Incubator

[sumi]

Thinking about raising ostriches. Maybe a couple hundred pound ostrich might be enough feed my family for Thanksgiving. I wonder how they taste and what would you bake them in? -:lol

Ostrich meat is delicious (and healthy) and very versatile. You can even make bacon with it. You can eat nearly the entire carcass too, including the tail, knees, etc. We used to make curry with the stomachs and grind up the hearts for mince meat. The skin leather is divine (and big $$$$$) and the feathers are sought after and useful. The chicks are a royal PITA (Pain In The Arse) to rear and drop dead for the stupidest reasons. Where I used to live in South Africa we were surrounded by ostrich farms and the farmers often paid people to raise the youngsters for them, so they didn't have the hassle.

And you're going to need a bloody big incubator to hatch those eggs

 

[Hinotori]

Dear husband. Or Damn husband. One or the other, I can never remember.

It depends on the day and what they've done

 

[CrealCritter]

Ostrich meat is delicious (and healthy) and very versatile. You can even make bacon with it. You can eat nearly the entire carcass too, including the tail, knees, etc. We used to make curry with the stomachs and grind up the hearts for mince meat. The skin leather is divine (and big $$$$$) and the feathers are sought after and useful. The chicks are a royal PITA (Pain In The Arse) to rear and drop dead for the stupidest reasons. Where I used to live in South Africa we were surrounded by ostrich farms and the farmers often paid people to raise the youngsters for them, so they didn't have the hassle.

And you're going to need a bloody big incubator to hatch those eggs

Ostrich meat looks more like beef than it does anything else. I wasn't joking... I'm seriously considering raising Ostriches. Any insight you can share would be most greatly appreciated.

 

[CrealCritter]

We have a Hovabator and bought an egg turner as well. Works great. Have used it for turkeys, chickens and ducks. Side note- expect not so great hatch rates, turkeys are notoriously difficult to hatch in incubators. They're difficult birds.

Would you be interested in trading fertilized turkey eggs when the hens come into lay late winter /early spring? Maybe like a dozen or so. I think I recall you saying you would like some Burbon Reds and I would like to have a go at some Chocolates

 

[NH Homesteader]

I will ask my husband. They're his birds, lol. I don't even want to know how low hatch rates would be after shipping, is the big issue!

 

[CrealCritter]

I will ask my husband. They're his birds, lol. I don't even want to know how low hatch rates would be after shipping, is the big issue!

Yeah ask "DH" lol

 

[Beekissed]

Was wondering if you could give your turkey eggs to your hens to brood and raise? Every tried that? I think Farmfresh does that with great success...she used to be a member here and visits my forum now and again. She also hatches out peacock eggs under her broodies and sells the peachicks for a goodly sum.

Here's her YT channel link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSszsnCNuz0fFUinYBLX4Yg

 

[NH Homesteader]

Probably could. I never had broody chickens until this year so haven't messed around with rearranging eggs. I imagine it would work just fine though.

My adult turkeys are afraid of the chickens. Wimps. They let the chickens eat all their food. They don't seem to know how big they are!

 

[Swede]

Yeah I'm finding that out...

Thinking about raising ostriches. Maybe a couple hundred pound ostrich might be enough feed my family for Thanksgiving. I wonder how they taste and what would you bake them in? -:lol

View attachment 4734

EW!!!
I don't even eat my own CHICKENS let alone OSTRICHES!

 

[Beekissed]

EW!!!
I don't even eat my own CHICKENS let alone OSTRICHES!

You don't eat ANY chicken or just your own?