Chicken Eggs vs. Duck Eggs: The Ultimate Showdown
Updated: Nov 26
Get ready for the ultimate matchup in the egg world: duck egg vs. chicken egg! Are you team chicken or team duck? We’ve raised both on our acreage, and I have a lot of thoughts about that! As you know, the chickens won out for me. However, there are people I know that swear by duck eggs. I think it really boils down to your preferences and desires. I fell in love with chickens. The ducks, I could live without.
My Brief Experience with Ducks
Last year, I wrote about
How to Add Ducks or Geese to Your Flock. While it was fun for a season, I couldn’t deal with the mess of ducks. Maybe I didn’t have the right setup for them, or maybe they intimidated me a little bit. Either way, this blog post is to compare and contrast chicken and duck eggs.
Now, I’m no expert in duck eggs, and to be honest, I didn’t do much cooking or baking with them when we had ducks. So, I’ve gathered some great info from
The Free Range Life, which lays out the comparisons and differences between these two eggs.
Egg Production: Who Lays More?
Let’s start with the number of eggs each bird lays per year. While it depends on the breed, the average duck can lay up to 300 eggs a year, while the average chicken will lay up to 250. Most birds won’t lay quite that many, and production also depends on factors like breed and winter light.
Size & Nutritional Differences in Chicken Egg vs. Duck Egg
Duck eggs are noticeably larger than chicken eggs. When cooking, you can use 2 duck eggs in place of 3 chicken eggs. Nutritionally, duck eggs are higher in omega-3s and protein. They also have a thicker shell, which gives them a longer shelf life. Ducks apply a waxy waterproof layer called a bloom to their eggs, which protects them since they’re near water. Chickens also have a
bloom, but it’s not waterproof. For both eggs, if you wash the protective layer off, you need to refrigerate them.
Taste and Texture: Creamier or Fluffier?
When it comes to taste, some people say duck eggs are creamier and richer due to their higher fat content. They’re particularly popular with bakers! Using duck eggs in baking often results in higher, fluffier treats thanks to their larger egg whites, which provide more protein and give baked goods a lighter texture
Why Duck Eggs Are Harder to Find
Duck eggs are harder to come by because they’re not raised commercially as much as chicken eggs. If you’re interested in trying them, find a local farmer or homesteader who raises ducks. It’s always fun to try something new!
Why I Stick with Chickens
Ducks are amazing birds, and nothing is cuter than a duckling! We’ve had some fun ducks, but I always come back to my chickens. Their personalities bring something special to our backyard. So, for me? If I have to use 3 chicken eggs instead of 2 duck eggs, it’s totally worth it! Haha!
