Are Duck Eggs Bad For You?

[DesertBird]

My family was thinking about adding a few ducks to the flock, and we were thinking we'd get females so we could have eggs from them, too. Then today, it was mentioned to me by a family friend that duck eggs are bad for you? She told me that the doctor told her it was because they were more porous than a chicken's egg, they could absorb all kinds of diseases, and that her daughter got sick after eating a duck egg to the point of almost being hospitalized. It seems bogus to me, and that it only occurs due to the bloom (? Sorry, not familiar with the term! The outside protective layer, is what I mean. ) being washed off the egg right after it's collected and then they store the egg for a while.
What do y'all think? Is it true that they're at least worse for people than chicken eggs, or is it just duck eggs you'd buy from a store or something that have the bloom washed off?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I wash all my eggs, it's not an issue. Not cooking an egg through could cause troubles no matter the species. Also don't use dirty eggs. We don't currently eat our duck eggs but have in the past and I'm still kicking.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have been eating ducks eggs quite a while and still healthy. You maybe on to something about washing the bloom off and possibly bacteria got inside the egg. Just like when we collect and store chicken eggs we have to make sure to wash the egg before using.

Get some ducks there isn't anything better than baked goods made with duck eggs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I forgot to mention always wash in water hotter than the egg. Eggs washed in colder water can pull bacteria through the pores and into the egg. I wash mine under running hot water for a second or two, only rubbing any spots that need it.

 

[DesertBird]

I wash all my eggs, it's not an issue. Not cooking an egg through could cause troubles no matter the species. Also don't use dirty eggs. We don't currently eat our duck eggs but have in the past and I'm still kicking.

What do you consider dirty eggs? Just curious because my pullets occasionally get poop, dirt, etc. on the eggs, and I hope I'm not eating seeped-through chicken poop!

I have been eating ducks eggs quite a while and still healthy. You maybe on to something about washing the bloom off and possibly bacteria got inside the egg. Just like when we collect and store chicken eggs we have to make sure to wash the egg before using.

Get some ducks there isn't anything better than baked goods made with duck eggs.

I'm hoping that was it! I never wash my eggs until the moment I'm about to use them. Although with the rain in my area, the eggs do get a bit wet since it's usually raining in the morning - hoping I haven't eaten an egg that got something in it. And I bet! I've definitely noticed everything tastes better with my "home-grown" chicken eggs. I read somewhere duck eggs are healthier because they have more nutrients per ounce, so everything can only taste even better!

 

[DesertBird]

I forgot to mention always wash in water hotter than the egg. Eggs washed in colder water can pull bacteria through the pores and into the egg. I wash mine under running hot water for a second or two, only rubbing any spots that need it.

Good to know! I always wash 'em in warm water, but I'll probably turn the heat up a little more now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What do you consider dirty eggs? Just curious because my pullets occasionally get poop, dirt, etc. on the eggs, and I hope I'm not eating seeped-through chicken poop!



I'm hoping that was it! I never wash my eggs until the moment I'm about to use them. Although with the rain in my area, the eggs do get a bit wet since it's usually raining in the morning - hoping I haven't eaten an egg that got something in it. And I bet! I've definitely noticed everything tastes better with my "home-grown" chicken eggs. I read somewhere duck eggs are healthier because they have more nutrients per ounce, so everything can only taste even better!

I get so many eggs I can afford to be picky when it comes to choosing keepers. Generally if it's more that a dot, or smear, or is wet clumpy poop on the egg it goes back to the birds.

 

[Bluechick2u]

We love eating our duck eggs, we don't wash them until we're ready to crack them open. My husband loves fried duck eggs over easy, and our meatloaf seems to taste better with duck eggs! I admit, if I find a duck egg just sitting in mud or something wet, I throw it out just to be sure. I can't immagine that a properly stored egg would make anyone sick, Ive never, ever heard of that before, sounds like some facts are missing. Get some ducks! You'll love them and their eggs!

 

[Yukonn15]

I eat duck egg for breakfast very often. Love them fried over easy with toast, very creamy yolk. Also best for baking. I wash the dirty ones when I gather them or within a few days. Never had a problem.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

the facts you were given are definitely wrong. Duck eggs ARE safe to eat and even more nutritious than chicken eggs. (See article below).

Duck eggs are recommended by allergists for people who are allergic to chicken eggs as somehow the duck proteins trigger less problems. I personally know several families who keep ducks rather than chickens due to chicken egg allergies in the family.

Any egg handled or stored improperly can cause problems, however it wasn't due to the bloom being left on. The bloom is the protective coating on the egg, applied as the hen lays it, that protects it from spoiling (bacteria entering in through the pores of the shell). ALL eggs have shell pores as the chicks have to "breathe" in the egg (moisture and gasses transport through respiration in shell to remove body toxins).

Eggs that are washed need to be refrigerated immediately as the protective bloom has been washed off. In Europe it is illegal to wash eggs prior to sale as it removes the bloom. Eggs are also stored at room temperature in Europe. (An egg stored at normal room temperature can remain fresh up to 7 weeks on the counter with the bloom in tact.)

Don't use dirty eggs (fecal covered) wherein problems arise. Keep clean nests and collect frequently.

I have never heard of duck eggs being more subject to bacterial problems due to more porous shells. That simply isn't true. Duck eggs have better shelf life as their shells are thicker, not thinner or more porous.

Think about it. The duck hen lays the egg and then sits on them for 28 days to hatch. (A chicken takes only 21 days.) Ducks are in and out of water and around water. They build their nests close to water. The eggs simply have to have sufficient shell and bloom to protect from spoilage or we wouldn't have any wild ducks (or domesticated) in this world.

I've linked some articles below to help with the transition (it does take some tinkering to use duck eggs with baking as they are larger, have less water and more fat content).

So feel free to go get your ducks and eat those duck eggs.

LofMc
http://modernfarmer.com/2015/06/everything-you-need-to-know-about-duck-eggs/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/the-proscons-of-eating-duck-eggs-vs-chicken-eggs-zbcz1705