Ostrich Information

Size: Height 2 metres; weight 100 - 130 kg (220 - 285 pounds)

Colour: Male is black with white plumes in the wing and buff plumes in the tail. Female is mostly brownish grey, including wing and tail plumes.

Habitat: Bushveld to desert, but usually prefers open country.

The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest eggs. It is a large flightless bird which is native to Africa.

Ostriches can run at speeds of up to 70 km/h. They feed on many types of plants and eat about 3.5 kg of food a day.

Wild ostriches may occur singly or in pairs. Small flocks of up to 50 birds are quite usual and for common protection these may mix with herds of antelope such as springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest or zebra. Ostriches have very keen eyesight and acute hearing, complemented by the strong sense of smell which antelope have.

Ostrich Leather

Ostrich leather is an exquisite leather which is distinguished by its tell-tale "goose bump" pattern of quill sockets. Soft to the touch, ostrich leather is both flexible and durable, making it an ideal working material for the manufacture of many leather goods.

Ostrich leather is considered to be one of the finest and most durable leathers in the world and is currently used by many major fashion houses such as Hermès, Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.

All leather used in the manufacture of {KDJ} is from farm-reared ostriches grown for their health-protecting lean, and low cholesterol meat. This ensures the survival and preservation of those in the wild.

Ostrich Feathers

Ostriches have been hunted for their feathers for many hundreds of years, and in the 18^th century, they were almost hunted to extinction. Farming for feathers began in Oudtshoorn, South Africa, during the 19^th century.

The market for feathers collapsed after World War I, but commercial farming for feathers and later for skins & meat, became widespread during the 1970's.

Ostrich Meat

Ostriches provide a lean, tasty, red meat which is perfect for those pursuing a healthy lifestyle.

low in cholestrol
low in fat
low in kilojoules
rich in protein
rich in iron

Ostrich Eggs

These huge eggs weigh between 1 - 1.5 kilograms and an average egg is 15cm high and 13cm wide. One large ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs and the taste is similar, except that ostrich eggs are slightly richer and creamier. When the egg is placed vertically on sand, it can withstand a weight of 300 kg. When placed horizontally (see photo), it can take 150 kg of weight.

Ostrich eggs are laid in a scraping in the ground created by the male. There are usually 15 - 20 eggs in the nest and they are incubated by the black male at night and the drab female during the day.