Chicken Eggs vs. Duck Eggs

For many Americans, an egg or two in the morning is a classic breakfast staple. Whether they’re scrambled, over-easy, or mixed in with a quiche, most of the eggs we use come from chickens. And granted, chicken eggs are certainly nutritious and tasty. Nevertheless, more and more people are now discovering the benefits of duck eggs.

Chicken eggs and duck eggs share many similarities, but they also have specific characteristics that make them better suited for certain types of cooking. Here, we dig into the differences and similarities between chicken eggs and duck eggs to help you decide which are best for you.

Appearance

You can spot the differences between chicken eggs and duck eggs just by their appearance. Duck eggs are 50-100% larger than the average chicken egg, so you get more calories eating one duck egg than you do one chicken egg. A duck egg’s yolk is also bigger, and it tends to be a deeper shade of orange. Chicken eggs, meanwhile, are pale or bright yellow.

Taste

If you think you can swap a chicken egg for a duck egg in your recipe and not notice a difference, you’d be sorely mistaken. While both eggs taste similar, duck eggs tend to have a stronger, bolder flavor. Their yolks are also creamier, lending to their rich flavor.

Nutrition

As we said, duck eggs are bigger than chicken eggs. That means they will have more calories per egg than chicken eggs. Nevertheless, both eggs are healthy and nutritious. They are rich sources of protein and healthy fat, but low in carbs and fiber. Duck eggs have higher amounts of vitamin B12 and iron, while chicken eggs have greater amounts of protein.

Both chicken eggs and duck eggs are delicious and nutritious. It’s why many Americans are raising chickens and ducks to have their own supply of fresh eggs in the morning. If you’re looking to start your own backyard flock, look through our website or contact Chickens for Backyards with any questions!