The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-06-11
OSTRICH FARMING.


Formerly the ostrich was hunted by
men on horseback, but of late years the
demand for the feathers of these birds
has elevated the breeding and raising OF
ostriches to the position of one of the
great industries of Southern Africa. Ten
years ago gentleman named Douglass,
residing near Grahamstown, in Cape
Colony, conceived the project of what is
now known as ostrich farming. Having
experimental with few wild birds, and
found that they would lay in confine-
ment, he next set to work to devise some
method of artificial Matching. For
three years he met with but little success,
but finally he invented the patent incu-
bator, since when he has prosecuted his
scheme in manner that has made him
famous.
By means of the incubator the eleven
birds with which the experiment was first
tried have been increased to 900, and
these being scattered throughout the dis
..r;eet have made ostrich farming nearly
as popular among the residents of Cape
Colony as diamond-m:ning or sheep-rais-
ing. The farm of Mr.. Douglass is situa-
ted short distance from Grahamstown,
and occupies about ! 200 acres of rough
ground, formerly devoted to wool grow
ing The country around was, until
within short period, used as sheep
walks, but certain deterioration in the
grasses rendered it Improbable for such
purposes. The quality is yet, however,
sufficiently good to satisfy.the ostrich
much less fastidious creature than a
sheep.
There are at present on the farm about
300 birds, which are allowed to run in
large Enclosures. One of these is 5000
acres in size, and has within it a troop
OF 240 birds. Once week they are all
hunted up by men on horseback, armed
with large boughs OF thorn to keep the
the birds off, rs many are very savage,
and their kick is dangerous. One man
gees in front, with pack-horse loaded
with Indian corn, 70 lead them. The
farm itself is divided into paddocks,
and, with those which are breeding, one
cock with two hens occupies each pad
dock. The young birds-for they do not
breed till they are three years old-or
those which are not paired, run in hocks
of thirty OR forty each. They are
subject to diseases which, Of course, re-
quire attention, and are apt to damage
themselves, sometimes breaking their
own bones and getting themselves caught
in the wire fences. Otherwise they are
hardy creatures, which can stand much
heat and cold, can do for long periods
without water, require no delicate feed.
ing, and give, at existing prices, ample
returns for the care bestowed on them.
The first necessity in artificial ostrich
Matching is to procure the eggs. For
this purpose the farmer provides himself
with an assortment of dummy eggs, con-
sisting of egg shells blown and filled with
sand. By means Of these he is usually
successful in aiiuring the hens to lay.
The birds are so large and the land so
open that there is little difficulty in
watching their maneuvers and obtaining
the eggs as soon as they are in existence.
AS each egg is worth from $40 to $25,
there will in course Of time be naturally
much temptation to theft. AS yet, how
ever, there is no market for the reception
OF the stolen goods, and to steal an
ostrich egg with no means for Matching
it would be useless piece of dishonesty.
The incubator is rather iii awkward
piece of pine furniture, some eight or
nine feet long, and standing on four legs.
The eggs are first covered with some ar
rangement of flannel, and are then laid
in the drawers, the latter being connect
ed with screwing apparatus, by means
of which they are raised or lowered to
the extent of two or three inches.
Above the drawers, and extending over
the whole of the upper part of the
machine, is tank filled with hot water.
Each drawer, which contains about fif-
teen eggs, when filled and closed, is
screwed up so as to bring the sides of the
egg in contact with the tank. In this
way the necessary warmth is applied.
Below the the machine and in the center
of it lamps are placed, which keep the
temperature of the water up to the ri ght
degree. The incubating room is large
building so constructed as not to be af-
fected by change of weather. Here
several incubators are at work. The
work of Matching the eggs is most COM
p4icated, and requires not only care but
a capacity for tracing results, which is
by no means a common gift. The ostrich
turns her egg frequently, so that each
side OF it may receive due attention.
The ostrich farmer must therefore turn
his eggs. This he does about three times
a day. A certain amount Of moisture is
required, as in nature moisture exudes
from the sitting bird. The heat must be
moderated according to circumstances,
or the yolk becomes glue and the young
bird becomes choked. Again, when the
moment arrives at which the young
ostrich is ready to emerge from it's she'll,
it is frequently necessary to assist in this
difficult performance. After they are
introduced into the world the young
ostriches require the most tender care.
Deprived of the attentions of their natu-
raj guardian, it becomes necessary to re-
place her by substitute, who is usually
chosen from among the coolies connected
with the farm. To each lot of about
thirty birds man is told off, who from
sunrise to sunset goes about in the lucern
fields with them, or breaking bones for
them, and finding them gravel and
water. They became immensely attach
ed to their narse, and, as general thing,
he is devoted to them; for each bird
when Matched is supposed to be worth
not less than $50. When full grown the
value of an ostrich is from $500 to $500.
The birds are plucked before they are a
year ole, but the age at which they cease
to yield their periodical harvest Of grace
full piumes has not apparently been yet
determined. There are ostriches on Mr..
Douglass farm which have been robbed