It is now a sustainable, dynamic industry, no longer exclusively reliant on fine feathers for its survival. The main appeal of the modern ostrich is its meat. In a world that prefers healthy, leaner cuts of protein, the ostrich fits the bill. Ostrich skin is also used for jackets, handbags and shoes, while the eggshells are used for decorative purposes. Feathers are still a fashion item, albeit not as prominent as a century ago.