A weekend with the Ostriches

By Crystal Okusa

The thought of spending a weekend at an exclusive ostrich farm was intriguing. Just thinking of birds as strong as mammals and taller than an average human being raised my curiosity.

We arrived at the Masaai Ostrich Farm and Resort in Kitengela late in the evening to be welcomed by high-pitched sounds of chirping birds in trees all the way from the gate to the back yard. By nightfall, the chirping sounds subsided only for them to wake us up early the following day.

A visitor at the Farm rides one of the ostriches. Photos: Pius Cheruiyot/Standard

Sitting on the large field that passes for both a camping site and a playground for children, we took in the cool breeze from the surrounding trees. We sipped our drinks as the general manager took us through the history of the only ostrich farm in East and Central Africa.

Currently, with a total of 700 ostriches being reared in the area, a good number of items produced or used in this resort are made from ostrich feathers or skin. Ostrich meat, which is said to have the lowest cholesterol level amongst other red meat and to also cure respiratory illnesses, is a delicacy at the resort along with its oil.

There are two types of ostriches in the farm — the blue neck ostrich, a breed mostly found in the North Eastern Tsavo and the Amboselli; and the Masaai ostrich, which is found locally. The difference between the two is that the blue neck ostrich has a darker, smoother skin with tender feathers, while the Masaai ostrich has a pink skin with tough feathers. Both birds, though, have tougher skin than a cow.

The mating season begins on the first of June where one male ostrich is closeted with five female ostriches in one dock for the purpose of mating. If you want to know whether a female ostrich is ready for mating, the secret is in the feathers — they hang low on the side as they walk.

Everything in this farm is planned according to seasons. The slaughtering of the animals is no exception. At eight months, their skin is soft enough for slaughtering and human consumption. A specific torch is used to check the fertility of an egg. If it is unfertilised, then it is used. One egg, which is often big enough to serve a whole family of more than five, is said to help increase intimacy between couples.

The egg takes 42 days to hatch — twice the time the chicken takes to hatch — producing a chick as heavy as 0.5 kg-1.3 kg.

Nightfall was approaching and we went in to the resort for the evening meal. The menu was encased in soft brown leather produced from ostrich skin. A sideboard in the humongous dining room was filled with coloured ostrich eggshells. To make them, a sharp object is used to pierce through the egg so all its contents can pour out. Water is then poured through the same hole to clean it completely then put out in the sun to dry so it does not rot.

For those who cannot take ostrich meat, there is plenty of the usual meals found in hotels in the menu. I was looking forward to enjoying the new delicacy so I ordered ostrich meat. It turned out to be greater than I had imagined. The meat was sliced in small flat square-like shapes. It looked just like any other read meat. By the time we were done, all we wanted to do was eat more ostrich meat.

A family of ostriches. One ostrich egg is big enough to serve a whole family of more than five and it is said to help increase intimacy between couples. One of the tents at the Resort.

Traditional Setting

Later that night, we were escorted to two of the ten luxurious tents situated at the far end of the compound. That is where we retired for the night. Inside the single tents, the setting was traditional. A huge hardwood bed sat on one far end of the room covered with sheets that resemble the strips of a zebra. A kerosene lamb used as a bulb holder sat on a stool near the door leading to the bathroom.

The ten luxurious tents include a family tent huge enough to hold three beds (one of which is a child’s bed) and still have space to walk around. Double rooms are also available. For those who find more comfort in concrete walls, there are five rooms in the main hotel. The resort also serves day guests who want to have conference meetings or team building exercises at the tennis court or the volleyball pitch.

In the middle of the night, I was awoken by a roaring sound. Afraid there were lions in the vicinity, I was surprised to discover it was only an ostrich. Apparently, they roar like lions.

We woke up to a breezy but warm morning and to the chirping of birds from the big tree plantation. Afterwards I treated myself to a three-course sumptuous breakfast of ostrich burger and egg.

When an egg hatches, the shell is recycled into buttons for clothes, their feathers for making traditional headgears and even camera and laptop dusters. Their thick thigh skin is used to make belts and book covers

As the day wore on, groups of day guests streamed in. Clearly, the farm is popular among families. Most got comfortable on the seats set under trees due to the hot sun. The day’s special was roasted ostrich meat prepared by the chef under a wooden canopy.

Ostrich Ride

Later, two ostriches were brought from their docks to an open field for people to ride on them. Being very strong birds, one ostrich has to be held by two attendants before anyone can mount them. The attendants then control the bird during the ride.

The experience is more frightening than it is enjoyable. Sometimes the ostrich moves so fast making even a confident man terrified in case it throws him off and starts kicking. Ostriches have the reputation of strong heavy kicks that can kill a human being. People have died after falling victim to their infamous kicks.

After one quick round, I decided it was enough. Some people confessed they prefer watching the rides than actually being on one.

The mortality rate of ostriches is heightened by the fact they tend to eat anything, including picking on each other’s feathers. When they eat indigestive materials, their stomachs hurt and start rotting, which prevents them from eating again. Eventually, they die. I guess that is why they are referred to as daft, what with the proverb; ‘don’t sink your head in the sand like an ostrich’.

The experience at the Ostrich Farm was more than a learning experience. Late that evening, we packed our bags and headed for the city, not forgetting to carry the medicinal ostrich products for future use.