Ostrich and other business (agro-tourism)

Some EU ostrich producers have suggested agro-tourism as a source of income. I have seen two of these in action: both farms were less than 20 kilometres from a tourist centre by the sea-side and both had a bar with a small shop selling ostrich products.

Over time one of them closed down but the other is still running, probably due to the transport facilities for visitors. But in actual fact neither one of them were real farms involved in ostrich production.

If ostrich farming is going to get involved in a new activity like agro-tourism, the European Community Funds for research won’t be easy to reach for institutions and scientists. It will be difficult to get financial support from Agricultural Departments of European Union member states for tourist activities, even more so if they don’t comply with animal welfare regulations or recommendations (i.e. if people visit farms during breeding season or if farm owners organize ostrich races or rides or other activities which could become dangerous for both animals and visitors).

EU research funds will be available to improve animal productions without making animal welfare worse and keeping the ostrich for farming purposes.

Two recent researches in this field, completed outside the EU, were an example of how to obtain funds, improving ostrich productions and permitting animal protection.

Declawing in ostrich chicks is used in some farms in Australia. The method allows reducing harmful behaviour among birds and improving the quality of the skin, not being evident the existence of chronic pain due to neurome development in amputated birds (Glatz, 2005 ).
Another paper deals with the harvest of feathers, a common practice in South Africa, without a significant effect on food consumption, rhythm of growth or conversion index (Brand, 2005).

I am convinced that if research improves, ostrich farming will too, but not agro-tourism. Therefore people that do not have a proper ostrich farm must not wait for their ostrich products to be developed through research funding in the EU. But if they do have a proper farm, including a tourist restaurant or a shop, it is possible, if they do not forget animal welfare and their own animal production.

QUESTION
Your ideas will be welcome on how to research improving proper ostrich farming…….

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