A ranch adventure at Picacho Peak
Pichacho Peak was purportedly the location of the final battle of America’s Civil War. Not much relevance to ostrich farming, but it is indeed a historical location, not to mention a very cool shape under the blazing sun or clear moonlight. Actually originally the name of a John Wayne movie, “Rooster Cogburn” is the name the owner has taken in novelty, and has made quite the name for himself in this slice of Arizona. The farm is home to many animals, arranged in various pens like a sort of petting zoo amusement park. It’s fun for the whole family, but naturally, the most impressive aspect of the farm is the swarms of ostriches both near the petting zoo, and trotting about the massive range the ranch is located on.
After feeding the ostriches and interacting with rabbits, parakeets, sheep, and more, most try and get a reservation on the “monster truck tour” through the outback of the ranch. This is a massive areas where many of the ostriches make their nests, and spend the day trotting around. LIstening to the energetic driver explain to us all about ostrich life, and chucking pellets of food from the side of the truck to hungry birds was an unforgettable, albeit quirky experience. Did you know that ostriches don’t actually bury their heads in the sand? Rather it only looks like that from afar because they lean their long necks down to rearrange their nests, and they might be doing this for some time.
So why ostrich farming? A big reason that surprised me is not for their meat or eggs (this is also a product of course) but their feathers! The ostrich feathers and quills have many applications from brushes to brooms. And uhhhh, more I think!
