Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-08
Where the Huge Bird Flourishes in
This Country.
Is A PROFITABLE ENTERPRISE
Some of Their Curious Habits
Noted.
IN PL U G K N G tt M E
Copyright. 1901. by Laura B. Starry

Copyright 1901, by Laura B. Starr)
Written for The Evening Star by Laura B. Starr
Nothing but failure was predicted for the
project of ostrich farming in this country
when the first lot of these giant birds was
imported from South Africa in 1885. For a
time the fate of the scheme hung IN the
balance. Change of climate and environ
ment seemed to have an unfavorable eff
feet upon the ostriches Then they began
to adapt themselves to the new conditions,
and now they are raising large and profit
able families, with the fostering aid of the
incubator, in Florida, Colorado. Texas, Ari-
IONA and other southern states and the
home raised plume, not to be distinguished
from the native African article, Is the
basis of a fast growing industry.
The largest ostrich farms in the United
States are in Jacksonville, Fla, and South
Pasadena, Cal, the former numbering CSC
head and the latter about 600. AT first the
eggs were left to the care of the hen os-
triCh. but II was soon found that IN the
land of the free she evinced a more indie
pendent disposition than in her African
home, and didn't take that mOtherly In
terest in the nest which was expected OF
her, so the incubator was called into &C
ton and the hen-bird relegated to the
supply department. In this line she was
an unexpected and brilliant success. The
wild ostrich lays ten or a dozen eggs and
then begins to set, but the domeStfcated
article falls victim to the articles of her
owner. With Yankee ingenuity the south
ern ostrich farmers took to removing the
eggs from the nest as soon as they We're
laid whereupon the ostrich would lay
more; and at least two cases are on record
where the bird, in a patient effort to keep
the supply up to the demand has laid nifty
eggs before getting discouraged.
The Hens Care Begins.
AS soon as the chicks appear they are
given over to the care of the hen, who
makes just as great fuss over them as II
she had done the Matching and cracked the
shell at the signal from the little beak
within by the pressure of her own breast
bone in conformance with the ancient os-
trich habit. For the first eighteen months
the youngsters are gray, spindly, fast
growing creatures. Then they begin to
change color and 1t is at this period that
they call for the most watChful care, as the
mortality among them is very great. II
they win safety through the first two years
of life they gu on to reach thirty, forty or
even. II is said a hundred years. Inc first
plGckinS Of the feathers Is made before the
bird is two years old, and the operation Is
repeated every nine months Though 1t is
unattended with pain, the oStricheS resent
II ferCely, and It is a somewhat dangerous
operation. for full-grOwn ostrich eight or
nine feet tall and weighing 800 4 u
POUNDS Is tremendously powerful, ana can
with a single stroke of the great single
clawed foot strike a man dead
When the plucking tine comes the birds
are driven into corral, thence one by one
they are introduced into a small triangular
irclosure. where there is no room for a
furry. A long. narrow bag with holes for
breathing is drawn over the head. one man
holding the bird while the operator plucks
all the ripe feathers. taking care always to
keep well behind the feet, for the ostrich
can kick only forward. Only the ripe feath-
ers-such as are almost ready to be moulte ed
and come out painleSSly-are pulled. The
heavy wing plumes are then cut off with
sharp scissors. the remaining stumps OF
quilts being left until they are ripe before
extracting. This work must be performed
with great care. for where quill socket
Is pulled out no feather ever-grows again.
They Like Fine Feathers.
The finest feathers are the forty or more
white ones which come off the wings. The