Stardew Valley Ostrich Guide - Eggs, Incubation & Products
Ostriches are exotic barn animals introduced in Stardew Valley 1.5 as part of the Ginger Island update. They produce valuable Ostrich Eggs and occasionally drop Ostrich Feathers, making them a unique and profitable addition to your farm.
Requirements for Ostriches
Deluxe Barn
Ostriches can be housed in any level of Barn (Barn, Big Barn, or Deluxe Barn).
| Barn Level | Capacity | Animals | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barn | 4 | Cows | 6,000g |
| Big Barn | 8 | + Goats, Sheep | 12,000g |
| Deluxe Barn | 12 | + Pigs, Ostriches | 16,000g |
Ostrich Incubator
To hatch ostriches, you need an Ostrich Incubator:
- Recipe obtained from Professor Snail on Ginger Island
- Requires completing his fossil collection
- Can also be obtained as a reward from Island Field Office
How to Get Ostrich Eggs
Ginger Island Dig Sites
The primary way to find Ostrich Eggs is by digging at artifact spots on Ginger Island:
- Look for wiggling worms/artifact spots on the island
- Use your hoe to dig them up
- Ostrich Eggs have a chance to appear
Volcano Dungeon Chests
Ostrich Eggs can also be found in chests within the Volcano Dungeon on Ginger Island:
- Explore the dungeon floors thoroughly
- Open all chests you encounter
- Eggs are a rare but possible drop
Incubating Ostrich Eggs
Ostrich Incubator
Place an Ostrich Egg in the Ostrich Incubator to begin hatching:
| Condition | Incubation Time |
|---|---|
| Normal | ~9 days 10 hours |
| With Coopmaster Profession | ~4 days 18 hours |
Coopmaster Profession
The Coopmaster profession (Farming Level 10, Coop path) halves incubation time for all eggs, including Ostrich Eggs. This is highly recommended if you plan to raise multiple ostriches.
Hatching Process
- Place the Ostrich Egg in an Ostrich Incubator
- Wait for the incubation period (~9 days 10 hours, or ~4 days 18 hours with Coopmaster)
- A baby ostrich will hatch
- Baby ostriches take several days to mature into adults
Ostrich Products
Ostrich Eggs
Adult ostriches produce Ostrich Eggs approximately once per week:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Sell Price | 600g (base) |
| Quality Tiers | Normal, Silver, Gold, Iridium |
| Production | ~1 per week (if mood is good) |
Ostrich Egg in Mayonnaise Machine
Ostrich Eggs can be placed in a Mayonnaise Machine to produce 10 Mayonnaise at once:
| Input | Output | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ostrich Egg | 10 Mayonnaise | 1,900g (base) |
This makes Ostrich Eggs extremely valuable for artisan production.
Ostrich Feathers
Ostriches have a chance to drop Ostrich Feathers randomly:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Sell Price | 150g (base) |
| Use | Crafting, gifts |
Feathers are a less common drop but add extra value to keeping ostriches.
Ostrich Care
Daily Needs
Like all barn animals, ostriches require:
- Food: Hay or fresh grass daily
- Petting: Daily interaction for friendship
- Outside time: Let them outside on sunny days for mood boost
Friendship and Mood
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Feeding | +4 happiness |
| Petting | +15 friendship, +4 happiness |
| Outside (sunny) | +4 happiness |
| Not fed | -20 happiness |
Keep ostriches happy to ensure consistent Ostrich Egg production.
Profit Analysis
Ostrich vs Other Barn Animals
| Animal | Product | Base Value | Weekly Output | Weekly Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ostrich | Ostrich Egg | 600g | ~1 egg | 600g |
| Cow | Milk | 125g | ~7 milk | 875g |
| Goat | Goat Milk | 225g | ~3-4 milk | 675-900g |
| Sheep | Wool | 340g | ~2 wool | 680g |
| Pig | Truffle | 625g | Variable | Highly variable |
Artisan Processing Value
| Product | Processing | Output Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ostrich Egg | Mayonnaise Machine | 1,900g (10 mayo) |
| Milk | Cheese Press | 230g |
| Goat Milk | Cheese Press | 400g |
| Wool | Loom | 470g |
| Truffle | Oil Maker | 1,065g |
Ostrich Eggs shine when processed into Mayonnaise, providing excellent bulk production value.
Tips for Raising Ostriches
Getting Started
- Unlock Ginger Island by completing the Community Center or Joja Warehouse
- Build a Deluxe Barn on your main farm (or upgrade an existing barn)
- Complete Professor Snail”s fossil collection to get the Ostrich Incubator recipe
- Dig artifact spots on Ginger Island to find Ostrich Eggs
- Place eggs in the incubator and wait for hatching
Maximizing Production
- Keep ostriches at maximum happiness (feed, pet, and let outside daily)
- Choose the Coopmaster profession to halve incubation time
- Process all Ostrich Eggs into Mayonnaise for maximum profit
- Consider keeping multiple ostriches for consistent weekly output
Farm Layout
- Dedicate space in your Deluxe Barn for ostriches
- Ensure barn has an Auto-Grabber (50 Qi Gems) for automatic collection
- Consider an Auto-Petter (20 Qi Gems) to maintain happiness effortlessly
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ostriches be bought from Marnie? No, ostriches cannot be purchased. You must find Ostrich Eggs and incubate them.
Can ostriches live in the Big Barn? No, ostriches require a Deluxe Barn.
How many ostriches can I have? Up to 12 per Deluxe Barn, or multiple Deluxe Barns for more.
Do ostriches produce in winter? Yes, like all barn animals, ostriches produce year-round if kept fed and happy.
Can Ostrich Eggs be used in cooking? Ostrich Eggs function like regular eggs in recipes but are best used for Mayonnaise production.
Do ostriches need a special incubator? Yes, they require the Ostrich Incubator, not the regular incubator used for chickens and ducks.
Can I get Ostrich Eggs from the Traveling Cart? No, Ostrich Eggs are not sold by the Traveling Cart. You must find them on Ginger Island.
Summary
Ostriches are a unique and valuable addition to any late-game farm in Stardew Valley. While they require significant investment (Deluxe Barn, Ginger Island access, Ostrich Incubator), their Ostrich Eggs produce 10 Mayonnaise at once, making them highly profitable. Focus on finding eggs through Ginger Island dig sites and Volcano Dungeon chests, incubate them with the Coopmaster profession for faster hatching, and process all eggs into Mayonnaise for maximum profit.