Open weekend at ostrich farm in Sluis – Advertising Zeeuwsch Vlaanderen | Zeeuwsch Flemish Advertisement Magazine

Thu May 9, 4:22 pm

General

Editorial

LOCK – During the Pentecost weekend on May 18, 19 and 20, Struisvogelboerderij Monnikenwerve on the Hogeweg in Sluis traditionally organizes an Open Weekend. During these festive days the doors are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As usual, admission and tours are free during this festive weekend.

Susanne and Floris started keeping these impressive flightless birds in 1997, but of course a lot has changed at Monnikenwerve in 27 years. The first edition of the Open Weekend during the Pentecost days of 1998 was an important moment in the construction phase of the company. The interest was overwhelming, resulting in a real tradition. Every year, several thousand visitors managed to find their way to Monnikenwerve at Pentecost. Expectations for the 2024 edition are therefore high. For many visitors, the Pentecost visit to the Ostriches has become a fixed point on the annual calendar, for others it is the opportunity to get acquainted with the flightless birds for the first time. We often hear: “I have wanted to visit so many times, but I never got around to it, I never knew there was such a special farm in Zeeland Flanders!” according to owners Susanne and Floris de Bruijckere.

Golden ANWB Award

The fact that the Ostrich Farm tries to give guests a pleasant day has not escaped the notice of visitors. We were nominated by the ANWB for the ten “Best Outings in Zeeland”. In 2023 this resulted in an unexpected, but wonderful silver award. In 2024 we were even awarded GOLD! “As a small attraction, we are extremely proud of this award.

Lots to see and experience

Of course there are the Ostriches, now about 150 of them. From small chicks to immense breeding animals. During the guided tours that are held every hour, visitors can learn everything about this originally African flightless bird. The regular guides, Floris de Bruijckere, Wibo Bakker, but now also Floris’ eldest son, Bouke, will take you around the farm in their own way and introduce you to the world of the Ostrich. In the cozy tea room with a view over the meadows, you can thoroughly observe all the birds while enjoying a drink. When the weather is good, there is of course also a terrace. But even if the sun fails, there is nothing to worry about. The visitor can also view all the birds from the barns. There is ample parking and the company is easy to visit for disabled people. Dogs are allowed, provided they are kept on a leash.

Products

In the shop (in African style), various ostrich products are on display and for sale. There are the beautifully shiny eggs that serve excellently as decoration. A delicious liqueur (a kind of eggnog) is also prepared from the eggs, which is of course available and can be tasted. Traditionally, there is also the now well-known ostrich cake with coffee. One ostrich egg is enough to bake 7 or 8 cakes. The egg has the contents of approximately 25 chicken eggs! The main product of the ostrich is the tasty and low-cholesterol ostrich meat. During this weekend it is available fresh and of course there is the Ostrich hamburger sandwich from the barbecue! The feathers are processed into feather dusters and the fat of the ostrich is processed into cosmetic products. In addition, its own private label ostrich leather goods “F. Lorinz” has gained considerable fame in just a few years. Yet Susanne and Floris are still trying to add more Ostrich-related products to the range. The cosmetics line has been expanded with a delicious soap and a lip balm, candles have been made from ostrich fat and there are beautifully engraved eggs that can serve as lamps.

You can find Struisvogelboerderij Monnikenwerve at the following address:

Hogeweg 1 in Sluis (between Sluis and Aardenburg towards Heille).
Tel. +31 (0)117-492131
www.destruisvogel.nl
[email protected]

Learn everything about this African flightless bird