Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-11-05
OSTRICH FARMING.

California, on what is known as the old
Temble street road, Or. c. j. Sketch
ley mas started an ostrich farm. He
was one of the pioneers in ostrich farm
ing in Africa, where he engaged in the
business for many years, and is the
author OF a number Of books on the os-
trich, and the best methods OF ostrich
farming. A visit to Los Angeles con-
vinced the Doctor that ostrich farming
could be successfully carried on there,
and he resolved TO make the expert
ment. The result is the Sketchley os-
trieh farm.
On the sixty acres OF land devoted to
the ostriches there are thirty pairs OF
these beautiful birds. besides number
of young ones recently hslched.
Their food consists almost wholly OF
corn and alfalfa, which 10 q beautiful
plant of lhe Luzerne family. Long ex-
perience has shown this bill of fare will
cause the ostrich to produce more feath-
ers and of better quality than any
other diet. Eaeh male is mated. and
the two birds have two acres Of ground.
The land is fenced off into lots OF one
acre each. The two birds are kept in
one Of these lots until they have eaten
Of all the alfalfa, when they are trans
ferred to the other, being thus alter
mated between the two. From the OBJ
servatory tower in the centre OF the
Doctors residence the ostrich grounds
look like an immense chess board aud
the gigantic birds like the big pieces
scattered over il.
"All the full-grown ostriches, you
see" said the Doctor, 81 imported di-
rectly from Africa, landing them In
this country at Galveston and bringing
with them four Madrasese men and one
woman, the people OF that tribe being
moro familiar with the ostrich than
any native Africans. Thus far my ex.
pertinent has succeeded beyond my ex-
pectations. Not only are the ostriches
quite as healthy rs in Africa, but they
are actually more prolific here than In
their native country, both In the num-
Der Of eggs they lay and the number OF
young ones they hatch, aud also In the
quantity of feathers they produce-ie.
suits due, believe, TO this glorious
climate, which seems greatly to increase
the fertility OF all animals. The feath-
ers are fully equal in all respects to any
grown in Africa.
"The height of the birds is from s to
II feet. Their weight varies from 300
to 400 pounds. The male is much larger,
and is black, while the female is gray.
Where, then, you will ask, do white
ostrich feathers come from? They are
found on both the male and female
bird among the loose feathers of the
wings and tail. 1t is the fact that they
are so much rarer that makes them so
much more desired, aud, consequently,
So much higher in price than black or
gray feathers, for in some respects !
consider them inferior to the other
feathers.
"The female ostrich does not begin TO
lay eggs until it is years old, but 1t
produces its first crop Of feathers at the
end Of its first year. Every seven
months thereafter its plumage Is ready
for market, yielding about 20 OF the
very finest feathers, besides n large
number of less valuable ones. The
feathers are not plucked but are cut of,
quite close to the skin, with large
shears mads for the purpose. No pain
whatever is inflicted in the operation.
Within few days after the feathers
have been cut the stubs dry and shriyel
to such an extent that they are easily
removed. The longest and finest white
feathers are worth at Wholesale 81 4
piece, and good feathers aro worth 5000
q pound. The first clipping of young
birds will average $40 Ia value. or
course it requires a good deal OF capital
to start large ostrich farm, as full
grown pair of birds is worth from 800
to $500, and single young bird six
months old costs from $50 to 5000; bu.
after 1t is once under way the return
from the investment Is large one.
eve very seldom permit the os-
triches to do their own Matching, but
most Of it is performed by incubstors.
The old idea that ostriches seldom or
never require water has long since been
proven false, They drink frequently,
and even bathe. We keep water
trough In each pen TO enable them to do
so. No one knows to what age an os-
trich may attain, but believe they are
little short Of immortal. In Africa |
have seen pair OF birds that were
known to be over so years Of age
reminded the Doctor of promise he
had made me to show me foot race be-
tween ostriches. We Immediately went
to broad, open space, between the os-
trieh pens and the house. One Of the
keepers opened the door Of one Of the
pens, and in response to the Doctors
call, two superb ostriches came running
to him. After caressing the gentle
creatures for a few moments be showed
them handful Of figs, Of which they
are extremely fond. Two Of his men
then restrained the birds by placing
nooses about their legs, until he and
myself had walked away about quar-
ter Of a mile. Then, at signal from
the Doctor, the birds were released, and
the race began. It was a rare sight.
Ornithologists tell US that the stride
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