Misty Morning Ranch

04/12/2026

The ostriches are always teaching us something, especially the alpha.

When we choose to ignore the body cues of an alpha ostrich, he will remind us who’s in charge of his space. These birds rely heavily on body language to communicate, and that wing movement isn’t just for show—it’s a clear signal that he’s alert and setting a boundary.

The other day, I saw those wings shift and knew I should slow down… but I didn’t. That was my mistake. It didn’t take long before he gave me a stronger “reminder”—a quick move towards me to reinforce that I had pushed too far.

Thankfully, I listened the second time.

Once I respected his cues and gave him the space he was asking for, everything changed. He settled, and just like that, he allowed me to safely drive out of the pen.

It’s a good reminder that working with animals isn’t about control—it’s about respect and awareness. These birds are powerful, intelligent, and always communicating… we just have to be willing to listen.

04/05/2026

Warm days on the farm mean it’s time to help our big feathered friends stay comfortable! One of the ways we lend a hand is by giving our ostriches a light spray with the water hose. They might act a little unsure at first, but once that cool mist hits, you can tell they appreciate it!

Ostriches are actually well adapted to handle heat. Being native to hot, dry regions, they can tolerate temperatures well into the 90s°F and even over 100°F. Instead of sweating like we do, they rely on a few natural cooling methods. They’ll often hold their wings away from their bodies to release heat, and you may see them panting to help regulate their body temperature. They also seek shade and reduce activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Even though they’re built for the heat, high humidity can make things much tougher on them—just like it does for us here. That’s when a little help from the hose goes a long way in keeping them comfortable and stress-free.

It’s all part of daily farm life—keeping a close eye on our animals and making sure they stay healthy and happy, no matter what the weather brings!

04/04/2026

One of the most fascinating things to watch is ostrich communal nesting.

Unlike most birds, ostriches don’t always stick to the “one nest per mom” approach. Instead, several females will lay their eggs in a single shared nest, usually cared for by a dominant hen. She takes the lead, arranging the eggs and making sure they stay in the nest.

In the wild, the females take turns incubating, blending in during the day. At night, the male steps in—his darker feathers helping him stay hidden while protecting the nest.

At our farm, though, we take a different approach. Because of NC humidity levels, we don’t allow the hens to sit on the eggs—too much moisture can impact development. We also collect eggs daily to keep the hens laying consistently. If too many eggs build up in the nest, they’ll often stop producing.

It’s a true balance between working with nature and knowing when to step in. Around here, that means gathering eggs each day and giving those chicks the best chance we can.

04/03/2026

If you’re in the area, be sure to visit the Holly Springs Farmers Market and connect with Scott and Jen!

They’re incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to ostrich—especially ostrich meat—and always have great recipes and tips to share. If you’ve been curious about trying ostrich or want ideas on how to prepare it, they’re a great resource.

Some people prefer that in-person connection, and there’s nothing like being able to ask questions, swap ideas, and learn face-to-face.

Stop by, say hello, and support your local farmers—you might just discover your next favorite meal!

Holly Springs Farmers Market is held every Saturday 8am-12pm

04/02/2026

There’s something special about evenings like this on the farm.

As we made our rounds collecting eggs last night, the full moon lit up the pastures in a way that almost felt like daylight—calm, quiet, and just plain beautiful. The animals settled in, the air cooled off, and for a moment, everything slowed down.

It’s easy to get caught up in the busy parts of farm life, but nights like this are a reminder of why we love what we do. Simple moments, hard work, and a view you just can’t beat.

Farm life under a full moon never gets old.

04/02/2026

We are incredibly grateful and excited to share that our farm has been selected as a recipient of the Duke Energy Foundation Small Business Impact Grant!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Moore County Economic Development Partnership and the Duke Energy Foundation Small Business Impact Grant Selection Committee for believing in our vision and supporting small farms like ours. Opportunities like this make a real difference and allow us to continue growing, improving, and serving our community.

Your support helps us invest back into our farm, our animals, and the experiences we provide to families who visit us. We truly appreciate the encouragement and commitment to local agriculture.

Thank you for being a part of our journey

Six small businesses in Moore County were named today as recipients of the Duke Energy Foundation Small Business Impact Grant program from the Moore County Economic Development Partnership. Selected from

03/31/2026

Alright folks, time to share the answer from our last post… that ostrich egg weighed in at 4 lbs!

To put that into perspective, that’s about the size of 20–24 chicken eggs in one shell—never gets old seeing just how impressive these birds are.

What’s even more interesting is the range we see right here on the farm. The smallest egg we’ve collected has been close to 2 lbs, and so far this year, 4 lbs is our heaviest!

Every egg is a little different, and that’s part of what makes raising ostrich so fascinating. Appreciate everyone who joined in and took a guess—y’all made it fun!

03/29/2026

Ever seen an egg this big and wondered just how much it weighs?

We’ve got a fun challenge for y’all—take your best guess at the weight of one of our ostrich eggs in pounds (lbs)! Drop your guess in the comments.

Here’s a little to help you out:
Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs laid by any living bird, but surprisingly, they’re only about 1–2% of the female’s body weight. On average, one egg is equal to about 24 chicken eggs! That’s a whole lot of breakfast in one shell.

They also have incredibly thick shells—so strong it takes a good amount of force (or the right tools) to crack one open.

So… what’s your guess? How much do you think this egg weighs in lbs? 🧐

03/26/2026

Out here on the farm, every day brings something new—and sometimes that means getting a little creative!

Right now, a few of our male ostriches are feeling extra protective and territorial, which means walking/driving straight into their pen at feeding time isn’t always the best (or safest!) idea. During breeding season especially, male ostriches can become more aggressive as they guard their space and their hens.

So we adapt. From feeding over fences to using alternative entry points and distractions, we make sure everyone gets fed while keeping both our animals and ourselves safe. It’s all part of working with nature instead of against it.

Fun fact: A male ostrich can deliver a powerful forward kick strong enough to defend against predators like lions—and trust us, we respect that strength every single day!

Farming isn’t always straightforward, but it sure keeps us on our toes—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.