Finding and Using Void Eggs in Stardew Valley

The Void Egg is one of the more mysterious animal products in Stardew Valley, distinguished by its jet-black shell and glowing red flecks. Unlike standard white or brown chicken eggs, the Void Egg carries an aura of late-game progression and arcane secrets. It serves as the gateway to raising Void Chickens, fulfilling high-level quests, and producing profitable artisan goods. In recent updates, its properties have shifted, making it a poisonous consumable but an even more essential item for completionists dealing with new neighbors in the Secret Woods.

Acquisition Methods for the Void Egg

Obtaining the first Void Egg is often a matter of luck or significant financial investment. There are several reliable and semi-random ways to secure this item, ranging from early-game shop purchases to late-night supernatural encounters.

The Witch Event

The most iconic way to receive a Void Egg is through a random overnight event involving the Witch. This event can trigger as long as there is a Big Coop or a Deluxe Coop on the farm that is not currently full. While the farmer sleeps, a cutscene may play showing a witch flying over the coop and casting a spell. The following morning, a single Void Egg will be found inside.

This event is entirely based on chance, but maintaining an open slot in a high-tier coop is the only prerequisite. It is important to note that the presence of a Wicked Statue inside the coop will prevent the Witch from visiting, which is useful for players who want to avoid her changing their Slimes in a Slime Hutch but might be counterproductive for those hunting for their first black egg.

Purchasing from Krobus

For players who prefer a guaranteed method over waiting for a random event, Krobus offers Void Eggs for sale in the Sewers. Krobus is a friendly monster who resides in the underground tunnels of Pelican Town. To access his shop, the Rusty Key must be obtained from Gunther at the Museum after donating 60 items.

Krobus sells Void Eggs for 5,000g each. While this price is steep compared to the selling price of the egg, it is the most consistent way to begin a Void Chicken empire. Since Krobus’s inventory for the egg is always available, players can purchase it at any time once the Sewers are unlocked.

The Traveling Cart and Other Sources

Occasionally, the Traveling Cart that appears in Cindersap Forest on Fridays and Sundays will stock a Void Egg. The price fluctuates wildly, typically ranging between 195g and 1,000g. This is much cheaper than Krobus’s price, but the stock is randomized, so it cannot be relied upon for a quick acquisition.

Furthermore, players who choose to marry Shane may receive a Void Egg as a gift on rainy days. This reflects his affinity for chickens and his somewhat gloomy aesthetic. Additionally, late-game players who maintain a Void Salmon fish pond will find that once the population reaches 9 or 10, the fish have a daily chance to produce a Void Egg as a pond drop. This creates a self-sustaining cycle for those who enjoy aquaculture.

Raising Void Chickens

Once a Void Egg is acquired, the most logical next step is to hatch it. This requires a Big Coop or a Deluxe Coop, both of which come equipped with an incubator.

Hatching Process

Placing a Void Egg into the incubator starts a waiting period of approximately 5.5 days (or 11,000 minutes in-game). If the player has the Coopmaster profession, this time is halved. Once hatched, the Void Chick takes three nights to mature into a Void Chicken.

Void Chickens are identical to regular chickens in terms of maintenance. They require daily feeding—either through fresh grass outside or hay in the feeding bench—and daily petting to increase friendship levels. A happy, well-fed Void Chicken will produce one Void Egg every morning. Unlike regular chickens, Void Chickens do not produce "Large" versions of their eggs; the quality (Normal, Silver, Gold, or Iridium) is the only variable, which is determined by the bird's happiness and the player's Farming level.

Economic Viability

A base-level Void Egg sells for 65g, which is slightly more than a small white egg (50g) but less than a large white egg (95g). Because Void Chickens never produce a "large" variant, their raw output value is generally lower than that of high-friendship regular chickens. However, the true value of the Void Chicken lies in the artisan goods it enables.

Artisan Goods: Void Mayonnaise

Processed Void Eggs become Void Mayonnaise when placed in a Mayonnaise Machine. The process takes 3 hours. Void Mayonnaise is a thick, black paste that smells like burnt hair, but despite its unappealing description, it is a valuable commodity.

Profit Margins

The base sell price for Void Mayonnaise is 275g. With the Artisan profession, this value increases to 385g. This is significantly higher than regular mayonnaise (190g) and even gold-quality regular mayonnaise (285g). For players focused on maximizing coop profits without the need for the high-maintenance requirements of Gold Eggs or Ostrich Eggs, a shed full of Mayonnaise Machines dedicated to Void Eggs is a very stable source of daily income.

The Goblin Problem Quest

Void Mayonnaise is a critical quest item. In the "Goblin Problem" quest, which is part of the Wizard’s questline to recover his Magic Ink, a Henchman blocks the path to the Witch’s Swamp. The only way to bypass this guard is to offer him a bribe.

Information found in lost library books suggests that Goblins love the taste of Void Mayonnaise. Giving a jar of Void Mayonnaise to the Henchman will cause him to leave his post, granting the player access to the Witch’s Hut. It is highly recommended to have a Void Egg or a jar of mayonnaise ready before starting this quest to avoid back-and-forth travel.

Consuming and Gifting Void Eggs

In terms of consumption, the Void Egg has undergone changes in recent game updates. It is no longer a viable food source for the farmer. Consuming a Void Egg will result in a significant loss of energy and health, effectively acting as a poison. This change emphasizes its supernatural and "unholy" nature.

Gifting Preferences

Most villagers in Pelican Town find the Void Egg repulsive. Almost everyone "dislikes" or "hates" receiving one as a gift. However, there are two notable exceptions:

1. Sebastian: As someone who enjoys a darker aesthetic and spends much of his time in his basement, Sebastian "loves" Void Eggs. It is one of the easiest ways to build friendship with him if you are already running a coop.
2. Krobus: Since he sells them, it is no surprise that he also loves receiving them. Gifting a Void Egg to Krobus is a great way to unlock his higher-heart events and eventually obtain the Stardrop he sells.

Interestingly, while most people hate the egg, the reactions to Void Mayonnaise are slightly different. While still generally disliked, it remains a loved gift for Krobus. Most other villagers will react with disgust, often commenting on the foul smell.

Cooking and Recipes

Despite its poisonous nature when eaten raw, the Void Egg can be used as a substitute for regular eggs in any cooking recipe. This is particularly useful if a player has converted their entire coop to Void Chickens and lacks standard eggs for kitchen needs.

Some of the recipes that can utilize a Void Egg include:

• Fried Egg: A simple dish that restores energy when cooked, despite the base ingredient being harmful raw.
• Omelet: Combines an egg with milk for a decent health boost.
• Pink Cake: A high-tier gift and energy food that requires one egg.
• Chocolate Cake: Another popular gift item.
• Cookie: Used in various friendship events.
• Crab Cakes: Offers a significant speed and defense buff.

Using Void Eggs in cooking does not impart any negative status effects to the finished dish. The heat of the stove apparently neutralizes whatever properties make the raw egg toxic.

Tailoring and Dyeing

For players interested in the aesthetic side of farm life, the Void Egg serves as a unique resource for the Sewing Machine, located in Emily’s house.

• Creating Clothing: Using a Void Egg in the spool of the Sewing Machine with a piece of Cloth will create the Void Shirt. This is a black shirt with a red symbol that matches the aesthetic of the egg itself.
• Dyeing: The Void Egg acts as a strong black dye. When used in the dye pots or directly in the Sewing Machine, it can turn dyeable clothing items to the darkest available shade of black.

Late Game Utility: The Raccoon Requests

In the more recent expansions to the valley (Version 1.6 and beyond), a family of Raccoons may take up residence in the Giant Stump in the Cindersap Forest. These Raccoons will make various requests for seasonal items and artisan goods in exchange for unique rewards like seeds or books.

One of the possible requests involves delivering a specific number of eggs, and Void Eggs are often accepted or specifically requested as part of these bundles. Keeping a small chest of Void Eggs is advisable for those looking to complete all Raccoon requests quickly, as they often ask for a variety of animal products that might not be in season or currently produced on the farm.

Strategic Comparisons: Void vs. Regular Chickens

When deciding whether to fill a coop with Void Chickens, it is helpful to look at the long-term efficiency.

While regular chickens can eventually produce more expensive raw eggs if their friendship is high, Void Chickens have a higher "floor" for profit. You don't need a "large" version to get the maximum value out of the mayonnaise machine. This makes Void Chickens a lower-maintenance option for players who don't want to pet their animals every single day but still want to maintain a high income from their artisan machines.

Summary of Best Practices

To make the most of Void Eggs, a balanced approach is usually best.

First, secure an egg as early as possible through Krobus or the Witch. Hatching it should be the priority to ensure a daily supply. Once a steady stream of eggs is available, the majority should be converted into Void Mayonnaise for profit. A small reserve of 5-10 eggs should be kept in a chest for unexpected Raccoon requests, tailoring needs, or quick gifts for Sebastian and Krobus.

Finally, for players focused on late-game optimization, consider the synergy between Void Salmon ponds and Void Chickens. The fish pond provides a passive way to gain eggs without taking up coop space, allowing that space to be used for even higher-value animals like Golden Chickens or Dinosaurs.

Whether used as a bribe for a grumpy goblin or as the foundation of a goth-themed farm aesthetic, the Void Egg remains a versatile and essential component of the Stardew Valley experience.