To calm an ostrich, put a sock on it. If they can kick, bite and peck, one might wonder how cranky ostriches are restrained, e.g., for medical care. An opaque, soft stocking is slipped over the eyes and ears and down the neck to obstruct the ostrich's sight and hearing. Handlers know that they seldom kick backward, so it's safer to approach from behind. Tales of its bizarre eating habits are not greatly exaggerated.
Chicks are especially prone to swallow whatever they see, whch can lead to impaction or injury.
Ranch birds are usually fed pelleted ration, supplemented by grass, alfalfa hay, etc. It can outrun a cheetah. Nevertheless, they're relatively easy to capture by men on horseback, because ostrich tend to run in circles and eventually tire when pursurers chase them in relays. Ostrich races were popular in the early years of the century. Racetrack picture show jockeys mounted on their festhered steeds, or racing them hitched to sulkies or buggies.