How Much Do Duck Eggs Cost?

Last Updated on February 21, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

If you are a culinary adventurer and especially an avid egg consumer, you have probably noticed the presence of duck eggs on restaurant menus, on the shelves of large stores, and on the list of local sellers. Duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs by 50% and contain a much larger and creamier yolk that many people love because of its intense taste. Also, compared to the chicken egg, even the shell is completely different and can have a variety of colors from pale blue and greenish blue, to gray and occasionally white.

How Much Do Duck Eggs Cost?

Be prepared to pay anywhere between $8 and $12  per dozen of incubated duck eggs. The cost would be anywhere between $2 and $5 for each duck egg for hatching. However, in areas where there is a surplus, the prices may drop to $ 3to $5 per egg. The prices for rare breeds, on the other hand, can be rather high. Expect to pay around $55 for a dozen duck eggs of a rare breed. The cost of duck eggs depends on various factors such as the duck species, the time of the year, the size of the egg, and the place you buy it from.

If you are purchasing duck eggs instead of chicken eggs for eating, then the costs would be anywhere between $5 and $15 per dozen eggs, depending on different factors.

For example, Salmon Creek Ranch in Bodega, California sells jumbo duck eggs at $ 12 a dozen, while the Local Harvest sells one medium duck egg at $2, and large and jumbo duck eggs at $2.5 each.

In the table below you will find the average costs of different types of duck eggs.

Duck eggs overview

Duck eggs are usually larger than chicken eggs. They vary a bit in size but are usually about 50 percent larger than the standard chicken egg. They can come in all kinds of colors, varying mostly by breed. The Cayuga duck, a popular blackish-green duck breed, tends to lay gray eggs. Other breeds will lay white eggs, light green eggs, or brown eggs.

Duck egg is one of the few foods that provide the body with alkaline substances, necessary for cancer patients. But it is also beneficial in preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and muscular dystrophy. It is also a suitable food for strengthening the nervous system and regulating hormones. It also stimulates the body’s defense system, improves metabolism and blood quality, prevents the onset and development of anemia, etc.

You might also like our articles on the cost of Ostrich eggs, Cornish Game hens, or becoming a vegan.

This food is rich in folic acid, which is why it is recommended for women, especially pregnant women. It has a beneficial effect on the formation of red blood cells. It has been scientifically proven that duck eggs have a beneficial effect not only on the proper functioning of organs and systems but also on mental mood.

Duck egg vs. chicken eggs nutrition

Duck eggs have not too different nutritional values to chicken eggs and quail eggs. But, being larger, duck eggs are richer in proteins, fats, and cholesterol. In contrast, duck eggs contain more Omega-3 fatty acids.

The higher content of macronutrients makes duck eggs richer in calories.

For example, a cooked duck egg (70 g) has approximately 156 calories, while a chicken egg (60 g) has only 91 calories.

Duck Eggs Cost

What are the additional costs?

In case you purchase fresh duck eggs online, you should be prepared to pay shipping fees.

Important things to consider

Duck eggs are appreciated in gastronomy both for their size and for the taste of the yolk. If we were to compare duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, although they have a taste similar to chicken, the duck egg yolk has a more intense aroma and a creamier consistency.

You can eat duck eggs the same way you would eat chicken eggs – hard-boiled, scrambled, baked. To boil them well, put them in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Bring them to a boil over high heat. Once they come to a boil, turn off the heat, cover them, and let them sit for 12 minutes. Cool them by plunging them into ice water.

It is recommended to wash the eggs and to consume them boiled because ducks like and live in moist spaces where the Salmonella bacteria develop. Ducks lay eggs in contaminated water and soil, which can also be present in their eggs. By boiling, however, dangerous bacteria are destroyed, and duck eggs are much more nutritious for the body.

How can I save money?

You may be able to save on duck eggs if you buy them from a local duck farmer. In general, farm fresh eggs are considerably less expensive than grocery stores.

Also, the more you purchase at once, the more you can save.

Duck Egg FAQs

Where can I buy duck eggs and are duck eggs more expensive?

If you live near a rural area or know people who raise ducks for egg production, try purchasing them this way. Expect a higher price than for chicken eggs, and if you go to a store, be prepared to pay even more. Want to pay less? It’s simple, start breeding ducks, and then you can even sell duck eggs.

How do I cook duck eggs?

Cooking with duck eggs it’s made the same way when you use chicken eggs. Because they have a lower water content, be careful when frying duck eggs, as you can burn them very easily. Duck eggs are fluffier, which is why people prefer them for cakes and pastries, bread,  creams, fruit tarts, biscuits, omelettes and soufflés.

Do duck and chicken eggs taste the same?

Not really. Some people describe duck eggs as creamier. Some people say that the flavor is stronger, while others that it is lighter. The strength of the flavor generally depends on the ducks’ diet since ducks tend to scratch up dirt for grub and eat small fish from deep water.

Is it true that duck eggs do not contain cholesterol?

No, that’s not true. Regardless of the bird, the yolk of the egg contains cholesterol. Duck eggs have 3 times more cholesterol than chicken eggs. If you prefer duck eggs for eating but are very careful about what you eat, we recommend that you cook an omelet from one duck egg and the white of two other duck eggs. Duck eggs are not recommended for small children.