Ostrich farming?

[Sheenar]

Ostrich farming

I'm currently working on a Powerpoint presentation for my Agriculture Communications class about ostrich farming.

I think it's an interesting idea. We don't have too many around here --Texas has mostly cattle, sheep, goats and horses.

According to this site, they're raised for their meat and leather. (Ostriches have leather?)

What do you guys think of the idea of farming ostriches? Has anyone eaten ostrich meat?

[Esoteric]

I haven't eaten ostrich, but there's an Ostrich ranch nearby. Pretty sure the meat is dark red and is usually served as a steak, but I've seen signs advertising ostrich jerky before. The eggs are edible too, although I think it's mostly a novelty. The feathers are often used to make feather dusters, or I suppose hat /costume feathers too. Ostrich leather is used for purses/wallets and that sort of thing.

But I don't know about farming them. That ostrich ranch has been around a while, so it must be fairly lucrative. A neighbor I never talk to has an ostrich, so all I really know is that they can make some weird sounds.

[Tsukuyomi]

Lol, is that why you wished for an Ostrich in the "Corrupted Wish Game)", Sheenar

Lol, I remember my sister was chased by an ostrich when we were younger

They like buttons.. shiny ones O_____O

[bakura_fan]

hmm. reminds me of the dirty jobs episode. See if you can find the one at the ostrich farm. might help. never mind...I'll just give it to ya...here.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/852395/dirty_jobs_ostrich_farm/
in case the first one doesn't load...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqAlHjPq_J8

[QtheQreater]

I've eaten ostrich before. Tastes pretty good, if it's cooked right.

Farming ostriches is a fairly lucrative business, but you've got to have a lot of capital to start a farm. I've been to a farm or two...they told me that they make plenty of money selling the eggs to artists and collectors in addition to selling the meat. One of the reasons ostrich farming it isn't that popular, though, is that there's a risk factor. Ostriches are dangerous; a full grown male can rip you open with its talons if you aren't careful.

One other thing...I don't know if this was just some idiot at our local rodeo that thought of this, but you can ride ostriches. It's a really dumb thing to do, but I've seen it.

[beau99]

One other thing...I don't know if this was just some idiot at our local rodeo that thought of this, but you can ride ostriches. It's a really dumb thing to do, but I've seen it.

It's not dumb if you're trained to do it right. They also make beaucoup bucks.

The ostrich races out here have a HUGE crowd every time they take place.

[GeneD]

Ostrich farming is not uncommon in South Africa, that site you have even gives a link to a South African site (yay).

According to this site, they're raised for their meat and leather. (Ostriches have leather?)

Well, they have skin, which is "made" into leather.

We have a couple of ostrich burger patties sitting in the fridge at home.

[EricTheFred]

Ostrich! Totemo oishii desu yo!

Ostrich leather is very good stuff. Ostrich is one of the more popular 'exotic' leathers for western-style boots. (that's 'Cowboy boots' to you Yankees!)

[QtheQreater]

It's not dumb if you're trained to do it right. They also make beaucoup bucks.

The ostrich races out here have a HUGE crowd every time they take place.

The ostrich farmers explained it to me this way...the birds are not tame, and they can kill you. What happened at the rodeo I went to is probably different from what you're talking about. I'm guessing the guy wasn't "trained." He got hurt...bad.

Out of curiosity, do they race the ostriches out there by hitching them up to a cart or just by riding on the back? Can you just ride on the back?

[creed4]

I've had Ostrich egg before. It tastes like chicken, go figure... I'm told that their is no market for ostrich meat in this area. that's why the person I talked to only raises three now

[GeneD]

Out of curiosity, do they race the ostriches out there by hitching them up to a cart or just by riding on the back? Can you just ride on the back?

They race by just riding on the back. There are a lot of pictures and information on Google if you want proof. I've never done it so I don't know how difficult it is, but I'm sure the guys who race have some sort of "training" or at least a decent amount of practice.

[Mithrandir]

I'm going to totally gloss over all the Chocobo related humor here, and actually answer the question. I have eaten ostrich meat before. I would say it is somewhat (meaning noticibly) more fatty than chicken, turkey, etc.

That's not to say it was foul. Well, I guess it's kinda fowl, but, uh... Nevermind. Ignore this part of the post.

[EricTheFred]

I'm going to totally gloss over all the Chocobo related humor here, and actually answer the question. I have eaten ostrich meat before. I would say it is somewhat (meaning noticibly) more fatty than chicken, turkey, etc.

That's not to say it was foul. Well, I guess it's kinda fowl, but, uh... Nevermind. Ignore this part of the post.

The taste is definitely a bird meat taste. I don't think I got chicken the first time (as someone in a previous post did) but I've had a lot of different types of bird meat, and it definitely belongs grouped in with them.

Nutrionally, however, it is supposed to be closer to the leaner cuts of beef than anything else. Culinarily, it cooks somewhat like beef, too.

So yeah, more fatty than chicken, turkey etc. In terms of fat content, it's more like duck or goose, but the flavor isn't like those.