Why Duck Eggs?
Before Vince and I moved out of the city, we knew we were going to start a flock for fresh eggs. The decision to buy ducks instead of chickens was an easy one for us to make. With the primary drive being eggs not only for our consumption, but as a future product offering from our small farmstead, the Duck egg is simply superior. Let’s just jump right into it….
Why Duck Eggs are better than Chicken Eggs
I popped that infographic in for a quick summation, but I’m going to dive a little further into the details for the curious
More Nutritious
Duck eggs provide not only a higher ratio of healthy proteins and fats than chicken eggs, they are also (generally) much larger. They contain a higher yolk to white ratio. The weight of a single duck egg is typically 11% shell, 34% yolk, and 55% white, vs 10/32/58 in the average chicken egg. Don’t go saying yolks are bad for your cholesterol – it has been proven that dietary cholestoterol has very very little effect on blood cholesterol.
Duck eggs contain more necessary vitamins and minerals too – they boast a higher content of; Thiamin, riboflavin, B-6, Niacin, folate, b-12, vit A, Calcium, Iron, Magensium, Phosphorous, Zinc, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium, and has a higher Omega 3 fatty acid content.
Click here for In depth nutrition data on Duck Eggs and In depth nutrition of chicken eggs
Better Tasting
Duck eggs are…eggier. Their higher yolk content leads to a richer, more creamy flavor. This is a pretty marginal difference, in my opinion – it is most noticeable in a side by side comparison of eggs cooked in the same manner.
Longer Lasting
Duck eggs have noticeably thicker shells (and harder to pierce membranes) than chickens. This is probably because they are water fowl, and are more likely to be exposed to wet areas – more protection from bacteria and contaminants penetrating the shell and damaging an embryo.
Because of this, duck eggs stay fresh longer
Those who are allergic to common chicken eggs are likely to be able to consume duck eggs without problem
This is obviously a try at your own risk type of thing – but many find it to be true. Those who are allergic to regular chicken eggs are most often allergic to certain proteins in the eggwhite, not the yolk. Duck eggs have many of the same proteins, but in (sometimes drastically) different ratios. Read more about egg allergens here
The inverse, however, may also be true – those who have no problem with chicken eggs may have an intolerance or allergy to the different protein contents or structure of duck and other types of eggs. I’ll go into my experience in the last section….
Our free range, organic duck eggs are now available for local purchase in limited quantities
Most of our ducks lay white eggs, though the Cayugas lay eggs ranging in color from black to very pale grey. Their sizes range from Large to Jumbo, and will come as a mixed bag unless otherwise available and requested. Contact us at LivengoodIntegratives@gmail.com to inquire about availability. Pickup or delivery may be available in Colorado Springs and Fremont county.
The eggs weren’t the only reason why we chose ducks over chickens
After doing our research, we came to find that ducks are friendlier to our goals in regenerative agriculture and a low interference approach to land and animals
Why Ducks are Better Farmstead Animals….
Hardier and Healthier
Ducks and their young withstand lower temperatures, as well as gloomier weather more readily than chickens do. Our ducks LOVE rain and snow.
Their disease and parasite resistance is stronger, likely due to the fact that they like to bathe frequently – lice and mites don’t like to be waterlogged. Ducks reportedly have a significantly lower average mortality rate, with a longer production life.
Less Maintenance
This may be a toss up, while I do have to fill their pond for them when we don’t have irrigation water coming through, that water that they muck up and poop in is great for zero waste use on plants as a diluted fertilizer.
Chickens require more stewarding, they need more warmth provided, DE and dust baths to help keep away skin parasites, and injuries from breeding and disagreements between roosters can be pretty brutal.
Better for the Garden
Speaking of fertilizer, their poop can be used immediately in the garden. Chicken’s refuse need to be composted – it is too ‘hot’ to use in quantity directly, and can (chemical) burn plants and their roots systems.
Ducks also don’t scratch up everything like chickens are prone to.
Are there any cons to ducks?
Absolutely! Some people don’t want to deal with providing ducks the amount of water that they need to stay healthy and happy.
Some folks like blander eggs. Some are seeking absolutely the fewest calories they can consume.
Some people are intolerant or allergic to duck eggs, like me.
Throw you for a loop? Yeah, me too. I am intolerant (NOT allergic) to the eggs of Muscovies, and possibly to all ducks. After three trials to confirm that I am indeed riotously intolerant of eating the eggs that came from my two muscovy hens in any real quantity (that is, I can eat them in baked goods, but not in concentrations like an omelette) I have admittedly been too nervous to try eggs from my true ducks since they have started laying. .
I’ll update this when I’ve gotten up the gumption to try them
Muscovies are not true ducks. They are a separate species of waterfowl from central and south america that are very similar to ducks.
Despite this, I still recognize that duck eggs are superior, and will continue the flock. Vince loves their eggs (and the dogs do too)
Will I ever get chickens?
If you had asked me this question before I found out I was intolerant to Muscovy duck eggs, I would have said Hellllll no. But it is an option now. We will see if I can eat the other duck’s eggs first, but there may be a few chicken hens around herein the future.
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Posted: by Danielle
