Duck Eggs vs Chicken Eggs: What’s the Difference?

Learn all about duck egg nutrition, including the nutritional value and health benefits of duck eggs and potential concerns, and find delicious recipes to put your duck eggs to use!

Duck Eggs vs Chicken Eggs: What’s the Difference?

When most people reference eggs, they’re talking about chicken eggs. After all, they’re the most common variety of eggs eaten and sold, particularly in the United States. However, there are several different eggs that can be bought and consumed including chicken eggs, quail eggs, ostrich eggs, caviar (fish eggs), goose eggs, and duck eggs.

Of course, each kind of egg comes from a different animal, but they all also have different nutritional values and flavors. When it comes to duck and chicken eggs, obviously one comes from a duck and the other from a chicken, but those aren’t the only differences.

Duck eggs are also much larger than chicken eggs. As a result, they contain more fat, cholesterol, protein, and calories. They also have a richer taste and a creamier texture, particularly when scrambled. Some duck breeds to have smaller eggs, like Call Ducks for example.

When shopping, you’ll notice that duck eggs come in a wider variety of colors than chicken eggs including grey, light green, brown, speckled, brown, and almost black. While the color of the shell doesn’t impact the flavor of the egg, it is thicker than a standard chicken eggshell.

Once cracked, duck egg yolks are nearly twice the size of chicken egg yolks, and the whites are much brighter. That said, duck eggs are often cooked in many of the same ways as chicken eggs, though the two are not easily confused for one another.

Duck Egg Nutrition

Like chicken eggs, duck eggs are an excellent source of protein and nutrients. However, duck eggs are slightly more nutritious than chicken eggs, largely due to their bigger size as the average duck egg weighs 2.5 ounces while the average chicken egg weighs 1.8 ounces. That said when compared ounce for ounce, duck eggs still come out ahead.

For instance, duck eggs are an excellent source of nutrients including:

High-quality, complete protein
Healthy omega fats
Vitamin B12
Selenium
Riboflavin
Iron
Vitamin D
Choline (a vitamin-like nutrient essential for brain health)

They’re also extremely low in carbs and provide antioxidants through carotenoids.

Health Benefits of Duck Eggs

As a result of the high nutritional value of a duck egg, they offer immense health benefits. For example:

Carotenoids help protect DNA from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Choline helps promote a healthy brain, neurotransmitters, and nervous systems.
The white part of the egg provides a good amount of protein, which can help build muscle and maintain a healthy weight. However, it also contains antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which prevent infections.
Duck eggs may also help improve eye health.

Potential Concerns

While they’re highly nutritious, it is important to note that the consumption of duck eggs can pose health concerns for some. These concerns include:

Allergies – Eggs pose a common allergy threat due to their protein. Symptoms often include rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Food Safety – If not cooked properly or not stored correctly, eggs of all kinds can pose a threat of salmonella infection.

Of course, always be sure to cook your eggs thoroughly, and consult a doctor if you have any specific questions or concerns!

Ways to Use Duck Eggs

As mentioned, you can cook duck eggs in pretty much all the same ways you would cook chicken eggs. This includes methods like scrambled, over-easy, soft-boiled, and poached. Or, you can use them in recipes like:

Duck Eggs vs Chicken Eggs: What’s the Difference?