Can You Really Make Money Raising Ostriches? Benefit and Prospect Analysis

The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. An adult can reach 2.5 m in height and 150 kg in weight. It lives in the desert grasslands and savanna regions of Africa. Because its feathers, hide and meat all have high economic value, and because it grows fast, reproduces strongly, is easy to raise and resists disease well, it has been widely domesticated in many countries. Let's take a look below at whether raising ostriches can really make money!

How much does it cost to invest in raising ostriches?

1. Feed: each ostrich needs 300 kg of concentrated feed per year, which at 2 yuan per kg comes to 600 yuan; green forage, mainly immature corn stalks and leaves and sweet sorghum, costs about 300 yuan per bird per year, for a total feed investment of 900 yuan.

2. Other: amortization and depreciation of various infrastructure (water, electricity, site, fencing, equipment, etc.) is 100 yuan per bird per year, feed additives 100 yuan per bird, and epidemic prevention, disinfection and contingency costs 200 yuan per bird.

3. Total: buying a young ostrich costs 300 yuan each; 900 yuan + 100 yuan + 100 yuan + 200 yuan + 300 yuan = 1900 yuan, so raising one ostrich requires an investment of 1600 yuan per year.

How much can you earn raising ostriches?

1. Ostrich meat: a young bird can reach over 100 kg in 10 months. Ostrich meat sells for 70 to 80 yuan per kg. If the meat yield is calculated at 45%, each ostrich can produce 36 kg of ostrich meat, worth about 3150 yuan.

2. Ostrich eggs: one ostrich can lay 50 to 60 eggs a year, and one ostrich egg generally sells for more than 40 to 60 yuan, giving an output value of 2500 yuan.

3. Ostrich hide: the price of each ostrich hide varies by grade, ranging from 800 to 1500 yuan, and the output value is calculated at 1000 yuan.

4. Total profit: raising one ostrich can bring in 3150 yuan + 2500 yuan + 1000 yuan = 6650 yuan per year, and profit = 6650 yuan - 1600 yuan = 5050 yuan.

What advantages does raising ostriches have?

1. Strong adaptability: ostriches rarely get sick and have low temperature requirements, needing only to be kept between minus 40 degrees and plus 40 degrees.

2. Low cost: the ostrich is a herbivorous bird that feeds mainly on plant material, so the cost of raising it is very low.

3. Fast growth: the ostrich grows very quickly, reaching over two hundred jin after a year of raising, with a meat yield of up to 50%.

4. Long lifespan: the ostrich lives a long time, with an average lifespan of 60 years, and it has a high egg-laying rate, producing around 130 eggs per year.

5. Good market: ostrich farming is an emerging breeding industry, and few people are raising them at present, so the market prospects are very good.

Extra: Ostrich breeding techniques

1. Site selection: the site chosen must meet epidemic prevention requirements, and it is best to keep it away from other livestock farms, with convenient transport and sufficient water and electricity. The most suitable place is sandy grassland with flat terrain that does not collect water.

2. Penning by groups: divide the farm into pens, each with an area of about 3 to 5 mu. If raising breeding ostriches, each pen can hold 1 to 2 groups (each group being 1 male and 2 females). Wire mesh can be used for the pen dividers, but be careful that there are no sharp points.

3. Building shade shelters: each pen should have a shade shelter of about 20 sq m, and feed should be given under the shelter to prevent rain from soaking it. Soft aluminum trays can be used for feed and water trays, or washed old car tires cut open.

4. Raising chicks

① First feeding: the first week is the most critical for chicks. They do not need feed during the first 2 to 3 days. After 3 days the chicks usually begin to eat and drink. During the first three days after they start eating, check the chicks often, and if diarrhea is found, treat it immediately.

② Feed: chick feed can be chicken pellets, preferably brightly colored ones (red, yellow, green), fed three times a day with an appropriate amount of vitamins added; chopped hard-boiled eggs and carrots can also be used.

③ Drinking water: vitamins should also be added to the drinking water, and it should be colored so that the young birds will drink on their own. In addition, one-month-old birds love to eat foreign objects, so do not let them eat too much, and pay attention to keeping the pen clean and hygienic.