Ostrich eggs are available from specialty farms that sell direct to consumers, from online retailers that ship nationwide, and from marketplaces like Amazon for decorative shells. Where you buy depends on what you need the egg for: cooking, hatching, or crafting. Prices typically range from $20 to over $50 per egg, with fertile hatching eggs sometimes costing double that.
Online Retailers That Ship Fresh Eggs
The most straightforward option for most people is ordering online from an ostrich ranch. Floeck’s Country Ostrich Ranch in New Mexico ships both fresh eating eggs and fertile hatching eggs via Priority Mail, with delivery taking two to three days to most areas in the U.S. A handful of other small farms sell through their own websites or through specialty food marketplaces.
Because ostrich eggs are perishable and heavy (about 1,400 grams, or roughly 3 pounds each), shipping adds meaningful cost on top of the egg itself. Expect to pay $30 to $50 or more for a single edible egg once shipping is factored in. Availability fluctuates with the laying season, so placing an order during peak months gives you the best chance of getting one quickly.
Buying Direct From an Ostrich Farm
If you live near an ostrich farm, buying in person is the freshest and often cheapest route. Ostrich operations in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa sell directly to individual customers, local restaurants, and hotels. In Europe, some farms have on-site processing and can sell meat and eggs straight to consumers in their local area.
There’s no single national directory that lists every farm, but searching for “ostrich farm” plus your state or region will usually turn up nearby options. The American Ostrich Association and similar national groups in other countries maintain member lists that can point you toward local producers. Farmers’ markets in rural areas occasionally carry ostrich eggs as well, particularly during laying season.
When Ostrich Eggs Are in Season
Female ostriches lay eggs from roughly March through September, producing 25 to 50 eggs per season. Outside that window, fresh eggs become scarce or unavailable entirely. If you’re planning a special meal or event around an ostrich egg, order during spring or summer for the widest selection. Some farms freeze-process eggs or sell preserved products year-round, but a fresh whole egg is a seasonal item.
Edible Eggs vs. Fertile Hatching Eggs
Retailers distinguish clearly between eggs meant for eating and eggs meant for incubation, and the price difference is significant. Edible eggs run $20 to $50. Fertile hatching eggs can cost $75 to $100 or more because they require careful handling to remain viable.
Hatching eggs need to be incubated within about 10 days of laying for the best chance of a successful hatch. They’re shipped via Priority or Express Mail only when temperatures are moderate, since extreme heat or cold can kill the developing embryo. Floeck’s Country, one of the better-known sources, ships hatching eggs seasonally and sells ostrich chicks during hatching season as well.
If you’re considering hatching, check your local regulations first. Many states and municipalities have restrictions on keeping ratites (the bird family that includes ostriches). Importing hatching eggs from outside the U.S. involves USDA import permits, veterinary health certificates, and a minimum 30-day quarantine at an approved facility, so international sourcing is not a casual process.
Decorative and Craft Shells
If you want the shell rather than what’s inside it, Amazon and Etsy carry cleaned, drained ostrich eggshells ready for crafting. These are drilled, emptied, and sanitized so you can paint, carve, or display them immediately. They’re popular for acrylic pours, rotary tool carving, centerpieces, and even light fixtures. Decorative shells are available year-round since they don’t need to be fresh, and they’re lighter and easier to ship than whole eggs.
How Big Is an Ostrich Egg, Really
One ostrich egg is equivalent to about 20 chicken eggs. At roughly 1,400 grams (compared to 70 grams for a jumbo chicken egg), a single ostrich egg can make a scramble that feeds a small group. The shell is about 2 millimeters thick and requires a saw, chisel, or heavy knife to open, not just a tap on the counter. The taste is similar to a chicken egg but slightly richer, with a more buttery flavor in the yolk. Most people who cook them use the egg for a single large dish rather than trying to store leftover raw egg.
What to Expect on Price
A quick summary of typical costs:
- Fresh edible egg: $20 to $50, plus shipping
- Fertile hatching egg: $75 to $100 or more, with seasonal availability
- Empty decorative shell: $15 to $30 on Amazon or Etsy
Prices vary by farm location, time of year, and demand. Spring and early summer tend to have the most inventory and the most competitive pricing, since that’s when hens are laying at their peak. By late summer, supply tightens, and some farms sell out for the season entirely.