able to gain any favor from them.

Poultry health

Due to the uniqueness and high cost of the bird, concern for its health comes to the fore. Ostriches are at risk for respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. That’s why it’s so important for them to have no drafts in the ostrich nest and to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards.

• Regularly maintaining cleanliness in the poultry house and changing litter. Clean drinking bowls and feeders daily.
• Checking ostrich feces for changes in color, consistency, and the presence of parasites. This way you can detect intestinal infections in time.
• Vaccinate the bird in a timely manner.
• Set up a quarantine pen. It must contain poultry purchased from other farms. And also our own with the first signs of the disease.

Breeding ostriches for your own needs and out of love for this bird is not profitable. Large financial investments are required for initial breeding and further maintenance. Without plans to make a profit in the future, this activity is meaningless.

But if you plan to start it as a business, then this is a very promising direction. The niche is no longer empty, but not yet filled. This means that you will be able to avoid making the mistakes that are typical of pioneers. And at the same time, you will be among the first to receive all the dividends due to them.

How to properly kill an ostrich

Let's consider the features of slaughter, as well as preparation for this procedure. We will talk about mass killing, which is carried out in slaughterhouses, as well as about methods of slaughter at home.

Preparation

You need to have the following tools:

• special stunning hammer;
• sharp knife;
• large metal hook for hanging;
• thick rope.

Slaughter process

Killing poultry is divided into several stages, which must be performed sequentially so as not to spoil the product and not waste extra time.

Stunning a bird

In large workshops, ostriches are stunned using an electric current with a voltage of 240 V, which is applied for 6–7 seconds. This allows you to immobilize several individuals at once. At home, a stunning hammer is used to hit the bird on the head. The blow must land exactly in the center of the head in order for the bird to switch off. Otherwise, you will have a hard time, as the angry ostrich will try to get out of the room or attack you.

Bleeding

After stunning the ostrich, the jugular vein, which is located in the neck, is cut, or the head is completely cut off. Next, using hooks, the carcass is hung upside down so that the blood flows faster than the glass. Only after all the blood has left the body can the next stage begin. Experienced breeders cut the main artery, which is located near the heart. This allows you to speed up the entire process, since the liquid comes out under pressure.

Plucking

After slaughter, it is necessary to properly pluck the ostrich. To do this, it is recommended to invite a specialist who will carry out this procedure, allowing you to subsequently sell the undamaged product. If a novice does the plucking, then the collected feathers will be of poor quality, which will make selling them problematic.

Video: plucking an ostrich It is important not to damage the skin during plucking.
Even the slightest tear will significantly reduce the cost. Since leather is sold in squares, you may lose profit altogether.

Breeding ostriches: why and how profitable

Due to its unusual origin, it is in demand among chefs of restaurants and active recreation clubs, as well as among the population concerned about the health and beauty of physical forms;

The cholesterol content in ostrich meat is at a fairly low level due to the constant increase in the cost of food, including the increase in the never-before-democratic price of ostrich products. Interest in ostrich products is constantly increasing; free access to the national market for products of domestic manufacturers, in contrast to foreign colleagues.

Restrictions on the import of foreign products give domestic producers carte blanche; subject to all appropriate conditions, the ostrich business may qualify for benefits and other favorable conditions;

Entrepreneurs involved in ostrich farming can, in some cases, count on assistance from the state in the form of subsidies or benefits

Ostrich business: breeding ostriches at home. How much does an ostrich cost in Russia?

When butchering an ostrich carcass, you will get around 28-30 kg of meat.

This figure is half the weight of the bird. Just one unit of sold ostrich carcass will bring you $600. Note that in many American and European markets the cost ranges from 18 to 20 dollars.

Poultry fat is used mainly for pharmacological purposes and in the manufacture of cosmetics.

Indeed, creams, soaps, all kinds of ointments and balms are made from ostrich fat. Emu fat has more valuable qualities, which, in turn, is a bactericidal and hypoallergenic agent.

We recommend reading: How to return a bank deposit if your husband dies

One adult can bring from 5 to 15 kg. This product. An ostrich egg weighs approximately 500 to 2000 grams, which can be equated to 30 to 40 grams of a similar chicken product. The price of such an egg will be approximately 12-17 dollars.

The shelf life of this product is quite long; it can be stored in the refrigerator compartment for 12 months.

Leather dressing: processes

After plucking, the skin must be removed so that it can be further processed and sold. No one will buy small torn flaps, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the specifics of separating the cover from meat and bones.

Skin removal

Immediately after removing all feathers, you must immediately begin to separate the skin:

1. To do this, cuts are made in the center of the abdomen, as well as on the inside of the legs and wings. Remove carefully using the blunt side of the knife. The skin should have a shape close to a square.
2. If there is excrement, fat, meat or unprocessed food residue on it, then all of the above should be removed before canning.
3. Next, the skin is laid out on a clean surface to cool.

Proper slaughter of ostriches for meat

African black ostriches are more suitable than other species for breeding in our country with its harsh winters and cold weather. Raising them on a farm is a profitable business - there they lay eggs, hatch their offspring, and when the time comes, they are slaughtered for meat. Emus are also bred on the farm. Every farmer knows how to properly slaughter an ostrich.

Meat is one of the main products of ostrich breeding

What breeds of ostriches are bred

• South American (rhea). The shortest and lightest breed of ostrich.

• Height is about 150 cm.
• Weight - 40 kg.

• Australian (emus). In terms of weight and height parameters, it occupies an average position in this breed of birds.

• Height - maximum 190 cm.
• Weight - 70 kg.

• African. They are the largest.

• Height - 2.7 meters.
• Weight - more than 150 kg.

By crossing a black African female with a Zimbabwean ostrich, a hybrid was developed that is most often used for breeding on private farms. They reproduce quickly and are easy to keep. They can easily tolerate both heat (+ 40 degrees) and cold (- 29 degrees). Only ostrich chicks up to six months need a temperature of at least sixteen degrees.

What are the benefits of raising exotic birds?

The ostrich (emu, African, Somali) is the largest bird in the world. Some males grow up to 2 and a half meters, and their average weight is 150 kg. Females are smaller in size and weigh no more than 120 kg. At one year of age, an ostrich weighs about 120 kg and is quite ready to be slaughtered for meat. This is best done in a special slaughterhouse, which is equipped in each farm. Emus are slightly smaller than African ostriches.

There is currently a shortage of ostrich meat on the meat market. To provide for everyone, it is necessary to increase its production 10 times. Farmers have not yet been able to feed the thirsty with dishes prepared from exotic ostrich meat. On the farm, large birds feel no worse than in the wild: they lay eggs and reproduce quickly. One female lays about 80 large and tasty eggs during the year.

The Australian emu is also bred for meat.

Ostrich farming and its advantages

The cost of breeding an ostrich depends on its age. A five-day-old chick will cost $100, a month old - $250, two adult birds - around $4,000.

The business is beneficial due to the lack of waste. Any part of an ostrich is a sought-after commodity. Lean meat is sold to restaurants and stores. From each individual you will receive at least 30 kilograms of a tasty product at a high cost.

Elite establishments prefer liver, which is an exotic dish. Poultry fat is purchased by pharmacological and cosmetology institutions. It is included in creams, ointments and other products.

Eggs are distinguished by their exquisite taste combined with nutritional value. You can store them for a year, using them for painting, cutting and engraving, as gift products. The price of fertilized eggs reaches $100. One female produces 60 pieces annually. It's easy to calculate net revenue.

Feathers are used to make pillows and decorations. They are in demand among theatrical costume designers, accounting for almost 10% of total profits. Ostrich leather is very elastic, resistant to moisture, and durable. It is bought by making haberdashery goods, clothing, and shoes. A square meter will bring $300. Buttons and fasteners are made from claws. Even ostrich droppings act as the most valuable fertilizer.

Why are ostriches not slaughtered on the farm?

Birds are not slaughtered on a farm: birds react inadequately to stress. They start to panic, run away and break everything they come across along the way. Therefore, people who slaughter them must know all the intricacies of caring for birds. With proper care, you can achieve good reproduction of ostriches and prosperous business.

Farmers first use electric shock to euthanize the birds. This is done with special equipment that only a large farm can afford to purchase. Another method: the bird is stunned by hitting it on the head, after which the aorta is cut and the blood is allowed to flow out.

The ostrich business brings in up to 2 million rubles. per year from each ostrich family

Ostrich farming is considered a profitable business; these exotic birds are called money printing machines. Within two years, an entrepreneur can fully recoup expenses and earn up to 2 million rubles. per year from each ostrich family.

Ostriches do not require special living conditions; all they need is space. Moreover, these birds live on average 60–70 years and produce offspring for 25–30 years. For two ostrich families, it is necessary to purchase a plot of 10 acres or more, where pens for adult birds will be located, a small building where they can spend the winter and where incubators and feeders will be located. A plot of land of the required size with communications and an ordinary village house in these areas costs, according to Nizhny Novgorod real estate agencies, an average of 300 to 400 thousand rubles.

What you need to know about ostriches for their slaughter

• Ostriches are unpredictable birds that lend themselves well to taming. This is their positive feature, because otherwise it is impossible to slaughter them for meat. Every owner of an ostrich farm knows that in order to find contact with a bird, a person must become its breadwinner and drinker, and communicate with the ostrich as often as possible. Young ostrich chicks are more easily tamed to the people caring for them. Killing an ostrich that is accustomed to you is very simple - just move it further away from prying eyes, and then, using an electric current, a gun, a hammer and a knife, carry out this bloody task. To bleed a bird, it is hung upside down by its legs and the skin and feathers are removed. Emus are a little more difficult to train than African ostriches.
• It is necessary to be able to correctly kill large birds, which, sensing danger, can injure or kill a person.

The ostrich is a strong bird; if it senses danger, it can cause serious injury.

Slaughter is the last step in obtaining meat. The following factors affect the skin and meat:

• Conditions under which emus are transported. They negatively affect the quality of meat due to the birds’ poor resistance to stress.
• Maintenance of birds before slaughter.
• Preparing emus for slaughter.

Transport for slaughter causes stress in birds due to temperature fluctuations, changes in humidity, and long travel. To avoid the negative impact of transportation, during the transportation of ostriches it is necessary to strictly follow veterinary, sanitary and zoohygienic rules to prevent injury to the birds.

Having received stress during preparation, the birds' biochemical processes are disrupted, and the quality of the meat becomes worse.

Slaughter process and primary meat processing

To carry out slaughter you need:

• Hammer.
• Knife.
• Separate room.
• A rope and hook on which a slaughtered ostrich is hung.

The slaughter of birds is carried out in slaughterhouses, which are converted for these birds. Emu destined for slaughter - 12-14 month old males weighing 100-120 kg - are collected in lairage pens rather than on the farm. Then, in order of priority, they are taken to a special chamber for slaughter, where they are stunned and bled dry.

They are stunned using an electric shock with a voltage of 235 V - 6 seconds is enough. The birds are then bled by cutting the jugular vein, which is located under the head, or the main artery, located near the heart. Using the latter method quickly and completely bleeds the bird. To protect the workers performing slaughter, the carcass is hung by the legs. After bleeding, the carcass is cut up: feathers are plucked and the birds are skinned. The skin is immediately cleaned and sprinkled with salt. Then it is stored in stacks.

After removing the skin, the carcass is turned over and hung on the wings to make gutting convenient. After cleaning and washing the carcass, it is placed in the refrigerator.

Differences in skin quality

Salted hides are evaluated by measuring their area to determine their quality. Wet salted skin is measured using special instruments. Emu skins can be:

The larger the area of ​​the skin, the more expensive it is

The cost of an adult skin is the highest. In addition, skins are distinguished by grade:

• The first grade includes fresh, high-quality preserved skin, with well-scraped meat, having full size - wings, legs and neck. It must be free of cuts, holes and other defects. Third grade, with the allowance of two small defects.
• Not varietal - skins that are stale and poorly preserved (with the smell of ammonia, having a spongy structure).
• Second grade, in which a small defect is allowed.

When is it time to slaughter?

Ostriches are slaughtered after they reach a certain weight. A bird is considered ready for slaughter:

• males – weighing 120 kg;
• females - weighing 100 kg.

There is no point in keeping males after reaching 120 kg; females can be kept for the sake of obtaining eggs.

The rate of weight gain depends on your diet and diet. The better you feed ostriches, the shorter their lifespan. When slaughtering, experienced farmers focus not on the age of the birds, but on their weight. Ostriches usually reach the required weight in the second year of life. Birds being prepared for slaughter are fed a special diet.

Feeding

When feeding ostriches, it is easier and better to use ready-made feed. All nutritional elements in such feeds are balanced. But in this case, maintenance costs will increase by almost 40%.

To calculate feeding costs, it is necessary to take into account that

• an ostrich eats 400-500 kg of food up to 12-14 months a year,
• older ostrich - 700-800 kg of feed.

You are unlikely to find separate feed for ostriches. Therefore, use chicken feed for the appropriate age group.

They also need grass (they like alfalfa) and shell rock with vitamins. The young are fed four times a day. Then he is transferred to the diet of an adult bird - twice a day (morning and evening). Do not leave the daily dose of food for the next day.

When females lay eggs they require increased nutrition. Therefore, they are advised to be fed separately from males.

There is no need to feed ostrich chicks for a week after birth. Their stomach is not yet able to digest food coming from outside. What was already in the egg is enough for them. After this time, the ostriches are fed as follows:

• up to a month - mixed feed, in which the protein content is 24%. You can give cottage cheese and boiled eggs, alfalfa (it has a lot of protein);
• from a month to three - the protein content in feed decreases to 19%, and fiber to no more than 12%.
• For the proper functioning of the stomach, grown young birds, just like adult birds, need gravel pebbles.

Ostrich chicks, like chickens, whoever takes care of them, they obey, and they follow him. To avoid infection of young animals, they must be kept separate from adults. Chicks should add five grams of B vitamins to their drinking water.

Where are ostriches slaughtered?

Slaughtering an ostrich is not as easy as regular poultry. And the first difficulty awaits farmers at the very beginning - ostriches cannot be slaughtered on the farm. These birds are so timid that they begin to panic at the slightest noise or danger - they run away, breaking everything in their path. The slaughter of ostriches is carried out in a special slaughter room with strong walls.

If you slaughter ostriches on a farm, the remaining livestock will suffer enormous stress. In the future, the birds will not allow humans to approach them; moreover, they are capable of attacking people if they feel they are enemies. These birds are so strong that they can even kill.

An ostrich being prepared for slaughter is transferred to the slaughterhouse. But so that he does not experience stress, otherwise the quality of the meat will decrease.

The large size of the ostrich, and its strength, become a problem during slaughter. You can't handle him as easily as you can handle a duck or goose. Sensing danger, the giant can show aggression, strike, and even kill. This is why it is so important to tame ostriches. When the time for slaughter comes, they can be calmly taken to the slaughterhouse, without panic or resistance.

Taming begins from a very early age, so that ostriches perceive humans as breadwinners and drinkers.

Tools and equipment are prepared for slaughter:

• stun hammer;
• sharpened knife;
• thick rope;
• metal hook - for hanging the carcass.

On large farms, before slaughter, ostriches are euthanized with electric shock - for this you have to purchase special, expensive equipment.

How much does an ostrich grow and weigh, how much meat does an adult ostrich contain?

If we talk about the average weight of an adult bird, then we should consider the performance of several of the most popular species of ostriches.

Some entrepreneurs cooperate to sell large volumes of goods at a higher price. But ostrich breeding is interesting not only for the sale of meat. Ostrich eggs also have a high price.

All of them are found in semi-desert areas and savannas of Africa and Australia and lead a similar lifestyle, but their weight can vary quite a lot. These birds feel good not only in natural conditions, but also on farms, which has made it possible to tame them quite strongly and raise them for agricultural purposes.

We also recommend reading: Domestic ostriches, which you can see on farms, are distinguished by their impressive dimensions and equally decent weight. This breed is best suited for breeding on a farm.

The African black breed was the result of crossing two other breeds - North African and South African.

It is these ostriches that children most often meet during an excursion to a zoo or an ostrich farm.

Step-by-step instructions for slaughter

The slaughter process consists of several stages that must proceed sequentially. The quality of the product depends on the accuracy of each stage.

Stun

Stunning is carried out in one of two ways:

• Electric shock. A voltage of 240 V is applied to the bird for 6-7 seconds. Several individuals are immobilized at the same time. This method is used on large farms.
• With a hammer. The ostrich is hit on the head - exactly in the center, with a hammer. It is important to hit accurately and firmly so that the bird switches off immediately.

Bleeding

The jugular vein located in the neck is cut in a stunned bird. Or they cut off the whole head. Then the carcass is hung with hooks by the legs so that the blood can drain. When all the blood has flowed out, move on to the next stage.

In order for the blood to flow out as quickly as possible, you need to cut the main artery - it is located near the heart.

How ostriches are slaughtered is described in the video below:

What mistakes can be made?

Slaughtering ostriches is a responsible undertaking that requires comprehensive preparation. Mistakes that farmers may make due to lack of experience:

• Slaughter in front of the herd. This absolutely cannot be done. The ostriches will get stressed. When they rush to run, they are able to break the fence of the pen.
• Attempts to drive ostriches into the slaughterhouse. If you use force or show aggression, it will cause panic throughout the herd. And individuals destined for slaughter will receive stress, due to which their meat will be of lower quality.
• Incorrect stunning technique. If you strike with a hammer not hard enough or not in the center of the head, the bird may start running, show aggression, and given its strength, the outcome of the fight is unpredictable.

The slaughter of ostriches cannot be entrusted to a beginner - this process requires professional experience. Typically, this responsible procedure is entrusted to farm workers who care for the bird from birth. Ostriches get used to them and trust them. Inexperienced people should not be allowed to slaughter; it should be remembered that an ostrich kills a person with one kick.

Sources:

https://agronomu.com/bok/7500-zaboy-strausa-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html https://selomoe.ru/strausy/kak-zabit-strausa.html https://ogorody-sady.ru/ hozyaystvo/kak-zabivat-strausa-poshagovye-instruktsii.html

Rules for caring for birds at home for beginners

The floor of the poultry house is covered with a layer of dry straw or shavings. Wood shavings need to be introduced to shavings gradually, as birds can eat them. The room should be bright, warm, without drafts. The temperature in the room for young animals should not fall below zero. Adults are kept at a temperature of 20˚C and a humidity of 60%. The length of daylight hours is natural in summer, and at least 9 hours in winter. With good lighting, the birds' appetite increases and an increase in live weight is noted.

Ostriches do not like noise or sharp sounds. When frightened, they may run away, hit themselves, or injure themselves. Constant irritation from noise provokes in birds a decrease in productivity, food consumption, feather pecking and pecking. You need to care for ostriches in the same way as other birds, that is, remove droppings and bedding, ventilate the house. Clean feeders and drinkers every day to ensure no food remains in them.

A paddock for walking needs to be built next to the poultry house. Its walls must also be high - at least 2 m, and made of durable material. You can let ostriches out for a walk even in mild frost, but you need to make sure that the surface is not icy.

In addition to the poultry house and paddock, the farm must have a quarantine room where sick or suspicious birds, as well as newcomers, are placed.