Description
Ostrich Eggs for Sale Online
The largest, strongest egg in the bird world — for hatching, cooking, or art.
💪 Extremely Strong Shell
🎨 History in Ancient Art
By the Numbers
Three Ways to Use an Ostrich Egg
Hatching
Choose a fertile egg for incubation, and plan to set the temperature correctly right away.
Culinary
Cook with a fresh egg, and expect one to easily feed a large group on its own.
Decorative
Carve or paint a cleaned, blown shell, and join a tradition that stretches back thousands of years.
Archaeologists have dated engraved ostrich eggshell fragments from southern Africa to roughly 60,000 years ago, which makes them some of the oldest decorative art humans ever created. From there, the tradition carried forward through ancient Egypt, Phoenicia, and Crete, and by the European Renaissance, collectors prized elaborately mounted ostrich eggs as genuine luxury objects.
Strong Enough to Stand On
Testing has shown that an intact shell can hold well over 220 pounds, as long as the weight spreads out evenly across it. Interestingly, the dome shape does just as much work as the shell material itself. Even so, don’t assume it’s indestructible: a sharp, concentrated hit can crack it far more easily than steady pressure ever would. That’s exactly why most people reach for a drill or a saw when they open a fresh egg, rather than tapping it the way you would a chicken egg.
Nutrition and Handling
One egg alone packs a serious nutritional punch: around 2,000 calories and a hefty dose of protein. If hatching sounds like the plan instead, take a look at our Ostrich Chicks page first, so you know what to expect once the egg hatches. For culinary eggs, refrigerate promptly and cook soon after purchase. For decorative eggs, clean the shell thoroughly before you start carving or painting.
Buyer Questions
How big is an ostrich egg compared to a chicken egg?
One ostrich egg holds about as much as two dozen chicken eggs, and it typically weighs around 3 pounds.
Can an ostrich egg really support a person’s weight?
Yes, when you spread the weight evenly across the shell, testing shows it can hold well over 220 pounds.
How long does it take an ostrich egg to hatch?
Plan on 42 to 46 days of incubation, and keep the temperature steady and the handling careful throughout.
Are ostrich eggs good for cooking?
Definitely. They’re protein-rich and edible, and a single egg can easily feed a large group, so refrigerate it and cook it soon after you buy it.
Why are ostrich eggs used in decorative art?
Their size and tough shell make them a natural fit for carving and painting, and people have used them this way for roughly 60,000 years.
How do I open a fresh ostrich egg?
Most people need a drill or a saw to get through the shell, since a simple tap won’t do the trick like it would with a chicken egg.
What’s the difference between a hatching egg and a fresh egg?
A hatching egg is fertile and ready for incubation, while a fresh egg is meant for the kitchen, and sellers usually price the two differently.
