A delicious alternative to chicken eggs, duck eggs have extra rich yolks and a unique flavor. . Learn the differences between duck and chicken eggs, whether you raise ducks for the eggs or just happen to find duck eggs at the store.
Chickens are the first animal you think of when you think of eggs, but more and more farmers are raising ducks. This begs the question: What's the difference between duck and chicken eggs?
Ducks are social animals, so you should keep at least three, but five or six is better. They can't tolerate confinement like chickens, which means duck eggs are always free-range. Since they're incredibly efficient foragers, the eggs get the benefits of wild herbs, grasses, and bugs.
Khaki Campbell ducks are among the best layers. They lay 320 to 340 eggs per year, or nearly one egg per day, year-round. In cold climates with short winter days, the total is more like 300 eggs per year because they pause a little longer in the coldest part of winter (but so do chickens).
Pekin ducks are usually bred for meat production but still lay about 200 eggs per year, starting in early spring and continuing well into fall.
The yolk is much more substantial and is great for French toast, pudding, and custard.
The whites of duck eggs have a higher protein content and therefore whip up to stiffer peaks than those of chicken eggs, which means they make excellent meringues and macaroons.
You can prepare duck eggs just like chicken eggs! They taste great scrambled, in custards, poached, or baked in a dessert.
Some breeds, such as Welsh Harlequin, Khaki Campbell and Silver Appleyard, lay more eggs per year than the most productive chicken breeds.
Chickens usually begin laying eggs between 18 and 22 weeks of age, and it's much the same with ducks. Ducks begin laying between 17 and 26 weeks of age, depending on the breed and the time of year.
Due to their ovaries' reduced need to be stimulated by light, ducks lay more eggs. They lay eggs all winter long without having to worry about the dark winter days causing them to slack off.
Chickens lay their maximum amount of eggs for one to two years. After that, their production decreases dramatically. Ducks lay well for three to four years and maintain full production about twice as long as most chicken breeds.
The color of the eggs depends on the breed of duck you're raising. The Cayuga duck is one of the most popular duck breeds that lays black-green or dark ash eggs. Sometimes the egg of a Cayuga duck is almost completely black.
Other breeds lay white or brown eggs. If you want a specific color, be sure to research all the duck egg colors before you buy.
Some differences between the two species will help you decide whether to keep chicks or ducklings for eggs.
So if you want to feed your family, ducks produce more eggs, and their eggs are larger, so they go farther.
(Be aware that ducks also consume twice as much food per day as chickens. So while they lay larger eggs more often, you'll also need to feed them twice as much when they're not free-ranging).
If your children are collecting the eggs, that will be very helpful. They're less likely to break if your kids drop one. Inevitably, that's what happens. Duck eggs almost bounce when dropped from a toddler's basket, which is only about three feet off the ground.
For example, duck eggs contain more healthy omega-3 fatty acids than chicken eggs, which promote heart health and reduce inflammation.
Pasture-raised ducks provide more vitamin D in their eggs. Everyone knows that vitamin D deficiency is far too common; vitamin D supports bone health, skin health, and mood. Ducks spend a lot of time outdoors, especially pasture-raised ducks,
Some sources say duck eggs contain more essential vitamins and minerals such as niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin A.
Because the eggs are more decadent, the whites are especially thick. They're excellent for poached or fried eggs. The eggs don't run as much, and the richness of the yolk makes for delicious waffles and custard.
Because duck eggs contain more protein and fat and less water, they're ideal for baking. Whether you want to bake cookies, bread, souffles, cakes, or meringues, duck eggs are the right choice.
Duck eggs have a more "eggy" flavor than chicken eggs, which makes them even more flavorful. Ultimately, it's the bird's diet, not the fact that it's a duck or a chicken, that leads to the different flavors.
Chickens seem to be the best foragers because everyone talks about "free-range chickens," but ducks are better foragers. The more time they spend in the grass looking for worms, bugs, and insects, the more eggy and "wild" the eggs taste.
On average, a duck egg contains 9 grams of protein, while a chicken egg contains 6 grams of protein.
The higher protein content is great for cooking. It makes the eggs easier to whip up and have a nicer consistency, unlike other eggs, such as goose eggs, which don't crack as well. With fried eggs, the egg whites provide a better crisp fried egg. This could also be because the yolks are larger, so you can cook duck eggs longer without cooking the yolks.
Because they contain different proteins, some people who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat duck eggs and vice versa.
However, the amount a duck will eat varies. Some duck owners say they feel they eat less than their chickens.
If you want to sell duck eggs, the extra cost is offset by the higher price per dozen duck eggs. For chefs, especially pastry chefs, it's harder to find them. And that is the reason they fetch a higher price.
Many chicken and duck farmers report that their duck eggs have a longer shelf life than chicken eggs.
They don't keep as long if you wash them or buy them from the store, so this only applies to fresh, unwashed duck eggs. However, you can preserve eggs in limewater to keep them for over a year.
Duck eggs are especially delicious in gluten-free recipes. The extra protein helps bind the ingredients, resulting in better texture in the dishes. Gluten-free dishes often have an unpleasant texture, but using duck eggs changes that.
The biggest difference in cooking with duck eggs is that you can't substitute them 1:1 in a recipe. Duck eggs are larger. So if a recipe calls for three chicken eggs, using two duck eggs would be the correct amount.
If for whatever reason, your duck egg is the average size of a chicken egg, you can safely substitute 1:1. The general recommendation is two duck eggs for every three chicken eggs.
Chickens are the first animal you think of when you think of eggs, but more and more farmers are raising ducks. This begs the question: What's the difference between duck and chicken eggs?
Ducks are social animals, so you should keep at least three, but five or six is better. They can't tolerate confinement like chickens, which means duck eggs are always free-range. Since they're incredibly efficient foragers, the eggs get the benefits of wild herbs, grasses, and bugs.
Duck egg basics
When you think of eggs, chickens immediately come to mind, but that's a shame because ducks are valuable animals for the backyard. They lay eggs regularly throughout the year, and their eggs are large and full of beneficial nutrients that can be enjoyed.Do ducks lay eggs?
Ducks lay eggs, just like chickens. The total number of eggs laid in a year depends on the breed, and some are more productive than others. (But then, so are chickens).Khaki Campbell ducks are among the best layers. They lay 320 to 340 eggs per year, or nearly one egg per day, year-round. In cold climates with short winter days, the total is more like 300 eggs per year because they pause a little longer in the coldest part of winter (but so do chickens).
Pekin ducks are usually bred for meat production but still lay about 200 eggs per year, starting in early spring and continuing well into fall.
Can I eat duck eggs?
Yes, of course, duck eggs are edible! They have a slightly stronger egg flavor and taste delicious cooked.The yolk is much more substantial and is great for French toast, pudding, and custard.
The whites of duck eggs have a higher protein content and therefore whip up to stiffer peaks than those of chicken eggs, which means they make excellent meringues and macaroons.
You can prepare duck eggs just like chicken eggs! They taste great scrambled, in custards, poached, or baked in a dessert.
How often do ducks lay eggs?
Ducks lay one egg per day, and don't worry: you don't need a male duck (a drake) for females to lay eggs. However, without a drake, the eggs aren't fertilized.Some breeds, such as Welsh Harlequin, Khaki Campbell and Silver Appleyard, lay more eggs per year than the most productive chicken breeds.
When do ducks lay eggs?
Like chickens, ducks usually lay their eggs in the morning hours, from dawn to about noon. This is true for most ducks, but often, as with chickens, there's an outlier that lays on its own schedule.Chickens usually begin laying eggs between 18 and 22 weeks of age, and it's much the same with ducks. Ducks begin laying between 17 and 26 weeks of age, depending on the breed and the time of year.
Do ducks lay eggs in the winter?
One difference is that ducks are better year-round layers than chickens. Their egg production continues through the winter without having to worry about extra light. So if you want consistent eggs, ducks should be at the top of your list.Due to their ovaries' reduced need to be stimulated by light, ducks lay more eggs. They lay eggs all winter long without having to worry about the dark winter days causing them to slack off.
How long do ducks lay eggs?
Another thing to consider is that ducks have a longer productive duration than chickens.Chickens lay their maximum amount of eggs for one to two years. After that, their production decreases dramatically. Ducks lay well for three to four years and maintain full production about twice as long as most chicken breeds.
What color eggs do ducks lay?
Ducks come in a variety of colors, but not as many as chickens. The colors of duck eggs are:- Greenish-blue eggs
- Cream or white
- Charcoal or black
The color of the eggs depends on the breed of duck you're raising. The Cayuga duck is one of the most popular duck breeds that lays black-green or dark ash eggs. Sometimes the egg of a Cayuga duck is almost completely black.
Other breeds lay white or brown eggs. If you want a specific color, be sure to research all the duck egg colors before you buy.
Duck eggs vs Chicken eggs
There is little difference in the appearance of the eggs laid by ducks and chickens. Duck eggs are generally much larger, but the shape is the same. In general, the taste is similar, although the yolk of ducks is richer.Some differences between the two species will help you decide whether to keep chicks or ducklings for eggs.
Duck eggs are larger
Most ducks lay eggs that are roughly 30% larger than a medium-sized chicken egg, and they're only slightly smaller than goose eggs. Ducks lay significantly larger eggs than chickens, and they lay an egg every day. Chickens sometimes take two days to lay a smaller egg.So if you want to feed your family, ducks produce more eggs, and their eggs are larger, so they go farther.
(Be aware that ducks also consume twice as much food per day as chickens. So while they lay larger eggs more often, you'll also need to feed them twice as much when they're not free-ranging).
Duck eggs have stronger shells
Duck eggs have a much more thicker shell than chicken eggs. The first time you try to crack an egg, you'll find you have to hit a little harder to succeed.If your children are collecting the eggs, that will be very helpful. They're less likely to break if your kids drop one. Inevitably, that's what happens. Duck eggs almost bounce when dropped from a toddler's basket, which is only about three feet off the ground.
Duck eggs have more nutrients
Chicken and duck eggs are undoubtedly good for you, but duck eggs are different.For example, duck eggs contain more healthy omega-3 fatty acids than chicken eggs, which promote heart health and reduce inflammation.
Pasture-raised ducks provide more vitamin D in their eggs. Everyone knows that vitamin D deficiency is far too common; vitamin D supports bone health, skin health, and mood. Ducks spend a lot of time outdoors, especially pasture-raised ducks,
Some sources say duck eggs contain more essential vitamins and minerals such as niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin A.
Duck eggs have richer yolks
Some of the best confectioners appreciate duck eggs because they have a higher fat content. They do have a higher calorie and cholesterol content than chicken eggs, but the yolks of duck eggs are much richer.Because the eggs are more decadent, the whites are especially thick. They're excellent for poached or fried eggs. The eggs don't run as much, and the richness of the yolk makes for delicious waffles and custard.
Because duck eggs contain more protein and fat and less water, they're ideal for baking. Whether you want to bake cookies, bread, souffles, cakes, or meringues, duck eggs are the right choice.
Duck eggs have a more "eggy" flavor than chicken eggs, which makes them even more flavorful. Ultimately, it's the bird's diet, not the fact that it's a duck or a chicken, that leads to the different flavors.
Chickens seem to be the best foragers because everyone talks about "free-range chickens," but ducks are better foragers. The more time they spend in the grass looking for worms, bugs, and insects, the more eggy and "wild" the eggs taste.
Duck egg whites have more protein
Another difference between duck eggs and chicken eggs is that duck eggs contain more protein than chicken eggs. They have about 30% more protein, but it's also a different type of protein.On average, a duck egg contains 9 grams of protein, while a chicken egg contains 6 grams of protein.
The higher protein content is great for cooking. It makes the eggs easier to whip up and have a nicer consistency, unlike other eggs, such as goose eggs, which don't crack as well. With fried eggs, the egg whites provide a better crisp fried egg. This could also be because the yolks are larger, so you can cook duck eggs longer without cooking the yolks.
Because they contain different proteins, some people who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat duck eggs and vice versa.
Duck eggs cost more
The higher cost of duck eggs is a reality. Ducks like to eat, sometimes twice as much as chickens, and they need some pasture or area to forage to reach their full potential.However, the amount a duck will eat varies. Some duck owners say they feel they eat less than their chickens.
If you want to sell duck eggs, the extra cost is offset by the higher price per dozen duck eggs. For chefs, especially pastry chefs, it's harder to find them. And that is the reason they fetch a higher price.
Duck eggs last longer (maybe)
Duck eggs' shells and inner membranes are both thicker than chicken eggs. It's thought that the shell is so thick because wild ducks lay their eggs near water and therefore need to protect them from moisture and mud.Many chicken and duck farmers report that their duck eggs have a longer shelf life than chicken eggs.
They don't keep as long if you wash them or buy them from the store, so this only applies to fresh, unwashed duck eggs. However, you can preserve eggs in limewater to keep them for over a year.
Cooking with duck eggs
Cooking with duck eggs is pretty simple, depending on what you want to prepare. Whether you want to make hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, or fried eggs, the process and method of preparation are the same.Duck eggs are especially delicious in gluten-free recipes. The extra protein helps bind the ingredients, resulting in better texture in the dishes. Gluten-free dishes often have an unpleasant texture, but using duck eggs changes that.
The biggest difference in cooking with duck eggs is that you can't substitute them 1:1 in a recipe. Duck eggs are larger. So if a recipe calls for three chicken eggs, using two duck eggs would be the correct amount.
If for whatever reason, your duck egg is the average size of a chicken egg, you can safely substitute 1:1. The general recommendation is two duck eggs for every three chicken eggs.
