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Ostriches live on Ryder Road
The ostrich is a "swift-footed, flightless ratite (flat breastbone) bird, of the genus Struthio, having a downy neck and head, body covered with soft feathers, two-toed feet, and valuable wing and tail plumes. They are found in Africa and Arabia." A reference book says the birds can reach a weight of 300 pounds. Gene and Fran Shippers have a busy operation at 2799 Ryder Road, in the Town of Arcadia where they are breeding and raising ostriches. They have been raising ostriches for about three years. They have special outbuildings where the incubators are humming away, around the clock. A male and several hens are penned in together, for the purpose of breeding and laying eggs. The normal laying season is May to September, but noise pollution and weather changes can interrupt the breeding. Fran said the warm spell last January started some of the hens laying early. After the eggs are laid (the rooster digs a hole for the nest), Fran snatches them while the rooster is not looking! She places the eggs in incubators and tends them. Sometimes she has to help the chick exit the large and thick-shelled egg. She uses the heavy end of a butter knife, or a small hammer to crack the shell. Their farm is called Ship-Tech Farm and the couple belongs to a national organization of ostrich breeders. The Kiwanis Club of Newark met there last Thursday for a picnic and tour, and an informal lecture by Gene. The meat on the grill, of course, was ostrich - burgers, hots and sausage. The meet is dark, and its fat content is only about three percent. The birds are butchered and prepared for market by neighbors Henry and Darla Kuperus of Minsteed Road, whose farm adjoins Ship-Tech. The Kuperuses recenyly bought the Smith Packing Co. in Marion. Copyright © 1998 |
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What do you know about ostriches? One's life span could
be 70 years, and the bird on its way to market might weigh 250 pounds.