Yes, ostriches do lay unfertilized eggs. Female ostriches are known to lay eggs regardless of whether they have mated with a male. This behavior is similar to that of many bird species.
In the wild, a female ostrich can lay about 7 to 10 eggs at a time. These eggs are typically part of a communal nest, where multiple females contribute their eggs. When an ostrich lays an unfertilized egg, it will not develop into a chick since there has been no mating with a male. However, these eggs are still large and can weigh around 3 pounds (1.4 kg), making them among the largest eggs produced by any bird.
Unfertilized ostrich eggs are often used in various culinary delicacies and can also be enjoyed for their unique size and taste. In captivity, providing the right conditions for breeding such as a male presence can lead to fertilized eggs, but missed mating opportunities can result in the laying of unfertilized ones as well.