Ostrich eggs are one of nature’s marvels — enormous, beautiful, and surprisingly strong. But how do they compare to chicken eggs? Can you really eat one?
Let’s crack into the facts.
CAN YOU EAT OSTRICH EGGS?
Yes — ostrich eggs can be eaten. They taste similar to chicken eggs, though slightly richer and more buttery. Most people who try ostrich eggs for the first time wind up pleasantly surprised.
You might be surprised to learn that ostrich meat tastes pretty great, too. While ostriches are birds, their meat tastes a lot like filet mignon. It digests easily and cooks well on the grill, just like a piece of steak does.
While ostrich meat and eggs are still considered exotic in American culture, that doesn't mean you can't source these healthy products to cook and eat right at home. In fact, some gourmet restaurants serve them on the menu.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF OSTRICH EGGS
Ostrich eggs offer many of the same benefits as chicken eggs. This is good, seeing as many health experts consider eggs to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
- Lots of protein (176g per egg)
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Eggs also contain natural bioactive compounds that help promote human health and ward off disease. The yolk especially is home to several different active ingredients like triglycerides and phospholipids that promote digestion and regulate your metabolism.
HOW MUCH FOOD IS ONE OSTRICH EGG?
To understand just how big an ostrich egg is, let's compare it to a chicken egg.
A jumbo egg is about 70 grams, while ostrich eggs are about 1400 grams on average. Therefore, roughly 20 chicken eggs equal one ostrich egg.
When you break down the cost of an ostrich egg, it's still more expensive than traditional eggs. But keep in mind it's an exotic animal, and things like shipping costs have to be factored in.
Like other eggs, ostrich eggs can spoil. So you'd either need a group of hungry adventurous people to join you or a serious appetite to eat that much in one sitting.
HOW DO YOU COOK OSTRICH EGGS?
You can cook an ostrich egg the same way you'd cook chicken eggs. You'll obviously need a larger cooking apparatus, but it's pretty much the same process.
Boiling an ostrich egg is common for people that have never cooked them before. It takes about 60 minutes to soft-boil and 90 minutes or more to hard-boil, depending on size.
Fried or scrambled ostrich eggs are also common methods. Line your pan with non-stick spray or olive oil, then cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add cheese if you like. Scrambling is probably the easiest method out there.
You could attempt to make an omelet—but you'll need a very large skillet. Even then, you most likely won't be able to get it thin enough to flip or fold over. Maybe try making a few "smaller" (relatively speaking) omelets instead.
WHY WE DON'T SELL OSTRICH EGGS FOR EATING
American Ostrich Farms does not sell ostrich eggs for consumption. While they’re technically edible, there are several practical and regulatory reasons why we focus on other uses instead.
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Fragile and hard to ship: Whole eggs are easily damaged during transport.
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Food safety requirements: Selling edible eggs requires additional handling, testing, and refrigeration regulations that make it cost-prohibitive.
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Sustainability and purpose: While we strive to hatch every viable egg, some eggs are turn out to be infertile. Rather than discard them, we prefer to salvage the beautiful shells for crafting, décor, and education.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
At American Ostrich Farms, we believe in using every part of the bird — from beak to tail feather. While we don’t sell edible eggs, we do offer a range of unique products that reflect our sustainable, full-circle philosophy.
🥚 Ostrich Eggshells
We sell emptied, sterilized ostrich eggshells from infertile eggs — perfect for:
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Painting, carving, or etching
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Decorative displays or lamps
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Classroom demonstrations or science projects
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Arts, crafts, and one-of-a-kind gifts
🥩 Premium Ostrich Meat
As a leading producer of sustainably raised ostrich, we offer a full line of premium red meat that’s as healthy as it is delicious.
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Lean & Heart-Healthy: Ostrich meat is naturally low in fat and cholesterol, yet rich in iron and flavor — a true “healthy red meat.”
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Raised in Idaho: Our birds are farm-raised and processed in our on-site USDA-inspected facility.
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Nose-to-Tail Variety: From tender filets and steaks, to ground ostrich and kebab cubes, every cut delivers unmatched quality and taste.
🦴 Pet Treats
Nothing goes to waste on our ranch. We turn organs, bones, and other offal - cuts that are harder to sell for human consumption - into wholesome pet treats that dogs and cats love.
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Single-Source Protein: Great for pets with allergies or sensitive stomachs.
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No Additives or Fillers: Just pure, gently dehydrated or freeze-dried ostrich meat and organs.
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Sustainably Made: Handcrafted from the same USDA-inspected birds we raise for human consumption — ensuring safety, quality, and full-circle sustainability.
💧 Ostrich Oil Skin Care
Our ostrich oil skin care line brings the nourishing benefits of this ancient ingredient into modern self-care.
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Naturally Moisturizing: Rich in omega fatty acids that deeply hydrate and restore skin.
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Sustainably Sourced: Extracted from byproducts of our food production — nothing is wasted.
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Simple, Clean Formulas: Available in unscented and lightly scented versions made with only the purest natural ingredients.
