You have ducks and they lay eggs, but are duck eggs good to eat? Are you considering getting ducks to eat the eggs? Or maybe you want to grow your duck flock? If so, this article is for you!
Duck eggs are often touted as being healthier than chicken eggs, and many people also believe that they are tastier.
These eggs are prevalent in Europe, and for centuries they were a staple food here. There is evidence of the consumption of duck eggs as early as Roman times.
You can use duck eggs in many recipes to replace chicken eggs, but they have some unique qualities that make them more beneficial than chicken eggs in certain aspects.
For example, Their egg whites are richer and creamier than their chicken counterparts, making them perfect for making meringue or angel food cake because the air bubbles stay intact better.
The yolks are also thicker and orange-tinted with an intense flavor – they taste great on toast or in your favorite baked goods!
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about duck eggs, duck egg nutrition, duck eggs vs chicken eggs, duck egg recipes, and more.
All About Duck Eggs: Good, Bad, & Ugly
The first thing you need to know about raising ducks for eggs is that, of course, the eggs are larger.
If you’re interested in raising ducks to sell their eggs, that can often mean a higher asking price – of course; this will depend on the marketability for duck eggs in your area.
If people around you aren’t fond of duck eggs, you probably aren’t going to have an easy time selling them.
Ducks are, in some ways, easier to raise than chickens. They aren’t as sensitive to various respiratory diseases and are quite low maintenance.
You’ll still need a decently-sized home, water, and food, but you don’t need roosting bars. After all, ducks sleep on the ground.
They also nest here – so while you don’t need to build nesting boxes (a “pro”), you are probably going to have a harder time finding the eggs (a “con”).
Duck Eggs Size and Appearance
Duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs. Although they vary in size by breed (as is the case with chickens), they tend to be around 50% larger than the standard jumbo-grade chicken egg.
A small duck egg might weigh around 1.55 ounces, while a jumbo will tip the scales at 2.5 ounces.
They can be found in all kinds of colors, too – again, a trait that varies by breed.
While Cayuga ducks lay eggs in various shades of grey (from pale grey all the way up to a practically black egg!) Others lay eggs that can be brown, white, or even light green.
The real difference between duck and chicken eggs is the shell. They have a tough, robust shell.
Although it can be a harder shell to crack, this kind of shell’s benefit is that it lends a longer shelf life to the egg.
The inside of the egg is quite different, too. A duck egg has a white that is partially transparent, and the yolk is much larger than that of a chicken yolk.
Are Duck Eggs Good For You?
Duck eggs are prized for their exceptional nutritional value. Although these eggs are higher in fat and cholesterol than chicken eggs – likely due to the larger yolk – they are also higher in protein.
Duck eggs have a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids but are otherwise similar to chicken eggs’ nutritional profile.
Duck Eggs Nutrition vs. Chicken Eggs
Here’s a quick nutritional breakdown of duck eggs vs chicken eggs:
- Protein: 9 g (chickens have 5 g)
- Iron: 2.7 mg (chickens have .9 mg)
- Vitamin A: 472 IU (chickens have 244 IU)
- Folate: 56 mcg (chickens have 23 mcg)
- Choline: 184 mg (chickens have 126 mg)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 72 mg (37 mg in chickens)
It is also important to note that duck egg whites have a different kind of protein than chicken eggs.
Because of this, many people who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat duck eggs.
Of course, you should run this by your doctor before experimenting!
Duck Egg Nutrition Benefits
Omega 3s for Mental Health
It’s no secret that the overwhelming amount of science states omega 3 fatty acids are great for overall brain health. The great news is that duck eggs have plenty of omega 3s!
Your brain uses these fats for performing any tasks that require focus for extended periods of time. It’s also shown that it may help with dealing with stress in general. Start adding these to your daily breakfast! I personally, eat eggs every day.
B Vitamins Skin Health
B Vitamins are mainly known for energy and stress management, but some new studies show it may also play a part in overall skin health.
Fortunately, duck eggs have been shown to have all the B vitamins you need for your daily energy support and have healthy-looking skin!
Protein Builds Muscle
Duck eggs have 9 grams of protein per egg! That’s almost 20 grams of protein for a two egg breakfast! Now protein isn’t just for meatheads.
Protein is important for everyday life. Protein promotes muscle growth and prevents muscle atrophy which tends to happen when we get older.
This means ladies don’t be afraid to add duck eggs or any eggs for that matter with your morning coffee!
Comparing Ducks to Chickens
Of course, ducks eat a lot more food than chickens do – and they can also be quite messy. They are quite fond of splashing their water every which way, and you will need to plan for this.
As with chickens, it is unnecessary to keep a drake (male) with hens (female) to get eggs. If you plan on incubating your eggs to raise ducklings, then, of course, you will need a drake. You’ll need about one drake for every nine or ten hens.
Ducks lay their first eggs at around the same time as chickens – sometimes earlier. The average laying time for a female duck is around 16-24 weeks, while for chickens, it’s a bit later, around 18 to 24 weeks (though, of course, this varies, for both species, with the breed).
The good news about raising ducks for eggs, compared to chickens? They lay a lot longer. The average duck will have a productive life of around two or three years.
Ducks are highly resistant to parasites and disease and require less sunlight to be productive layers.
The Best Egg Laying Duck Breeds
If you’re thinking about raising ducks for eggs, consider the following breeds.
Khaki Campbell
The Khaki Campbell is, by far, one of the most popular breeds of ducks you can raise for eggs.
These attractive ducks lay up to 340 eggs per year – almost as many as you would get from chickens!
Welsh Harlequin
Welsh Harlequins are not common – they can be tough to find in most areas since they’re listed as endangered.
Typically raised as meat birds, they can also be quite broached, making them a good choice for egg producers. They lay up to 300 eggs each year.
Runner
Runner ducks are classic duck breeds, laying around 300 eggs per year. They are relatively easy to find for sale at local hatcheries.
Buff
Buff ducks are often raised for meat, growing up to eight pounds at maturity.
However, you can also raise Buff ducks for eggs – the typical Buff duck will give you around 200 eggs each year.
Magpie
Magpies also aren’t the most common ducks you’ll find, but if you do, you’re in luck.
These ducks are absolutely gorgeous and lay up to 290 eggs each year.
Ancona
Ancones are easy to find at most hatcheries and lay up to 240 eggs per year.
Although that’s not record-breaking, by any means, Anconas are reliable and hardy birds.
Do Duck Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?
The short answer to this question is that no, they do not need to be refrigerated.
Duck eggs are laid with a practically invisible coating, known as the “bloom” or “cuticle.”
This coating helps to protect the egg so that bacteria and air cannot get inside. It will also help keep the egg fresher longer.
However, when you wash the egg, this layer is removed. So as long as you don’t wash your eggs until right before you cook with them, you can safely keep them at room temperature.
Once you wash your eggs, though, get them into the fridge – and keep them there. You should not leave eggs out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Once refrigerated, duck eggs last more than six weeks – significantly longer than chicken eggs last, in fact!
How Long Do Duck Eggs Last?
It depends on two things, where you got them, and if you leave the duck eggs out or put them in the refrigerator.
If you bought them from a farmer’s market, there’s a chance they have been cleaned. Go ahead and put them in the refrigerator.
Let’s say you have farm-fresh duck eggs, then you can leave them out OR refrigerate them. If left out, they last about 3 weeks or so, compared to 3-4 months if kept refrigerated.
Similar to chicken eggs, they have what is called an egg bloom. It is a biofilm that protects the egg from bacteria.
If you choose to leave them out, make sure to not wash the eggs unless you are about to eat them. Washing them removes the bloom, making the eggs susceptible to spoiling unless refrigerated.
Why Are Duck Eggs Not Sold in Stores?
Duck eggs can be somewhat expensive. While a dozen chicken eggs will run you around $2 to $4, duck eggs usually go for around $6 to $12 per carton.
Why is that?
The simple explanation is that duck eggs are larger and cost more money to produce. However, it can also be difficult to find these eggs sold in stores.
While many high-end grocery stores, like Whole Foods, sell duck eggs, you aren’t likely to find them at the local bargain supermarket down the road.
There isn’t as much demand for duck eggs as there is for chicken eggs, so it doesn’t make sense for most retailers to keep them in stock.
With more specialty and health food stores beginning to keep these tasty treats in stock, that is changing.
The good news? You can often find these big beautiful eggs at the local farmer’s market, too.
Even if you don’t see them for sale here, you can always ask a local farmer near you who happens to raise ducks if he might be willing to part with some of his eggs for a fee.
Some people worry that duck eggs are not as safe as chicken eggs. Fortunately, that’s not the case. As with chicken eggs, there have been some outbreaks of salmonella with duck eggs, but nothing is evidencing that duck eggs are less safe than chicken eggs.
Follow the same guidelines for buying and storing your duck eggs as you would go for chicken eggs, and you should be just fine.
How to Cook with Duck Eggs
Many cooks and bakers love duck eggs, sometimes more so than chicken eggs, for their many uses in the kitchen.
The good news about duck eggs? You can do nothing with a chicken egg that you can’t do with a duck egg. However, there are many ways to take your cooking and bake up a notch with this awesome egg.
These eggs are fatter and larger than chicken eggs, so they fry, poach, and boil well. You can even scramble them! They are perfect for baking, too, lending baked goods a fluffy, savory consistency.
When you bake with duck eggs, you’ll be rewarded with cakes that are light and fluffy, cookies that are moist and chewy, and gluten-free recipes that have a better, lighter texture than the dense blends you might be used to. They are also a fixture in recipes for things like homemade ice cream and custards!
Duck eggs are staples in many Asian cuisines, like Vietnamese and Chinese recipes. Many of these recipes call for duck eggs to be salted, often sitting in brine or cure to alter their texture and make them as delicious as can be.
Cooking Measurements are Different Than Chicken Eggs
One thing worth noting when you are cooking with duck eggs – if you are frying or hard-boiling them, you will need to take a bit of extra care. Ducks have less water content in their eggs than chickens, so you will need to avoid overcooking them, which can lend them a rubbery texture. You may have to play around with your recipe a bit.
When you are cooking or baking with these eggs, remember that you can’t usually do a one-to-one conversion with the two. You’ll need to adjust the recipe slightly, not only because the duck eggs taste a bit different but also because they have a different consistency.
Duck eggs can be harder to whip up and, depending on the duck’s diet that laid the eggs, can have drastically different tastes between individual eggs.
Plus, it can take a bit of practice when it comes to cracking this egg. Since the shell is thicker, it can be harder to crack – so you’ll need a bit of expertise to avoid getting eggshells into the bowl!
Most Importantly – How Do Duck Eggs Taste?
Duck eggs are delicious! They taste like chicken eggs – but taken up a notch. They have an intense flavor, a flavor that does vary some based on the duck’s diet.
Why Don’t We Use Duck Eggs?
Duck eggs are perfectly safe to eat, so why don’t we use them or see much of them anymore? Let’s jump back several decades.
During World War II there was a salmonella outbreak that supposedly was linked to duck eggs.
After it was all said and done, their popularity died out completely and never recovered.
Duck Eggs: Final Thoughts
Duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, which do you choose? They’re both great and duck eggs are an awesome alternative.
A breakdown of duck egg nutrition shows that they are about twice the chicken eggs size and contain more protein, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids than a regular egg.
As far as the bird, ducks are not challenging to raise and can be a perfect alternative (or accompaniment!) to raising chickens.
The only downside is that ducks don’t produce as many eggs per year as chickens because they lay slightly less often.
You will have to adjust your recipes when cooking with duck eggs, but trust us – the result is worth it!
That being said, if you’re considering raising ducks for eggs, there’s no better time than the present to consider doing so. These eggs are delicious, nutritious, and worth every penny!
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