The birds are transported live to Klein Karoo International ostrich processing facility which is designed to comply with relevant animal health, abattoir hygiene, and process and facility directives.
Klein Karoo International is committed to the sustainable and responsible farming of ostriches. Their ethos extends beyond the farmland and into the production and distribution of ostrich feather and leather products, with a focus on low impact manufacturing.
Klein Karoo International’s ostriches are raised to a live mass of about 90kg in natural surroundings on privately owned farms. The producers are dedicated farmers, aiming to raise the birds in the most acceptable way according to the legislation of the EU and DAFF. All ostriches from KKI are bred using good animal welfare protocols.
Their ostrich farming practices are based on a few fundamental freedoms - freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition; freedom from discomfort, pain injury and diseases, as well as freedom from fear and distress.
Ostriches are fed on pastures such as wheat, alfalfa, and alfalfa hay as well as energy and protein supplements to ensure a balanced ration. This includes energy sources such as maize, barley, oats; protein sources such as soya and canola; and roughage such as bran. All ostriches have individual official tags for traceability back to the farm.
South Africa was the first country in the world where ostrich farming started on a commercial basis, in the mid-1820s feathers were harveste...