Ep 11. Ostrich Farmer

In the Dirty Jobs season 1 episode 11, host Mike Rowe takes on the challenge of working on an ostrich farm in Chandler, Arizona. From the very beginning of the episode, Rowe is taken aback by the sheer size and strength of the ostriches on the farm. He quickly learns that these birds are not only fast and strong but also capable of being unpredictable and dangerous.

The episode starts with Rowe meeting the owner of the farm, who gives him a quick rundown of the basics of ostrich farming. Rowe learns that ostrich farming is not just about raising the birds for their meat and eggs, but also involves a lot of hard work and dedication. The first task that the host is assigned is to feed the ostriches. As he enters the paddock with buckets of feed, he sees the birds running towards him at great speeds.

Rowe is quickly given a safety lesson on how to avoid being attacked by the birds, as he feeds them from a safe distance. However, even with all the precautions, he gets a few startles from the birds as they nip at his clothing and try to grab the food from his hands.

Next, the host moves on to helping with the egg collection. He is given a special tool to pick up the eggs, which he admits looks like something out of the Flintstones cartoon. He finds it quite challenging to collect the eggs from under the massive ostriches, while dodging their sharp talons. The pressure is on as many of the eggs are destined for a gourmet restaurant in San Francisco and are worth substantial money.

The most challenging task for Rowe comes when he is asked to help separate the healthy ostriches from the sick ones. He has to use all his strength and skill to wrestle the large birds into individual pens. This is no easy feat, as he has to deal with their powerful legs and the trouble of getting the ostriches to move the way he wants.

Throughout the episode, Rowe is struck by the endurance and strength of the ostriches, as they run for long periods of time and can go for days without water. He also learns that ostriches exhibit unique characteristics, such as their reliance on being part of groups and their interesting mating habits.

The host is also introduced to ostrich by-products, such as ostrich leather, which he sees being used in handbags and boots. He even gets the chance to ride an ostrich with comedic results. Despite the difficulty of the work, Rowe learns to appreciate the hard work that goes into ostrich farming and concludes the show by saying "there's no way I'd ever be an ostrich farmer, but I do have a new found respect for those who are."

The episode is a great example of how Dirty Jobs showcases the often-overlooked and underappreciated jobs in our society. The show takes viewers into dirty, messy, and challenging environments, highlighting the grit and determination it takes to make a living in these fields. This particular episode provides fantastic insight into ostrich farming, oozing information about these majestic creatures, from their upbringing to the way they mature, answering the questions that many of us perhaps never knew we had. Fans of Dirty Jobs will find this episode a humorous, educational and entertaining experience.