Have you ever wondered what you can do with an ostrich if you had it? You might have thought that an ostrich can be used to pull carts, it can be used to produce meat, hide and hair, and it can even be used as a pet. Sounds great, right? But, did you know that raising an ostrich is not an easy task, it requires a lot of investment and management, and it also comes with a lot of risks and challenges? So what kind of industry is ostrich farming? Why do some people say that it can make a profit of 2 million in three years, and the people who raise it?
Advantages of ostrich farming: diversified sources of income
Ostrich meat is a high-protein, low-fat, low-cholesterol meat, which has good nutritional value and taste, and is known as the "steak of the animal world". The market demand for ostrich meat is very large, especially in developed countries such as Europe and the United States, and the price of ostrich meat is also very high, generally more than 100 yuan per kilogram. Ostrich leather is a very precious leather raw material, its texture is delicate, soft to the touch, wear-resistant and durable, is the first choice for making high-end leather goods. The price of ostrich skin is also very high, generally more than 5,000 yuan per square meter.
Ostrich feather is a very light natural fiber, it has good heat retention and moisture absorption, and is a high-quality material for making down jackets, pillows, blankets and other supplies. The price of ostrich feathers is not low, generally more than 200 yuan per kilogram. Ostrich eggs are a very large egg, the weight of one ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 eggs, it is also highly nutritious, rich in protein, calcium, iron and other elements. Ostrich eggs can be used for food or to make handicrafts, and it is also very expensive, generally more than 500 yuan each.
Ostrich bone is a very hard bone, which can be used to make handicrafts such as bone carving, bone beads, bone carving, etc., and can also be used to extract bone collagen for beauty and health care. The price of ostrich bone is also expensive, generally more than 100 yuan per kilogram. It can be seen that the advantage of ostrich breeding is that it can provide a diversified source of income, and each ostrich can produce high economic value, which is one of the reasons why some people say that ostrich breeding can make a profit of 2 million in three years.
Disadvantages of ostrich farming: high input costs
Ostrich fry is the first and most important step in ostrich farming, because the quality of ostrich fry directly affects the growth and yield of ostriches. The price of ostrich fry is very high, generally more than 3,000 yuan per ostrich fry, and the supply of ostrich fry is also very tight, requiring advance reservations, and sometimes importing from abroad, increasing the cost and risk of transportation and quarantine.
Ostrich feed is the main expenditure of ostrich breeding, because ostriches eat a lot of food, need to eat about 10% of their body weight every day, and ostrich feed requirements are very high, need to contain enough protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, can not be fed casually. The price of ostrich feed is not low, generally more than 5 yuan per kilogram, and the market for ostrich feed is also unstable, and sometimes there will be a situation where supply exceeds demand, resulting in an increase in prices.
The ostrich field is the foundation of ostrich breeding, and it is also the largest investment, because ostriches need a lot of space to move, each ostrich needs at least 100 square meters of space, and the site requirements are very high, there needs to be enough grass, water, shade, fences and other facilities, without any pollution and noise. The price of the ostrich site is also very high, generally more than 100,000 yuan per mu, and the location of the ostrich site is also very important, which needs to take into account factors such as transportation, market, and climate, and cannot be chosen casually.
The risks of ostrich farming: volatile market demand
Although ostrich meat is nutritious and delicious, its price is also very high, generally more than 100 yuan per kilogram, and its taste is not acceptable to everyone, some people will even have a sense of resistance to ostrich meat, thinking that it is game, unhygienic and unsafe. Therefore, the consumers of ostrich meat are mainly some high-income groups, or some people with special food preferences, and these groups of people are not large in number, and they are also vulnerable to economic and social influences, resulting in fluctuations in demand.
Although ostrich skin has excellent texture and comfortable feel, its price is also very high, generally more than 5,000 yuan per square meter, and its color and style are relatively single, which is not suitable for the public's aesthetics. Therefore, the consumers of ostrich leather are mainly some high-end leather goods brands, or some people who have a special preference for leather, and the number of these people is not large, and they are also easily affected by the market and competition, resulting in a decline in demand.
Although the heat retention and moisture absorption of ostrich feather are very good, its price is not low, generally more than 200 yuan per kilogram, and its color and shape are also relatively monotonous, not very suitable for fashion matching. Therefore, the consumers of ostrich feathers are mainly some high-end down jacket brands, or some people who have special preferences for down jackets, and the number of these groups is not large, and they are also easily affected by the season and climate, resulting in changes in demand.
Although ostrich eggs are nutritious and large-scale, their price is also very expensive, generally more than 500 yuan each, and its taste and texture are not everyone's liking, and some people will even feel that it is too fishy, too oily, and too greasy. Therefore, the consumers of ostrich eggs are mainly some high-end restaurants, or some people with special preferences for eggs, and the number of these groups is not large, and they are also easily affected by food safety and hygiene, resulting in a decrease in demand.
Although ostrich bone is hard and durable, it can be used to make various handicrafts and extract collagen, but its price is also expensive, generally more than 100 yuan per kilogram, and its market is relatively niche, not very popular and recognized by the public. Therefore, the consumers of ostrich bones are mainly some high-end craft stores, or some people with special needs for beauty and health care, and the number of these people is not large, and they are also easily affected by technology and innovation, resulting in lower demand.
epilogue
Although ostrich farming has diversified economic benefits, including meat, skin, hair, eggs, bones, etc., it is also accompanied by high input costs and unstable market demand. Farmers face challenges such as supply chain pressures and market awareness. For the statement of a three-year profit of 2 million, it is necessary to fully consider the scale of breeding, management level and market conditions. While pursuing profits, it is important to ensure animal welfare and food safety to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the industry.