OUR OSTRICH EGGS

Ostriches are the world’s largest living, flightless birds and they are native to South Africa - the leading producer within the ostrich industry. Their exotic leather, feathers and meat are highly sought-after luxuries across the globe. A natural by-product of these majestic birds is their cream-coloured eggshells - a signature element found in Leo & Stripes’ décor range. 

Every season, a female ostrich lays a remarkable number of eggs, ranging from 40 to 120.  Ostrich eggs are the biggest eggs in the world and are roughly the size of 24 regular chicken eggs. Whilst every ostrich egg is covered in small pores, each one varies slightly in terms of its colour, texture, size, and shape – making each of them truly one-of-a-kind.

At Leo & Stripes, all of our eco-friendly ostrich eggs originate from certified breeders or local farms within the Klein Karoo region in South Africa. They engage in sustainable and good-farming practices to ensure the humane treatment of their ostriches. 

We only source ostrich eggs that would otherwise be discarded due to natural reasons, such as infertility. On average, 100.000 to 150.000 eggs end up as refuse on overcrowded landfills annually, leading to significant health and environmental issues locally.

Upcycling and repurposing these natural by-products into our beautiful statement pieces is part of our eco-conscious approach. Not only does our business model give us peace of mind over the ethical origins of our raw materials, but it also enables us to play an active role in minimising waste and promoting sustainability in Africa.

 

Find out more about our Ostrich Egg Carving Process.