Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand when they are scared. But it is true that they are the second fastest animal on earth and that they lay the biggest eggs.

Hardly believable, but also true, is that a number of Bulgarian farmers have been breeding ostriches at 43 locations around Bulgaria for the past five years, and have an association registered back in 1998.

Since last month, Bulgaria is licensed to export the bird's meat, after five-year efforts on the part of the State Veterinary and Sanitary Control (SVSC), Zina Ivanova of the SVSC said.

"Ostriches are amazing birds," she said. "Nothing is thrown away from them."

Ostrich meat is a healthy delicacy known for its good taste and low cholesterol. The hide is used for leather accessories ranging from belts to bags and boots. Feathers are used for decoration of clothing and eggs are both used for cooking and souvenirs.

Even ostrich legs have been used to support tables, because of the durability of the bones.

Yet the exotic bird is little known in Bulgaria.

"The Bulgarians are skeptical, if it's not a beefsteak, it's not good for eating," said Valeri Atanassov, owner of one of the first ostrich farms in Bulgaria and deputy chair of the Association of Ostrich Farmers in Bulgaria (AOFB).

The taste of ostrich meat however is very close to that of beef. In blind taste tests consumers have rated the taste and texture of ostrich steaks equal to choice beef loin steaks.

In addition, its cholesterol levels are lower than in any traditional meat such as beef, lamb, chicken and turkey, and are equal to two thirds of the content in pork. Calories in ostrich meat are three times less than in pork.

But due to the reserved reactions of shop owners, ostrich meat is not yet wide-spread in Bulgaria. The Red House restaurant in Sofia is one of the few that offer ostrich dishes. The meat is a rarity in stores.

Members of AOFB plan to start supplying their produce to hypermarkets such as Billa and Metro from the beginning of next year.

"We are not able to guarantee sufficient quantities for now," Atanassov said.

He said the association would publish a cookbook with recipes and tips on how to prepare ostrich dishes as soon as the meat becomes more popular on the Bulgarian market.

The value of one kilogram of lean meat is now estimated at 15 leva, but the market will determine the final price, said Kosyo Rachev, chair of AOFB. Ostrich eggs for cooking are priced 25 leva.

Seven or eight larger ostrich farms, where the birds are incubated, bred, and crammed, are scattered around the country. They are located in villages near Sofia, Varna, Bourgas, Smolyan, Vratsa and Dobrich.

The bulk of their production is meat and eggs. There is much room for development, though.

"Ostrich hide is tougher than calfskin and only crocodile skin is more attractive and beautiful than it," Atanassov said. Ivanova added that the best scuba diving suits are made of ostrich hide because of its high water resistance.

"Sadly, for now we don't know well the technology for processing it," Atanassov said.

Rachev said that ostrich lard has been used in the Middle Ages for treating warriors' wounds and now a wide range of cosmetic products with various content of ostrich lard are produced. None of them are made in Bulgaria yet, though.

The white and yolk of the exotic bird's eggs, equal in volume to 24 hen's eggs, have the same taste as their more popular equivalents. The shell, however, is more precious. Carved or painted, it makes a bestseller souvenir. Ostrich eggshells are painted as vases, lamps or icons in Bulgaria and exported to Western Europe.

"Ostrich egg souvenirs are a preferred present," Atanassov said. He said that he and his colleagues would aim primarily at the foreign market as a more open one.

"A painted egg here costs 30 to 40 leva, while it could be sold for a double sum in Austria or Germany," Atanassov said.

With so much room for development in their business, ostrich farmers could surely have a bright future. Yet Atanassov said that the investment for building a functioning farm is not small - at least 20,000 leva.

Luckily enough, ostriches are not capricious animals and easily adapt to the climate in Bulgaria. Low temperatures do not scare them - they are successfully farmed in at least 50 countries, ranging from Alaska to South Africa. They are only susceptible to moisture and mildew.

"Two people can look after as many as 300 or 400 birds," Atanassov said. "You only need to observe strict hygiene, feed them twice a day, provide fresh water and never stress them out, because they can become really unruly," he added.

Ivanova said that ostrich riding is a great tourist attraction abroad and hopefully one day this could be practiced in Bulgaria, too.

"Just don't approach the birds while you are wearing shiny jewellery and watches, because ostriches can be overly curious and you can receive an unexpected peck," she said, laughing.

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Ostrich facts

• Ostriches cannot fly but can run at 64 km/h, which makes them the second fastest animal on earth.
• Ostriches live for 40 years on average but record old birds have reached 100 years.
• Ostrich eggs are the biggest in the world but the smallest in relative size to the parent.
• Ostrich skeletons have been found dating back over 120 million years, the age of dinosaurs.
• Ostriches do not bury their head in the sand. If threatened while sitting on the nest, which is a concavity in the earth, the female presses her long neck flat along the ground, blending with the background.
• Ostriches are an extremely resourceful species and one of the only "environmentally friendly" animals in the world.