Are duck eggs comparable to chicken eggs? Has the thought ever crossed your mind when you were thinking about getting chickens? Well, now you can find out the real difference between duck and chicken eggs and find out which one is better for you to use and eat.
In the beginning, when my mom first got chickens she also had the idea to get a pair of ducks. So eventually we did. So welcome to our homestead, where we raised ducks and continue to raise chickens.
In what ways do these duck eggs compare to chicken eggs in the terms of nutrition, taste, and preparation.
Duck Eggs Vs Chicken Eggs
Lets start off with size of each birds eggs. They are similar because they are both eggs, but duck eggs are much larger on the outside. This difference is much more apparent from in the inside of the egg as well, the yolk inside of the egg is much larger and sometimes more richer in flavor.
Besides looking at the size difference, the shells of duck eggs are tougher and thicker than chicken eggs. With this being said, it can make it much harder to get a clean crack. The shells have a “waxy” covering that protects them from water, since most ducks live near some type of body of water.
Duck eggs are mostly a white or off white coloring. Some breeds lay different color eggs depending on what they are.
Be prepared if you ever think of raising ducks. Their eggs will be dirty, since most ducks lay their eggs out of their coop, sometimes in not-so clean locations.
How Do Duck Eggs Taste?
From personal experience, duck eggs have a rich and creamier taste over chicken eggs. If you have been eating chicken eggs your whole life and have sensitive taste buds, you may not be up for this change.
In ways, these duck eggs are impacted by their diet. If they are fed healthy things then that will get transferred to you when you eat their eggs. Trust me when I say this, most people who eat duck eggs do not want to go back to eating chicken eggs.
Duck Eggs Lifespan
Since the shells are tougher, their eggs tend to last longer on the shelf rather than chicken eggs. You can keep duck eggs on your shelf for over a year if you wished too. In the summer it is best because of the heat.
Some people who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat duck eggs without having an allergic reaction. But do not eat anything unless you contact your doctor about it first.
Comparing Nutrition
Duck eggs tend to have a more nutrition level over chicken eggs.
Duck Eggs:
– Have a higher fat content (which is good)
– Higher in protein compared to chicken eggs
– More cholesterol (by a little bit)
– Contain more minerals and vitamins: Such as iron, B12 (Cobalamin-Vitamin), Folate & Vitamin A
– Full of fatty acids
– Calories: 130 – Fat: 10 grams – Protein 9 grams
Chicken Eggs:
– Calories: 70 – Fat: 5 grams – Protein: 6 grams
– Lower in cholesterol
– Lower in cost to buy
– Mild taste
– Shorter shelf life (especially when you rinse them)