Luxurious ostrich feathers brought the atmosphere of celebration, fun and happiness into human life. For centuries, they have been used by artsy aesthetes to beautify their cloister and clothing. Such an attribute has long been associated with good tone and wealth. And if previously there were only a few breeding ostriches, today this occupation is becoming more and more popular. Next, we will tell you how to properly assemble the pen yourself and where you can apply it.
The structure of the ostrich feather
The structure of ostrich plumage depends on its location. This is clearly seen when comparing feathers on the wings and torso. In the first version they are more luxuriant and richer, and in the second they differ in length and thickness of the rod. Therefore, the master determines the desired instance depending on the scope of such a decoration.
Did you know? In the wild, ostriches have an enviable survival, thanks to its well-developed powerful legs and two-meter wings. In the chase, in most cases, they remain winners, because in only one step they overcome 4 meters, and in an hour they reach a speed of 70 kilometers. In addition, wings help to escape from predators, which are not adapted for flying due to weak muscles on the sternum. But in the run, they allow a sharp change in direction without slowing down. After such maneuvers of a potential victim, the exhausted predator needs time to resume the chase.
Experienced ostrich breeders know that chic grows on the wings and tails of their wards. long feathersBut the back, chest, belly of the bird covers downy and filiform plumage. Up to 1 kilogram of such material can be collected from an adult ostrich. The body of small chicks in the first days of life is covered with sharp yellow-brown spines that resemble the shape of needles. Over time, fluff grows out of them, which contributes to the regulation of heat transfer. 
Experts say that the feather matures after 8 months of life. After which it must be clipped. And the more often it is done, the better will be the skin of the feathered pet.
It is important to understand that through each ostrich feather passes a blood vessel that feeds it, and nerve endings. The blood supply stops when the capillaries dry up at the joints of the rods with the skin. At the same time, the growth of the feather barrel does not stop.
The lower part of the plumage is called "green level". It is in it that blood circulates and there are nerves. Characteristically, passing through the center of the rods, they never reach the place of the opening of the pen. Therefore, the haircut for the bird is completely painless.
Did you know? Feet for ostriches - a killer weapon. For comparison, a horse’s hoof stroke is estimated at 20 kg per square centimeter, and an ostrich's punch ― in 30 kg! Such a force easily bends an iron bar of one and a half centimeter thickness.
Value and use
Breeding ostriches is beneficial not only because of meat and egg products. Grooming of one bird can fully cover the cost of its maintenance. After all, for many years, the ostrich plumage has been valued in various branches of the art and clothing industry.
In the XVIII-XIX centuries
This period went down in history with the mass extermination of African ostriches, since at that time a huge number of costumes were required for the then nobility and theater actors.
Learn more about the ostrich subspecies.
Harvesting the pen was done in barbaric ways, and the report went on tons. And if in 1840 1 ton of ostrich feathers was taken out of South Africa, in 1910 this figure had already jumped to 370 tons. 
Auction for the sale of ostrich feathers, XIX century, South Africa Only farmers managed to stop the uncivilized destruction of wild birds. Fortunately, at that time, a trend towards the breeding of ostriches in private households appeared in society. It is this step that saved the population of Middle Eastern species of birds from extinction. 
Fan of ostrich feathers, 1879. But the fashion for decorating household items, clothing and accessories with ostrich elements still remained. 
The luxurious flight and tail feathers were preferably used for the manufacture of fans, the vans, and they also decorated headdresses.
Did you know? Ancient African tribes used ostrich eggs to be used as strong vessels for drinking, and in Europe they learned to make smart cups from it.
Nowadays
Despite the centuries that separated the contemporaries from the European nobility in sturdy and rich hats, decorated with luxurious ostrich feathers, these decorations confidently came into our lives. And today of them do not only bright carnival costumes, hats, but also household items, jewelry. 
Moreover, many mods dare to wear even in everyday life clothing with feather details. The current famous designers offer similar variations on coats, cardigans, dresses, suits and shoes. 
Isadora Duncan Creative Bohemia loves feather boas. Such items were remembered by Isadora Duncan, Cher and Elton John.
Read also about the properties and use of ostrich fat.
Every year for the participants of the Brazilian carnival about a ton of unusual material is purchased. 
Contemporaries successfully use it to clean microscopic parts, because despite technical progress, today it is the best dust collector. 
There are more than 50 countries in the world, including those located in harsh climatic conditions, where they breed ostriches, aiming to procure expensive meat and skin. And as an added bonus, get eggs and feathers. The largest poultry farms of this type are concentrated in South Africa.
Important! The smaller the interval between ostrich haircuts, the more comfortable the conditions should be. We are talking about year-round climate, high-quality feed and proper care. With changeable and unstable climatic conditions, it is worth as little as possible to cut feathers on a bird.
According to experts, only feathers of birds that are more than 2-3 years old are highly valued. The cost of raw materials is determined by its characteristics: gloss, silkiness, length, width, symmetry, density and elasticity. There is even a standard in the selection of quality material. Its requirements include specimens with a length of 70 cm and a width of 30 cm. The most expensive are the primary feathers of the first row on the wings. 
Proper pen collection
To obtain high-quality raw materials, it is important not only to provide the bird with the necessary diet and care, but also to competently conduct a haircut. In no case can not pull out the rods of the skin. They are carefully removed using special scissors at a minimum distance from the body, but not below the "green level".
This should be done when the feather is ripe and its blood vessels die off. Otherwise, the bird may have abundant hemorrhage and pain. Ideal for haircuts suitable individuals who are 2 years old. They have a more developed and fluffy pubescence. Young animals for such purposes are categorically not suitable.
Important! If you grow an ostrich to 12-14 months, then you will need to collect the pen at the age of seven months.
According to experts, it takes about 8 months for the feather stem to mature, but repeated haircuts are allowed within six months. This method of collecting raw materials involves cutting above the core layer of the shafts, which prevents damage to them. Indeed, in most cases, they do not "live to the full maturity." 
Regardless of the technology chosen, the process of procurement of valuable material occurs according to the following algorithm:
- The bird is driven into a special shelter, from which it is individually brought into a close three-sided room, which more resembles a box. Based on the fact that the design should limit the movement of living creatures, its frontal width is about half a meter, the rear part - 70 centimeters, and the height and depth - 120 centimeters each.
- After that, you need to sanitize the tool and start cutting.
- First, feathers are removed from the first 2 rows on the wings.
- Then processed 2 subsequent rows with silk raw materials.
- And only then they are taken for white specimens, leaving a 2.5 centimeter high “hemp” at the skin.
Important! A few months after the haircut, the birds in the sections cut out wells, which will need to be removed to form a new raw material. The procedure is carried out with forceps, after which the skin in the treated places is necessarily lubricated with petroleum jelly or any fat.
As you can see, even today the fashion for ostrich vegetation has not passed. Therefore, ostrich farming for centuries remains a cost-effective occupation. But initially the breeder must master the rules of feeding and maintenance of giant wards. No less important is the knowledge about the care of their plumage. After all, the bird never sheds and necessarily requires regular haircuts.
