OstrichLand USA

OstrichLand USA and its collection

OstrichLand USA is a zoo in Solvang, United States.

More than 100 ostriches and emus are kept and can be fed by the public, with the owner Trudy Brown putting the figures at around 80 ostriches and 20 emus. The location was chosen because the landscape resembles African and Australian habitat. Visitors are told to grip the bowl of alfalfa pellets firmly, keep their fingers clear and not touch the birds.

History

A South African couple set the operation up in the early 1990s, having imported birds in the late 1980s. Trudy Brown bought it in 2000 and employs six staff, her own background being in retail rather than farming.

Animals and collection

The ostriches are farmed for their eggs only and never for meat. The birds were taught to take food from bowls, two hen ostriches were hand-reared in the shop, and feeding is curtailed on busy days so that they do not overeat.

What the venue says

• expansive open-air ranch
• Ostrichland USA is primarily an animal viewing and feeding ranch rather than a dining destination, so it does not feature an on-site restaurant or sit-down food service.
• Though we typically have adequate parking, on certain busy days (e.g. Holidays, Spring Break, 3-day weekends), parking can be limited.
• Here at OstrichLand USA, we do our very best to accommodate wheelchair accessibility and all other customers with special needs. All customers have access to view and feed the birds, as well as usage of our ADA portable restrooms.