Duck Eggs: Everything You Need To Know

We answered the 15 most frequently asked questions to know when researching raising ducks. Learn all about the underrated duck egg, egg production, and nutritional profile.

1. Are they more nutritious than chicken eggs?

Generally, fresh ducks eggs are better than chicken eggs because they are packed with more vitamins, protein, peptides, and omega-3 fatty acids.

2. What do they taste like?

Ducks eggs taste like a more concentrated version of a chicken egg. Their higher fat content gives them a creamier, richer quality.

3. Are they safe to eat?

Yes! Like chicken eggs, duck eggs go through the same rigorous USDA regulations to ensure they are safe to consume and meet quality standards.

4. How do you cook them?

Cooking duck eggs is slightly different from chicken eggs. They need a low and slow approach otherwise, you’ll end up with rubbery results.

5. Are they good to bake with?

Professional bakers know the secret of baking with duck eggs is in the duck egg whites! They create stiffer peaks, fluffier cakes, and richer tasting baked goods.

6. Do I have to weigh them out for recipes?

We recommend weighing the yolk and whites unless you aren’t using a specific duck egg recipe like an omelet. Their larger yolks are bigger than even a large chicken egg, so you might throw off what the recipe calls for.

7. Do I have to wash them before using them?

If you are raising your own, yes, you’ll need to wash the eggshells with warm water. If you bought from a market (grocery store or local farmers market), most likely they have already been cleaned.

8. Why are duck eggs more expensive than chicken eggs?

It depends on the quality of chicken eggs you buy but generally, they are more expensive because there are not as many duck farms raising ducklings as there are chicken farms: supply and demand.

9. What does free-range eggs mean?

According to the USDA, free-range eggs means they must be able to roam vertically and horizontally and have access to an outdoor space.

10. How long do they stay fresh?

They’re thicker shells help to keep their contents fresh longer. If stored properly, fresh duck eggs have a much longer shelf life that can last about 2 weeks at room temperature, up to 6 weeks in the fridge and 1 year in the freezer.

11. Can I eat them if I have an egg allergy?

Yes, because a duck egg’s protein is different from a chicken egg. Please use caution and check with your doctor first before trying if you have a severe egg allergy.

12. Are they high in cholesterol?

Yes, but not the “bad cholesterol.” The average duck egg has 619 milligrams of cholesterol if you are keeping track of your intake.

13. Do ducks lay eggs that are all the same size?

Different breeds of ducks produce different sized eggs (we have three khaki campbells). The Pekinegg laying clocks in the largest of the typical backyard duck. The grade goes from medium, large, extra-large, jumbo to king-size.

14. Do they come in different colors?

Yes, duck eggs are typically white, but some breeds lay more colorful eggs such as brown, light blue, charcoal grey, and cream.

15. Does the shell color affect the taste of the egg?

No! The shell color has no role in the quality or taste of any egg. Egg colors vary based on the duck breed. Brown, white, cream, light blue...they are all the same on the inside.