Our ducks started laying eggs and before I ate the duck eggs, I decided to find out how duck eggs compare to chicken eggs. I was pleasantly surprised by what I learned and very pleased with the experience of eating the duck eggs for the first time.
Here are some pictures of my beautiful Cayuga Ducks.
Cayuga ducks lay black to gray colored eggs. They started out very black and then gradually got lighter, turning to a lighter gray.
Taste of Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
I was somewhat reluctant to try the duck eggs, for some reason, I assumed they would have a gamey taste and a different texture. The duck eggs tasted really good. I am a big egg yolk fan, the yolk is by far my favorite part of the egg. The duck egg yolk in my fried egg tasted even better than a chicken egg. They taste creamier and have a richer yolk and less watery than chicken eggs. I have also had duck eggs scrambled and those tasted very good also.
Difference in Outside Appearance of Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
The main difference in outside appearance is that duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs. They are usually about 50 percent larger and like eating one and half to two chicken eggs.
Duck eggs do not come in as many colors as chicken eggs. Mainly white eggs and then also various shades of gray, green, black and blue. Like chickens the color of the egg depends on the breed of duck.
Duck eggs have a thicker shell than that of a chicken egg and harder to break.
Here are some pictures of my Cayuga eggs, black and gray.
Difference in Appearance of Yolks and Whites of Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
Duck egg yolk looks different than chicken eggs. Below are raw eggs I broke in a bowl from my duck egg and a hen’s egg. Chicken yolks are either a pale or dark yellow, while the yolk of a duck egg is a deep shade of orange. Duck egg whites tend to be nearly transparent, lacking the slight yellowish tint chicken egg whites have. Duck eggs have a lower water content.
Calories in Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
Duck eggs contain an average of 130 calories compared to 80 calories for a large chicken egg.
Protein Content of Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
Duck eggs contain almost twice as much protein as chicken eggs. The average duck egg contains 9 grams of protein compared to 5 grams of protein for chicken eggs. Duck egg whites are less watery than chicken eggs which allows them to contain more protein.
The protein in duck eggs is actually different than the protein in chicken eggs. Many people that are allergic to chicken eggs are not allergic to duck eggs.
Fat and Cholesterol in Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
Duck eggs have a higher fat content than chicken eggs, containing about 9.6 grams of fat on average compared to 5 grams of fat for chicken eggs. Fat from eggs is considered a good fat. The cholesterol levels in a duck egg is also more than in a chicken egg. An average duck egg contains averages about 600 mg cholesterol which an average chicken egg contains about 200 mg cholesterol.
Vitamin and Minerals in Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
Duck eggs contain more Omega-3, Vitamins A, B12 and D, fatty acids, choline, folate, riboflavin, selenium and iron than chicken eggs.
Duck eggs contain 71 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids compared to 37 for chickens. They contain 472 UI Vitamin A compared to 244 UI for chicken eggs, 2.7 mg of iron compared to .9 mg for chicken eggs. Duck eggs contain 184 mg of Choline which is great for the brain health, nervous system and liver health compared to 126 per chicken egg. Duck eggs provide up to 168 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin B12 compared to 21 percent from chicken eggs. Vitamin B12 keeps your brain and nervous system healthy and can help prevent heart disease.
Duck eggs contain 56 mcg of folate per duck egg vs. 23 mcg per chicken egg. Folate is essential for DNA creation and cell division and is recommended for pregnant women to reduce the risk of neural tube tube defects.
Ducks tend to forage and free range more than chickens, especially in relation to eggs bought at the grocery store, and that is one reason farm-fresh duck eggs are so good and good for you.
Baking and Cooking with Duck Eggs Compared to Chicken Eggs
Because duck eggs contain more fat and protein and less water than chicken eggs, and have more yolk than duck eggs, they usually produce fluffier cakes, lighter bread, and higher meringues. Since they are larger, you have to account for that in cooking. The general rule of thumb would be to use two duck eggs per three chicken eggs.
Duck eggs can be fried, scrambled, poached, and made into a hard-boiled egg in the same way that a chicken egg is cooked. Duck eggs may require a longer cooking time than chicken eggs since they are larger.
Duck Egg Production Compared to Chicken Eggs
Ducks lay better year round than chickens, they need less light to lay and they continue to lay through the winter months without added light. They also like dark, wet days more than chickens.
Ducks also lay longer and will lay eggs for about four to five years compared to chickens two to three years of good production.
Summary
In summary, duck eggs are different than chicken eggs. They are a larger size, have a richer taste, a more creamy yolk, a much larger yolk, and more nutritional value. You can cook them like a chicken egg and use them in baking, but they are somewhat different used in baking and you need to account for the size in recipes. Duck eggs have a larger fat content, more cholesterol and protein, but some of that is based on the type of eggs and the size. Also if someone has egg allergies, the allergy may just be to chicken eggs and they can still eat duck eggs!
Both duck and chicken eggs are important sources of nutrition and provide many health benefits and essential nutrients. I am glad I have my own farm-fresh eggs, both duck and chicken!
For more of my posts about raising chickens, ducks and a peacock and about other homestead-type activities, such as gardening, canning, and favorite recipes, go to my website at www.HawkPointHomestead.com. For updates, please follow my Facebook page at Hawk Point Hobby Homestead.
