Ostriches have been known for their speed throughout the world. They are the fastest and largest birds with long flexible legs that are strong enough to kill a robust predator. You might have heard about them even living around an ostrich farm. But most people are still unfamiliar with ostrich eggs because they lay fewer eggs each year and are much more costly than chickens, so everyone can’t afford them.
Yes, ostriches lay eggs just like chickens, you haven’t heard about it because of their price, and they lay only 40 to 60 eggs per year.
Let’s discuss ostrich eggs more deeply and how many eggs an ostrich lays? Read till the end to know more facts about them and their eggs.
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How Many Eggs An Ostrich Lay Per Year?
Ostrich lays eggs that are significantly bigger than chickens’ eggs. Under normal conditions, ostrich lays 30 to 40 eggs per year, but it can be higher in certain conditions and goes up to 130 eggs per year. It has been seen that ostriches lay more eggs in African habitats than in European habitats.
In the first few years of life, ostriches lay 12 to 18 eggs in their natural habitat, while they lay 10 to 20 eggs in captivity. This number increases with their age.
Ostrich Eggs Size
Like an ostrich size, their eggs are also the biggest among the bird family. A single ostrich egg’s size can be as big as 24 chicken eggs, as they are 6 inches in diameter with 3 pounds of weight. They are 5 inches wide, their thickness lies between 0.05 to 0.08 inches, and they are more in oval shape than chicken eggs. They have a strong shell, and their eggs are the largest ones on the earth as the heaviest one was laid in 2008 in Sweden that weighs more than 5 pounds.
Nutritional Value In Ostrich Eggs
Ostrich egg is highly nutritious, containing more than 2000 calories, 230g protein, and 100g fat. They are rich in other nutrients like essential amino acids, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. It takes more than 40 minutes to cook. They have a sweet flavor, and this single egg will fulfill your body’s nutrient needs.
Health Benefits Of Ostrich Eggs
With plenty of nutrition, ostrich eggs are highly nutritious, having numerous benefits for your health. Some of the health benefits of ostrich eggs are;
- Ostrich eggs are low in cholesterol which helps in weight loss.
- Amino acids in ostrich eggs help make muscles and improve your nervous system.
- It also helps to improve your mood, sleep, and appetite.
- Choline boosts brain functioning and reduces brain fog.
- Essential nutrients increase your body’s energy level by increasing your stamina, strengthening your bones, and improving cardiovascular health.
Ostrich Eggs Price
Ostrich egg cost is a bit higher than chicken egg and cost around $30 each. You can’t find them in the supermarket because they are primarily available at the ostrich farms in specific markets.
How Often Do Ostrich Lay Eggs?
Ostriches lay eggs before the mating season and lay a specific number of eggs. Unlike chickens, they don’t lay eggs throughout the whole year. Usually, ostrich lays eggs in July and June right before the breeding season and lays each egg after 2 days.
Do Ostrich Lay Fertilized Eggs?
Yes, ostrich lay unfertilized eggs but not all the time. Birds lay unfertilized eggs in the early stages of their life, the same ostrich lays unfertilized in early stages, but most of the time, they lay fertilized eggs because they thrive in harsh conditions where it’s hard to find food, water, and other stuff. So, they lay fertilized eggs that will hatch. In most cases, a female first mate with a male to lay fertilized eggs.
At What Age Does Ostrich Start Laying Eggs?
Wild ostriches mature at early 4 to 5 years, and a female starts laying eggs at the age of 2 to 3 years. Ostriches’ age limit for laying eggs varies according to the habitat; it has been detected that ostrich egg-laying performance enhances in African habitats by up to 30 to 35%.
They lay more eggs at the age of 7 to 11 years and can lay eggs till 40 years. In the north, ostrich lay eggs for 6 months, while in the south, they lay eggs for 9 months.
How Many Eggs Does Ostrich Have In Its Nest?
All the ostriches lay eggs in a single nest known as the Dump Nest, which comprises almost 60 eggs. Dominant female ostrich lay eggs in the middle of the nest while the others lay around it. If the dominant female can’t find space, she can destroy some of the eggs of other females. Both males and females sit in the nest during the incubation period.
How Long Does It Take To Hatch Ostrich Eggs?
The hatching time of ostrich eggs varies depending on the conditions. Usually, the hatching process takes around 45 days. Mainly this process depends on temperature. Mostly in the wild, female ostriches lay their eggs in the sand and forget about it so that they can hatch in the hot sand on their own.
Can You Eat Ostrich Eggs?
Yes, you can eat ostrich eggs; they are highly nutritious and tasty. The only thing that makes it unique is its size. If you are going to try it for the first time, you might be surprised by its taste because it tastes similar to chicken eggs.
Uses Of Ostrich Eggshell
Ostrich eggs are too healthy, containing bundles of nutrition. Their eggs’ shells have been used for different purposes; mainly, African tribes use them to transport various fluids like water. It works like a mini container for them.
It can be used for decoration purposes. In Africa, numerous eggshells were discovered with unique paintings on them, referred to as thousands of years old.
Nowadays, ostrich eggshells have been used in art, decoration, manufacturing different items, etc.
Final Words
Ostrich lays 12 to 18 eggs each year, but this amount increases with their age, reaching up to more than 100 eggs per year. Their eggs are healthy and contain plenty of nutrients that improve our health. Ostrich eggs are enormous in size and weight and costly because of their size and less production.
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