How to Handle Ostriches Safely

Ostriches are curious birds and are not afraid to approach a person. However, male birds can be territorial and could attack, while females are less likely to do so. An ostrich can do a lot of damage if agitated. An adult male ostrich stands between six to nine feet, while a female stands five and a half to six and a half feet and can weigh up to 330 pounds. You must be very careful in approaching ostriches and care must be shown to transport them safely. A mature bird can deliver a kick of up to 500 pounds per square inch and has very powerful wings and sharp toenails that can seriously hurt you if they are frightened. A single kick from an ostrich has been known to kill a lion in the wild. Tame birds are less likely to do as much damage however, steps must be taken to handle these birds safely.

Things You'll Need

  • One to four handlers depending upon the aggressiveness and size of the bird
  • Plywood with holes for arms
  • Rakes or brooms
  • Protective clothing
  • Hood, either a commercial hood made for hooding ostriches, a toeless sock or sweatshirt sleeve
  • Shepherd's crook if desired
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Handling a mature ostrich requires at least three to four experienced people. For smaller birds, you can manage with two handlers. For quiet, passive birds, one handler could push from behind with a rope around its chest once the bird is hooded.

    • 2

      Use items to protect the handlers. A sheet of plywood with holes for the arms can be placed in front of the torso. A kick to this board can still hurt you, so you need to be careful. Use a broom, a grass rake or a bicycle handlebar that has been attached to a rake or broom handle to keep ostriches at a distance. Wear protective clothing such as sturdy boots and chaps.

    • 3

      Use a hood to place over the ostrich's head by catching their beak. You can buy special hoods, a sock with the toe cut out or a sweatshirt sleeve. Roll the hood in donut fashion over your dominant hand. If the ostrich is not aggressive, their inquisitive nature will help to capture them. When they approach to peck on the material, grab their closed beak with the hand that has the hood on it and quickly unroll it with your free hand. It must go over the head and down the neck, covering the eyes but not the nostrils. The other handlers will help support the animal as you lower the head to the ground. Once the hood is on, the animal should calm down, though it could run and hurt itself by crashing into a fence or structure.

    • 4

      Use a hood to place over the ostrich's head by using a shepherd's crook, which is a long extendable lightweight pole with a hook on the end. This tool can seriously hurt a bird if you don't know how to use it correctly. Hook the bird at the neck with the crook as it runs by you. Grasp the neck just below the head with the hook and extend its neck outward gently until it's parallel to the ground a little lower than the level of its back. The ostrich can kick you, so you must be very careful. Another handler moves in behind the bird to steady it and the first handler then grasps the beak and slides the hood over the head, removing the crook. It must go over the head and down the neck, covering the eyes but not the nostrils. The other handlers will help support the animal as you lower the head to the ground. Once the hood is on, the animal should calm down, though it could run and hurt itself by crashing into a fence or structure.

    • 5

      Once the animal is hooded and calm, you can walk the bird wherever you need. Three handlers should be walking with the bird; one on each side of the bird, holding each wing toward the body to protect it, and one pushing from behind.