Emu Egg Information
Emu eggshells are extremely hard they are usually 1.2mm in thickness and can vary in colour and surface texture. No two eggs are exactly the same although all of the eggs laid by each hen will have similar characteristics whether it is size, shape, colour or texture.
All emu egg shells have one 3.95mm
hole in the big end.
Emu egg shells are light sensitive and exposure to direct sunlight for long periods will change the colour to almost black and finally leach all of the colour from the egg shell turning it white. To help prevent fading most crafts people coat their eggs with an UV resistant lacquer finish.
Emu eggshell powder is believed to have been used as a mineral supplement to promote well being. Analyses of the emu eggshell powder has shown that it would have provided the user with many of the essential minerals known to be necessary for general good health.
Emus only lay once a year starting late autumn or early winter and continue laying for approximately twelve weeks during late afternoon or early evening.
The females can lay up to 25 eggs in a breeding season. They lay the first egg of the season then the next one about 4 days later, then every alternate day. Once the male goes broody the female will either cease laying or find another unattached male and continue laying.
The male incubates the eggs for 56 days and then cares for the chicks until they are approximately eighteen months old and are almost fully-grown.
Emu eggs are heat sensitive and the light shading in the egg shell will change to a turquoise colour during incubation.
Emu eggs are seen as a delicacy by the aboriginal people and are proving very popular in some of Australias top restaurants.
| Thickness | 1.2mm |
| Breadth | 75mm - 100mmm |
| Length | 120mm - 150mm |
| Colour | light green to dark green |
| Texture | smooth to open pattern |
| Weight (average) - with contents | 600 grams |
| Weight ( average) - egg shell | 95 grams |
| Shape | round ball to almost torpedo |