Uncover why we created an Ostrich egg waitlist and how the availability of these unique eggs changes throughout the year.
The ostrich egg waitlist was created when many people inquired about Ostrich eggs over the last few years. These unique eggs are quite the conversation starter because of their large size and rich flavor. So many people were interested that we needed to start a waitlist to ensure everyone would get a chance at one of these gems.
Ostrich eggs also have uses beyond just eating them (although that is one of the best parts). They are often used for decorative purposes, such as carving intricate designs on the shell or painting them with vibrant colors. We're working on a blog post with ideas on what to do with your leftover eggshells, so stay tuned...
There are a couple of reasons why we only have a limited number in the year. I want to talk about them here to clear up any confusion on the matter.
Ostriches are a wonderful bird. They also produce many eggs in a year. In captivity they can lay up to 60 eggs in a year, and each egg is the equivalent of between 24-36 chicken eggs.
To give you an idea, the amount of egg produced when compared to chicken eggs would be if one chicken laid 4 eggs a day, 365 days of the year! That poor chicken...lol.
They can do all this on less feed than it takes to house 40 chickens. We've testing this, and often I would be able to skip purchasing a bag of Ostrich feed that week as the birds were eating more grass. They actually eat a large portion of grass and greens in their diet. Their favourite snacks are lettuce and greens from the garden.
All that being said if you compare two Ostriches (because you need a pair) to a flock of 40 layers, the return you get will likely be similar...until you get into incubation of course.
Lastly in this category, Ostriches are seasonal layers. They only lay eggs from April to October each year.
Ok, so now into the important bits... If they produce so many eggs, why do you have a limited supply?
The answer is that Ostrich eggs are not as valuable to the farmers as Ostrich meat. If you haven't tried Ostrich meat you can see our available farm boxes here. It is a fabulous meat that has a taste similar to beef but also has an inherent sweetness that puts it somewhere between beef and pork in flavour. It also is a red meat and a great substitute for ground beef (probably the closest thing you'll find).
But what about the eggs?
With the meat being a more valuable product, Ostriches are specifically farmed using incubation methods. We then raise the chicks up until they are adults.
Ostrich farming is a great industry, but the eggs are largely used up in the incubator. You can't eat the eggs after they've been incubated.
So we have to wait until there are some that can't be incubated...
Those that were rained on before being collected, perhaps those that were extra muddy when collected from the field (no good for incubation but once cleaned they make a wonderful breakfast), or if eggs are laid when we are not currently incubating.
To secure a spot on the Ostrich egg waitlist, please click this link and fill in the required info.
Here is the information that we ask for to get on the waitlist:
We do not require a deposit to get on the waitlist at this time.
Once on the waitlist, it is a matter of patience and waiting for the availability of Ostrich eggs. The waitlist order is usually based on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our best to let you know when to expect the eggs and send an update once a month on the status of the list.
Navigating the waitlist process may require some flexibility and understanding, as the availability of Ostrich eggs can be influenced by various factors, such as the breeding season and the health of the Ostriches.
Ostriches are fussy sometimes as well... with any stress they can stop laying for a period of time. It does make egg collection unpredictable.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ostrich eggs:
- Q: How big are Ostrich eggs?
A: Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs laid by any bird species. They can weigh around 3 to 5 pounds and are very easy to drop in the sink (not from personal experience)...lol.
- Q: Are Ostrich eggs safe to eat?
A: Yes, Ostrich eggs are safe to eat and are considered a delicacy in many cuisines. They have a similar taste to chicken eggs but with a richer and lighter flavor.
- Q: How many chicken eggs are equivalent to one Ostrich egg?
A: One Ostrich egg is equivalent to between 24-36 chicken eggs.
- Q: Can the eggs be hatched?
A: Yes, all of our eggs are fertilized and may be used in the incubator on our farm. The eggs that you receive on the waitlist however have been washed and refrigerated... and will not be suitable for incubation. If you are interested in fertile eggs or day old chicks, please contact Caley through her email at info@moorepremiummeats.ca.
- Q: Should I worry that the eggs are fertilized?
A: No, not at all. The eggs will not start to develop unless they are kept at incubation temperatures for 2+ days. Our eggs are kept at 20 degrees or less prior to being washed and refrigerated, ready to eat.
- Q: How long does it take to hard-boil an Ostrich egg?
A: Hard-boiling an Ostrich egg takes a minimum of 1 hour, but 1.5 hours is a safer bet in case you receive a larger egg.
- Q: Do you have any recipe suggestions?
A: We will be putting out another blog post shortly with ideas on how to cook your Ostrich eggs.
- Q: How do you crack that egg?
A: Please do not try to crack it on a wooden counter! I don't want anyone putting a dent in their furniture buy hitting too hard. The best thing is a metal meat tenderizer. There are also different techniques if you want to keep the eggs for decorative purposes.
We have a "How to crack and Ostrich egg" PDF that we are currently offering for free that will give you a good guide on the different options.
- Q: Can I get the eggs for a certain event I am hosting?
A: Unfortunately, we only follow the order for the waitlist and we are unable to accommodate any dates that you require the eggs by...However, the eggs do store well in the fridge for several months.
These are just a few of the common questions related to Ostrich eggs. If you have any specific inquiries, you can contact Caley directly through info@moorepremiummeats.ca.
We specifically wanted to mention eggs for Easter as we find it is when we get the most inquiries about our eggs.
Obtaining an Ostrich egg for Easter can be challenging due to the limited availability. Our Ostriches aren't always laying reliably until later in April depending on the weather. On colder springs, that date is delayed almost to the start of April.
It is best to plan well in advance and/or be flexible with your plans for cooking Ostrich eggs. By telling us you are interested and getting on the waitlist early, you could increase your chances of obtaining an Ostrich egg for Easter.