Home » Articles about ostriches » Ostrich egg weight
In captivity, in addition to African ostriches, rheas, emus, and cassowaries are bred. The weight of eggs laid by these birds, the color of the shell, and productivity differ.
Description
Ostrich eggs come in only two colors. Dark emus are deep green, almost black; white-gray rheas are yellow-pink. Thus, the color of the shell directly depends on the color of the female.
The contents of an ostrich egg are almost no different from ordinary ones. The white is transparent, the yolk is orange (the intensity of the color depends on how long the female spent outdoors and received vitamin D from sunlight).
Ostriches lay eggs from March to October. In total, one female produces from 40 to 80 eggs. At the beginning of the season, the clutch is replenished every other day. After reaching about two dozen, the ostrich takes a break, after which she resumes walking. During the breeding season, most of the eggs are fertilized, and only 10% may be unfertilized at the beginning or end of the season.
In general, ostriches are healthy birds. One pair can reproduce for 30 years. Therefore, farmers began to value them dearly: a one-time expenditure on one male and one female can provide profit for several decades to come.
The weight of an ostrich egg ranges from 500 grams to 2 kilograms. Moreover, the bulk of the mass comes from the contents, since the shell is very light, but durable. This quality has made it a favorite material for engraving and painting. Many artists even compare ostrich shells to porcelain.
Features of the reproductive system of ostriches
The ostrich reaches full sexual maturity by 2-2.5 years. Readiness for reproduction is indicated by the darkening color of the legs and skin around the beak. Females can lay eggs after the first 1.5 years of life, but according to farmers’ statistics, at this age unfertilized eggs are released or dead chicks are born. After the third year of laying, the quality of eggs increases and egg production becomes stable.
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There are cases when malfunctions occur in the bird’s body, the female does not bear offspring for the entire season. Sometimes the male and female are not compatible with each other and they do not produce offspring. The stability of egg production in birds is highly dependent on housing conditions, feeding and physical activity. We need spacious pens where ostriches can run and stretch their muscles.
How often do ostriches lay
The ability of birds to reproduce remains for 30 years. The mating season of birds lasts from early spring to late autumn. In one year, the female brings about 70 eggs. To increase fertility and the bird's desire to lay more, farmers constantly monitor the number of eggs in the nest.
The fewer of them there are, the more actively the ostrich will rush. Half of ostrich eggs are unfertilized. They are the ones that are sold and eaten. The rest of the clutch is sold to other farmers for breeding birds or placed in an incubator.
Beneficial features
An ostrich egg weighing 1.5 kg can contain up to 1000 g of protein and 320 g of yolk. And that means a decent dose of nutrients. Compared to the eggs of our usual poultry, ostrich eggs are more dietary, and also hold the absolute record for selenium and sodium content. They are rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. For those wondering how many chicken eggs are in an ostrich egg, it will be interesting to know that the ratio is approximately 40:1.
Of course, one cannot fail to note the large size of ostrich eggs. From one such “egg” you can prepare an omelette for 10 people. Which, by the way, has been done in Polish restaurants for a long time. In size, this dish can be comparable to a large pizza. If the invasion of guests is delayed, the ostrich egg can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 months (if there is no damage to the shell) or simply cooked in portions, storing the leftovers in a tightly closed container (no more than 3 days). In addition, the ostrich egg has a strong taste, so adding it to baked goods can add some variety to our usual dishes.
What are the benefits of ostrich eggs and can they cause harm?
Ostrich embryos are a dietary product because their rich composition is combined with low calorie content. They are used as the basis of a full breakfast, a nutritious snack, and are good as healthy food for the road.
A balanced complex of deficient amino acids, vitamins and minerals is easily absorbed by the digestive tract, quickly saturating the body, which prevents overeating and excess weight gain.
Eggs of farm birds in numbered honey. In diets, they can be used whole, whites and yolks separately. They are an essential part of the diet of sick and weakened people and athletes.
The product is likely to be harmful to persons allergic to chicken equivalent. It is susceptible to salmonella contamination to the same extent as other landbird eggs and therefore cannot be recommended for consumption raw.
Is the product safe for children and pregnant women to eat?
An ostrich egg for a child seems to be one of the most preferable complementary feeding options, along with chicken and quail embryos. Product Warns:
- development of anemia;
- the occurrence of problems with immunity;
- delayed growth of bones and joints;
- deficiency of muscle mass.
During gestation, eggs are necessary to replenish selenium and zinc reserves. They help strengthen the heart and blood vessels.
Note! For small children under the age of one year and nursing mothers, it is better to replace the exotic delicacy with more familiar products.
Flaws
An ostrich egg may not be digestible if a person is intolerant to the substances it contains. Children are especially prone to allergic reactions. Therefore, if you find yourself or your child with a rash on the skin, if signs of digestive system failure appear, it is better to avoid this product.
It should be remembered that cholesterol has a relatively low specific gravity in ostrich eggs, but this does not mean that they can be abused. Excess cholesterol is harmful to blood vessels. Moderation is important in everything.
Another disadvantage is the difficulty with opening. You won’t be able to break a shell the same way as a regular chicken shell.
Energy value
The figures below are relative and may vary depending on the weight of the ostrich egg.
| Calorie content | 120 kcal |
| Squirrels | 15 g |
| Fats | 31 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.7 g |
| Water | 52 g |
| Ash | 0.9 g |
| Beta carotene | 37 mg |
| Vitamin E | 117 mg |
| Phosphorus | 1.080 mg |
| Sodium | 3.03 mg |
| Calcium | 0.30 mg |
Nutritional characteristics and composition
The composition of an ostrich egg is practically no different from other birds. The lipid and protein content is close to that of a chicken product, but the calorie content is low, only 118 kcal per 100 g.
Due to its enormous size, one egg is a real storehouse of nutrients.
It contains:
- vitamin A - 19.5 mcg/g;
- carotenoids - 36.6 µg/g;
- vitamin E - 116.5 mcg/g.
The product also includes:
- iron;
- zinc;
- selenium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- manganese;
- phosphorus.
In addition, they are superior to chicken in the content of lysine, threonine and amino acids. But there is no sodium at all.
The nutritional value
Content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates per 100 g of product:
| Proteins (g) | Fat (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Ash (g) | Water (g) |
| 12,5 | 11,8 | 0,7 | 1 | 74 |
An egg weighing 1600 g contains about 1000 g of protein and 320 g of yolk.
Do ostrich eggs eat?
Perhaps many residents of Russia may ask a similar question. Ostriches have long been bred in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. In total, about 50 countries in the world have such an industry as ostrich farming. Despite the fact that in our understanding a dish made from an ostrich egg is exotic, relatively recently specialized farms began to appear in Russia. Therefore, if you want to purchase this product, this is where you should go. It makes no sense to look for such a curiosity in stores and markets.
What is prepared from ostrich eggs? In general, they can be eaten in the same way as regular poultry products: boiled, fried, baked. The only difference is that one ostrich egg can feed a group of ten people. Restaurants love them for their decent size. When several waiters bring a giant scrambled egg into the hall, it’s an entertaining sight
The taste of ostrich eggs is similar to chicken eggs, but is more piquant. That’s why people in South Africa love to add it to baked goods.
How an ostrich rushes (video)
Several females can lay eggs in one nest. Then they take turns incubating the eggs, sometimes the males replace them. The incubation period lasts more than a month. The chicks break the shell with their feet. The cubs hatch already sighted and with thick down to avoid freezing. After a few hours they stand up and can follow the adult birds. After hatching, the male usually takes care of the young.
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Unfortunately, in the conditions of many European farms, ostrich eggs are very vulnerable to microbial contamination. There is no protective film under the shell, so microbes easily penetrate into open pores. In the hot sands of Africa there are no such problems, but the humid climate and loamy soils lead to embryonic mortality reaching 25%. That’s why it’s so important to cover the floors in enclosures with sand and monitor the humidity. A baby ostrich in atypical conditions also needs special care. Conscientious farmers who care about the prosperity of their farms pay great attention to this.
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How to get to the content?
To open an ostrich egg, you will need some cunning. Since the shell is very strong, it cannot be broken in the usual way. As a rule, two holes are made in it (at the top and at the base) with a special tool, which is a curved twisted knitting needle. Directly inside the egg, you need to break the yolk so that it mixes with the white. After this, the resulting mixture is blown into a previously prepared container (just exhale into the top hole so that the contents pour out through the bottom). Thus, it will not be possible to make fried eggs from an ostrich egg. It is usually used to make omelettes.
However, there is another method, invented by an unknown, savvy Russian person: it is enough to simply saw through the shell with a hacksaw.
Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting facts about ostrich eggs:
- ostrich eggs are the largest in the world, the largest egg was discovered in China, its weight was more than 2 kg, and its diameter was 18.6 cm;
- a female ostrich can lay 40-80 eggs in one season;
- You can make scrambled eggs from one egg and feed 10 people;
- males incubate eggs at night, and females during the day;
- Recently, it has become popular to paint ostrich eggs for Easter; they make interesting and unusual “colors”;
- ostriches in one nest can hatch up to 25 eggs at the same time;
- for comparison, the shell thickness of a chicken egg is only 0.3-0.4 mm, a goose egg is 0.55 mm, ostrich eggs are also record holders here with a shell thickness of 2-2.55 mm.
How to cook an ostrich egg
We offer several options for how to serve this delicacy.
- Cooking.
It will take at least 70 minutes to reach the hard boil level. If you are a connoisseur of other methods, you will need to carefully monitor the time. Let's start with how long does it take to boil a soft-boiled ostrich egg? To do this, you need to time about 45 minutes. If you keep it in boiling water for a little less, about 35 minutes, you will get the classic “in the bag.” Poaching will take no more than 20 minutes.
- Fried eggs.
Ingredients: ostrich egg (1 piece), ham (150 grams), butter (2 tablespoons), green onions (1 bunch), paprika (1 teaspoon), pepper and salt (to taste).
Preparation:
- Wash and chop the onion. Divide into 2 parts.
- Chop the ham into bars.
- Add onion and ham to the bowl with the egg, stir (you can add milk to taste).
- Place the resulting mixture in an oven preheated to 170°C (the omelette pan must be pre-greased with oil). Bake until liquids have completely evaporated.
Sprinkle the finished omelette with the second half of the chopped onion.
- Omelet in Portuguese.
Ingredients: ostrich egg (1 piece), tomatoes (5 pieces), zucchini (500 grams), hard cheese (to taste), tomato sauce (to taste), spices and herbs (to taste).
Preparation:
- Pour the egg into a large hot frying pan. Fry, periodically lifting the edges.
- Chop the tomatoes and zucchini and fry in oil in another frying pan.
- Spread the vegetable mixture over the ostrich egg and wrap the omelette in a roll.
Pour tomato sauce over the finished dish, sprinkle with grated cheese, herbs and spices.
What a fresh ostrich egg should look like and weigh
Of course, it is best if you have the opportunity to come and choose an ostrich egg yourself at the farm, because it will be very disappointing to pay a lot of money and receive a stale product.
In order to make the right choice, it is not enough just to know what an ostrich egg looks like and how much it weighs. You need to be able to determine how fresh it is. But let's start in order.
The average weight of an ostrich egg is one and a half kilograms. There are also very large specimens weighing up to two kilograms, and there are also small ones - 400-500 grams each. The heaviest ostrich egg - a Guinness Book record holder - weighed 2 kilograms and 589 grams. It was demolished by a female ostrich on a farm in Borlange (Sweden).
Ostrich eggs can be white, beige, light green and dark green in color. It depends on the breed of ostrich. But the freshness of a giant egg is always determined the same way.
If you take the egg in your hands and shake it lightly, you should not hear any gurgling sounds. If such sounds are clearly audible, then the egg is already old and the air chamber in it is enlarged.
The long-awaited egg has been selected and purchased. Now you need to decide how to prepare it.
Ostrich meringue
Ingredients: ostrich egg (1 piece), cream (2 liters), cheese (200 grams), herbs (tablespoon), ground chili pepper (to taste), salt (to taste).
Preparation:
- Make 2 holes in the ostrich egg, blow the contents into a bowl and beat until smooth.
- Add herbs, cream, salt, chili pepper and finely grated cheese. Mix again.
- Pour the resulting mixture onto a baking sheet, cover well with foil and place in a preheated oven.
After 20 minutes, remove the baking sheet, remove the foil and put the dish back in the oven. Bake until done.
This is what it is, an ostrich egg: a little shocking in its size, but capable of replacing our usual chicken egg.
