The practicalities of raising ostriches

摘要

For centuries the magnificent plumage of ostriches has been highly prized for the decoration of apparel by diverse civilisations. Originally the feathers were collected from birds in the wild, no mean task since the flightless ostrich is the fastest living creature on two legs, and very mean-tempered into the bargain. The demand for ostrich plumage in the middle of the 19th century led to the establishment of specialised farms in the Cape Colony of South Africa, centred around the town of Oudtshoorn. By 1912, the value of exports of feathers from South Africa was fourth after gold, diamonds and wool.