Meets and Eat Ostriches at Carowinds Theme Park, South Carolina

Bert Meets and Eats Ostriches Bert I'm at Birdbrain Ostrich Ranch just outside Charlotte, North Carolina, the only place in North Carolina where you can get up- close and personal with the ostriches. Let's take a look around. A fully functional farm, Birdbrain Ostrich Ranch also offers tours and gives visitors the rare opportunity to feed these flightless birds, sample their meet and learn all about the unique creature. So how many ostriches do you have out here? Beth: We probably got close to 40 right now. Bert: Well, how many of those are breeders and how many of those are meat birds? Beth: We have four roosters that are breeders and nine hens. Those are the ones that live here all the time. The lifespan of these things is 70 years. So, they’re going to be here for awhile. Bert: Now do they burry their heads? Beth: No, that’s an old wives tale. Bert: Really? Take me on a tour. Show me your ostriches. They look starts small and let’s meet the babies. How old are these guys? Beth: Watch it. It's ferocious. These guys are about a week and a half. Bert: You’re a week and a half old? Beth: They grow eight to 10 inches a month. There’s still to the point where they’re not sure about people yet. Bert: I wouldn’t trust us. We’re going to eat you. Beth: You’re not supposed to tell them that until -- Bert: Bite me. Was that him? Oh. Beth: Oh, you speak ostrich? Bert: We’re going to see the big ones. Now, can I hand feed one? Beth: Yeah. Bert: Here. I'll keep my – a lot, sorry, I spilled two very easily. I'm not talking Ostrich. Look out. I don’t know who’s more scared, me or the ostrich. I think of ostrich is the same way I think about pacus. It's like a niche industry but it's more main stream than I know I think. Beth: This has been a big business in this country for a long time. I’ve actually tracked the importation of the ostrich into this country to the late 1800s. Bert: Really? Beth: It was really the fashion industry that brought these guys over for their feathers and their plumage. It wasn’t for the meat. It wasn’t for the skin. It was not until the early 90s that it really kicked into a meat market. Bert: Now, what does ostrich meat taste like? Beth: It’s a red meat. It's kind of a cross between venison and beef. Bert: Oh so, it’s lean? Beth: Very lean and there’s absolutely no fat marbled into the meat. It's actually lower in fat and calories than chicken or turkey. Bert: I love hearing that. Okay, you're introducing me to my first ostrich burger. You ready? Beth: Go for it. Bert: This looks really good. Oh my God, that’s really good. Beth: Of course. Bert: It taste like regular meat but the texture is softer. Beth, thank you so much. Beth: You’re more than welcome. Bert: That was the best ostrich burger I’ve ever had, only in North Carolina. Done.