Yes ostriches do eat glass shards. In fact they will eat just about anything they can get their beaks on including rocks metal and other bits of debris. While this may not seem like a big deal it can actually be quite dangerous for ostriches. Glass shards can get lodged in their throats or intestines causing them to choke or starve to death.
There are a few documented cases of ostriches swallowing glass. In one case an ostrich in a zoo in Germany died after swallowing a large piece of glass. The glass had ripped open its intestines causing the ostrich to bleed to death. In another case an ostrich in a zoo in the United States died after swallowing more than 50 small pieces of glass. The glass had punctured the ostrich’s intestines causing it to bleed to death.
While it is not known exactly why ostriches eat glass it is thought that they may mistake it for food. Ostriches are known to eat rocks and other inedible objects so it is not unreasonable to think that they could mistake glass for something edible. It is also possible that ostriches eat glass because they are curious or because they are desperate for food. Whatever the reason ostriches should not be eating glass shards.
Can ostriches digest glass shards?
No their gizzards can’t grind the glass into a fine enough powder.
What happens if an ostrich swallows a glass shard?
The glass will tear up their insides and they will die a slow and painful death.
Do ostriches eat glass shards on purpose?
No they don’t.
They often mistake them for rocks or other food items.
Are ostriches the only birds that eat glass shards?
No other birds have been known to eat them as well.
How do glass shards get into ostrich pens?
Ostriches often live near human settlements and glass shards can blow into their pens from the wind or be brought in by other animals.
What is the biggest problem with ostriches eating glass shards?
The biggest problem is that they can die from it.
How many ostriches have died from eating glass shards?
There is no way to know for sure but it is thought that a fair number have died from it.
What is being done to prevent ostriches from eating glass shards?
Some ostrich farmers have started feeding their ostriches a diet of pellets that contain no glass shards.
Will this diet prevent ostriches from eating glass shards altogether?
No but it will reduce the number of glass shards they are exposed to and the likelihood of them swallowing one.
What happens to the glass shards that ostriches eat?
They remain in the ostrich’s gizzard and can eventually tear through the lining causing fatal internal bleeding.
What is the best way to prevent ostriches from eating glass shards?
The best way to prevent it is to remove all glass shards from their environment.
Is there a treatment for ostriches that have swallowed glass shards?
No there is no treatment.
Once they have swallowed the glass it is only a matter of time before they die.
Are there any other dangers associated with ostriches eating glass shards?
Yes glass shards can also cause obstruction in the ostrich’s intestines which can lead to death.
What should you do if you find an ostrich that has swallowed glass shards?
The best thing to do is to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or veterinarian as soon as possible.
Is there anything else that ostriches shouldn’t eat?
Ostriches should not eat anything that is not part of their natural diet.
This includes things like plastic metal and other man-made objects.
