Chicken eggs are arguably the most consumed eggs globally. Of course, they are good, healthy, and common. But for nutritional reasons, some people may prefer duck eggs. In this article, we will be comparing Chicken eggs vs duck eggs to know which is better and healthier.
To have a deeper understanding of chicken eggs vs duck eggs, let’s analyze them individually. We will look at their size, nutritional benefits, incubation period, and some other relevant information about these eggs.
Chicken Eggs
Chicken eggs are an important component of our diets. It’s a source of protein, fats, and other important nutrients the body needs to function well. These eggs contain two-thirds albumen (white) and one-third yolk (yellow).
Interestingly, the yolk is rich in lipids, vitamins, minerals, and, more importantly, carotenoid pigments. And the diet of your hen determines the color of the yolk. That’s why most farmers feed their hens with natural supplements like marigold petals so that their eggs will have brighter yolks.
Contrary to popular belief, the color of eggshells doesn’t determine its nutritional value. It’s just an indication of the hen breed. It doesn’t matter whether your hen lays brown, white, blue, or green eggshell; the nutritional value remains the same.
Furthermore, hens require less nesting space to lay eggs and don’t have strong mothering instincts like duck or turkey. That’s why chicken eggs are common because the collection process is easier.
Generally, white eggs are more popular than brown eggs in the market. Again, this has nothing to do with their nutritional value. But it’s because chicken breeds that produce white eggs are smaller and require less food to produce the same number of eggs their brown egg laying cousins are producing. So, it’s cost-effective for chicken farmers to produce more white eggs than brown eggs.
Duck Eggs
Remember, we are still comparing chicken eggs vs duck eggs. But we can’t compare these two eggs if we don’t discuss them individually. So, let’s have a quick overview of duck eggs.
It’s quite funny that people give more attention to chicken eggs in the United States. Yet, duck eggs are exceptional treats and a richer version of chicken eggs. They are bigger, have richer yolks, a higher concentration of nutrients, etc. The list is endless.
Just like chicken, duck eggs come in different colors depending on the breed. For instance, the Cayuga duck (a blackish green duck breed) lays more ash-colored eggs in shades of grey. Similarly, other breeds lay white, light green, and brown eggs. So, the color of duck eggs has nothing to do with its nutritional value. It depends on the breed laying the eggs.
Again, most people get addicted to duck eggs whenever they eat them for the first time. This is because of their large, golden, creamy yolk with extra eggy-flavor.
Now that we have an overview of both eggs let’s compare chicken eggs vs duck eggs in terms of size, nutrition, and other factors. Ready? Let’s do this.
Chicken Eggs Vs Duck Eggs, Which is Better?
Size
Duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs, but they vary in size. However, most duck eggs are about 50 percent larger than the standard chicken eggs.
Again, duck eggs shells are thicker and more difficult to crack. That explains why they have a longer shelf life than chicken eggs.
Nutritional Value
Duck eggs have higher nutritional value than chicken eggs. Since they have larger yolks, they tend to be richer in fats and cholesterol. According to experts, duck eggs have a higher concentration of omega- fatty acids and protein.
So, if you are a paleo dieter who seeks high-fat foods, duck eggs should be part of your dietary component.
But they also have a similar nutritional profile to chicken eggs. For instance, they are rich in vitamin B12, an essential vitamin that helps with blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and healthy nerve formation.
Incubation Period
The incubation period is another area to compare chicken eggs vs duck eggs. On Average, it takes 21 days to incubate or hatch a chicken egg. However, duck eggs take between 28 to 35 days to hatch depending on the breed.
For instance, eggs from common Pekins ducks incubate in 28 days, while other eggs may take 35 days to hatch.
Bottomline
Both chicken and duck eggs are healthy and nutritious. However, duck eggs taste better and have richer flavor and fattier texture. They provide your body with the needed antioxidant and other essential compounds to help your body function optimally.