The ostrich is a treasure from head to toe. How high is its economic value?

The ostrich is the largest bird known to us today. But did you know that it holds enormous economic value? It can be said to be a treasure from head to toe. Below, the Tumiao.com editor will take everyone to get to know and understand the economic value of the ostrich.

The economic value of the ostrich

1. Ostrich meat

The ostrich is a large poultry species with a fast early growth rate. At 12 to 14 months of age, the African black ostrich can reach a body weight of about 100 kg, which is more than 90% of its adult weight, and its meat yield is about 38% of its live weight. The ostrich has well-developed leg muscles, which are its main meat-producing organ, and 80% of the meat comes from there. Ostrich meat is red muscle, similar in appearance to beef, and has the characteristics of high protein, low fat, low cholesterol, and low calories, and the muscle is tender with a delicious taste. Because production is relatively small, the product is in short supply.

2. Ostrich skin

Ostrich skin is one of the main products of ostrich farming. Processed ostrich leather is among the world's precious leathers, mainly used in the fashion industry, processed into handbags, shoes, and belts. Japan also uses ostrich skin for interior decoration materials in high-end cars, and the price is not low. South Africa has always developed ostrich skin as a major ostrich product. China has also mastered the tanning process for ostrich leather and has batch exports. Ostrich leather has the advantages of being attractive, soft, durable, and breathable. Because of the advantages of ostrich leather, demand is very high.

3. Ostrich eggs

Ostrich eggs are the king of bird eggs, weighing about 1.5 kg, with the largest nearly 2 kg. The protein content of ostrich eggs is as high as 22.5%, far exceeding chicken eggs (protein content 14.7%), and the calcium and iron contents also exceed those of chicken eggs. Ostrich eggs have a delicate texture, a unique and delicious flavor, no fishy smell, and high edible value. Ostrich eggs can be directly stir-fried, steamed, or boiled, and are also suitable for processing cakes and egg tarts; some companies also use them to process century eggs. The ostrich eggshell is relatively thick (2 mm) and has an ivory-like luster. A complete eggshell can be carved and painted, making it a very good raw material for processing high-end handicrafts, and broken eggshells can also be made into collage pictures.

4. Ostrich feathers

People recognized the value of ostrich feathers far earlier than ostrich meat, eggs, and skin, mainly for decoration and making handicrafts. The structure of ostrich feathers differs from that of other poultry feathers because the barbs are small and do not have hooks on them, so they do not form vanes; therefore, they are soft and comfortable. The fully developed white wing feathers of the ostrich are broad and spreading, beautiful and attractive, and easy to dye, with extremely high artistic appeal, and are widely used in high-grade display case decoration and celebratory ceremonies. Another feature of ostrich feathers is that they do not generate static electricity, so they can be made into dusters for household use and for dust removal from precision instruments. At present, the purchase price of ostrich body feathers is 40 to 150 yuan per kg, and the price of white wing feathers is higher. The down strips processed from wing feathers reach an international market price of as high as 2000 USD per kg, used for decorating the hems of women's fashion dresses.

5. Ornamental value

The ostrich is huge in size, unique in appearance, graceful in posture, and glossy in plumage, with very high ornamental value, and seeing it for the first time has a strong visual impact. Zoos also have quite a few ostriches. An ecological economic system can be established.

6. Other values

Ostrich oil is odorless and light yellow, and when solidified it becomes a milky white paste. Nutritional analysis shows that unsaturated fatty acids account for 64% of ostrich fat, of which polyunsaturated fatty acids account for 29.7%, far higher than beef and chicken. In addition, ostrich oil has strong permeability, giving it obvious effects in repairing cells, relaxing muscles and tendons, relieving pain, and reducing inflammation, so it has great development potential in the medical field. Ostrich oil has good moisturizing and hydrating properties and can be processed into skincare products and cosmetics. Ostrich bones are hard and dense, making them a high-quality raw material for processing calcium supplement products.

Alright, the above is the economic value of the ostrich brought to you by the Tumiao.com editor. I hope you like it, and see you next time.