The Maasai Ostrich Farm is largest commercial hub for ostrich farming in East Africa and the only on ein Kenya.
Establishment in 1991, the farm keeps up to 1,000 birds of the blue-neck ostrich and the Maasai ostrich.
The farm ships feathers, meat, skins and live ostrich to different parts of the country and abroad.
Here is what WoK has gathered about the Maasai Ostrich Farm.
Background
As of August 2022, the farm had a total 318 ostriches although they had secluded some 101 female and 39 male ostriches for production.
According to the farm manager, Oscar Kaseve, they keep two breeds of ostriches; the Maasai breed which has pink skin and the Somali breed with bluish skin.
“A female ostrich lays an egg once in every two days after which we take to the hatchery for incubation. We use artificial incubators to hatch the ostrich chicks,” he said.
Kaseve also explained that the ostriches are immune to common diseases and they can withstand different weather conditions.
“They are more active during the dry weather; this is the period during which they produce and lay a lot of eggs,” he added.
In terms of services, Kaseve explained that they sell ostrich meat which is rich in valuable vitamins and proteins at an affordable rate.
Ostrich meat is categorized as red meat.
“The main product is mean, and that is why we are rearing ostriches. We usually slaughter ostriches which are aged 9 months up to 1 and a half years. That’s the age in which the mean is more tender,” he said.
They also sell ostrich skin which boasts some unique quill patterns and striations, and other products made using the skin.
“The ostrich skin is very nice and much better than skins from other animals. It can be used to make stuff like shoes, belts and even bags,” Kaseve said.
They also trade the ostrich egg which weighs about 2-3 kgs, and a beautifully painted eggshell which can be kept as a souvenir.
“The test of an ostrich egg is almost the same as that of the chicken. The egg cannot be boiled because the shell is so hard,” Kaseve added.
The feathers are also a thing, and they can be used to make among other things mats, dusters and traditional hats.
Farm activities at Maasai Ostrich Farm include a farm tour where visitors walk around to see the ostriches and have a closer interaction with them.
Visitors can also enjoy an ostrich ride under the guidance of well-trained instructors.
