Purchasing Options at Gross Ostrich Farm

The potential buyer should decide at which point in the production cycle they are entering
the industry and where they wish to be in the future. Birds grow very rapidly, and it is
important to be prepared with adequate housing for all types of weather conditions.
Birds can be purchased at any stage of development from the Gross Ostrich Farm
and these decisions should be based on a buyer's financial status
and experience with livestock.

Option 1:
Purchasing fertile eggs: This is probably the least expensive way to acquire livestock,
but has a high risk factor and requires extensive cash outlay for incubation equipment,
and should be left to the experienced producer.

Option 2:
Young chicks: Chicks can be purchased as one-day-olds for a reasonably price.
This is again a less expensive way to enter the industry, but mortality rates are higher at this stage.
Experienced producers are better prepared to handle some of the problems encountered with
rearing young stock.

Option 3:
Three to Six month old chicks: Prices fluctuate more at this age, but it is easier for even an
inexperienced buyer to distinguish between lower and higher quality birds. This age range
is perhaps the most popular purchasing age as the birds have begun to develop immunities
and are more weather tolerant. Birds at this age are relatively easy to handle and give the
newcomer a "getting used to period" before the birds achieve mature size.

Option 4:
Juvenile birds, or six months to one year old: This age range of birds are extremely hardy
and are easily judged for health and quality. At six months of age birds can be insured,
offering some protection to the newcomer. Birds at this age require little care other than
normal feeding and observation time.

Option 5:
One to two years: These birds, although more expensive, offer the buyer the potential to go
into production in the next year. They are extremely hardy and will demonstrate characteristics
of a mature breeding bird. They require little attention and are close to full adult height.

Option 6:
Breeder birds - two years and up: Prices are much higher, but records of laying production
should be available. Remember when purchasing breeders that you will be raising offspring,
and incubation equipment and chick facilities should also be in place. Your breeding stock
will be potential producers for up to 20 years, and should produce good returns on your
original investment.

The important thing to remember when purchasing any age of birds is to have a plan,
and use realistic pricing for your expected returns. In calculating your returns, it is advisable
to use a reasonable rate of survival for offspring, and base the selling price of offspring on
commercial values rather then on a high Price.

To further insure that you are purchasing healthy birds, our birds are veterinary inspected
before there leave the Gross Ostrich Farm.

To get more details about this service please

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