Ostrich production in the arid environment of Kuwait

Ostrich production in Kuwait is based on individual producers. Five ostrich farms exist and there is interest from other potential producers to begin ostrich production in Kuwait. The first ostrich farm started in 1994. The farmʹs area is 200,000m2 with a capacity of 400 birds, brought from South Africa. Ostrich producers in Kuwait focus on breeding and increasing the number of birds rather than selling birds for meat consumption. However, these producers do sell ostrich meat (KD 5kg-1) depending on demand.The major problem facing ostrich production in Kuwait is heat stress, which creates a great economical problem for producers. The other problem facing producers is lack of knowledge of ostrich management and nutrition.Research on ostrich management under Kuwaitʹs environmental conditions is extremely important for the development of ostrich production in Kuwait, not only to provide good quality red meat with low cholesterol, but also to provide Kuwaitis with another species of bird, which would increase Kuwaitʹs biodiversity.