The Business of Ostrich Feathers

feather centerpieces

Nearly 200 years ago, ostrich farming was started in the Cape Province, South Africa with a view to commercializing ostrich feathers. The ostriches in the wild were being hunted to extinction for their unique feathers, which were the fashion statement of the day. In order to be able to harvest the feathers easier, and without having to kill the birds, ostriches were rounded up and kept in pens, and thus began the wonderful tradition of ostrich farming.

As far back as the ancient Egyptian and Roman times, we see evidence of ostrich feathers being used in formal dress. In the days were embellishments to dresses were forced to be from nature, as synthetic goods were not yet in ready circulation, feathers were seen as a beautiful and lasting way of enhancing a dress. Flowers wilt, but feathers can last for many years with proper care. Ostrich feathers were very popular because of the sheer volume of each feather, and the strikingly dramatic black and white feathers.

All fashion seasons do come to an end. And unfortunately the ostrich feather trade dwindles to almost nothing at the start of the First World War. Not only was transportation of luxury items a problem, but fashions themselves were changing. Because of the shortage of material due to the war effort, dresses became shorter and simpler in design, using less extravagance. Another deciding influence in the changing of fashions was the advent of the motor car. Overly extravagant dresses did not fit into the restricted space of the early motor vehicles.

Although the ostrich farming industry has now shifted away from feathers as a primary revenue source, and although ostrich feathers are no longer selling at the exorbitant prices of yesteryear, there is still a viable market for feathers in the fashion industry as well as the utilities industry. Ostrich feathers are used by fashion designers, by florists, interior decorators and those in the crafts industries. There is also a large market for feather dusters. The options are endless. Ostrich feathers are not only versatile and striking as they are, they also readily accept dyes to make even more stunning designs.

Ostrich feathers are ready for an initial plucking at 7 to 8 months old. Then the mature crops of feathers are ready at 14 months. Maturity of feathers varies from one bird to another, with nutrition, health, general management and genetics being as important a factor as age. Two ostriches living side by side, following exactly the same management and diet can have variable feather growth. It is however important to follow good management from hatch stage, because the health of a chick now can greatly impact the development of his mature feathers a year down the line.

The feathers are classified as to length, sex of the bird, where the feather comes from, what it looks like and also whether it has been processed (e.g. dyed). The main classifications are:

    Drabs - Body Feathers (natural or dyed, in different standard lengths) - From adult females or chicks
    Blacks - Male body feathers sold as drabs
    Male Wings - White wing feathers from mature males
    Feminas - White Wing Feathers of the Female
    Tail Feathers - Tail feathers of adults and slaughter birds
    Spadonas or Spads - Chick wing feathers.
    Floss - Soft body feathers
    Blondenes - Light coloured body feathers
    Bycocks - Transition feathers from body to wing
    Slopes - Poorly shaped feathers
    Ruggies - 5th and 6th quality feathers

Usually ostrich feathers are sold by the kilogram. Sometimes however the feathers are sold singly for non-industrial or low volume consumers.

Although the cleaning and handling of ostrich feathers is labor intensive, it is well worth every ostrich farming venture's effort to develop this market, if they are slaughtering in larger volumes and able to market on a commercial-scale.