How to Store Duck Eggs (Step-by-Step Guide)

Many people these days are learning about the appeal of using duck eggs in their cooking and baking. Duck eggs have a much richer flavor and texture than chicken eggs and they are also higher in nutrition.

However, if you’ve never used duck eggs before, you might not be entirely familiar with how to store them correctly. This guide will explain exactly how duck eggs should be stored and how long you can store them for safely.

How to Store Fresh Duck Eggs that You’ve Collected from Your Own Ducks

Here’s exactly what you need to do after you’ve collected the eggs from your own ducks.

Step 1 – Collect the eggs fresh

It’s important to collect the eggs as soon as they have been laid. This means that they are as fresh as they’re ever going to be.

Ideally, you want to collect the eggs early in the morning on a daily basis, just like you would collect chicken eggs.

Step 2 – Wipe the eggs

There’s no need to wash fresh duck eggs that you’ve just collected. Washing the eggs will remove the protective mucus that coats the shells and means that they won’t last as long.

Just give them a bit of a wipe-over with a dry cloth or a piece of paper towel.

Step 3 – Put the eggs in the refrigerator

Once you’ve wiped the outside of the eggs, place them carefully in a suitable container or carton. Duck egg shells are somewhat thicker than chicken eggs so they are a little more robust and not as easy to break.

Place the container with the duck eggs in the refrigerator. If the eggs are fresh and you haven’t washed them, they should keep in your refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

It’s important to note that duck eggs should be stored with the pointed end down. This effectively helps to keep the air pocket that is inside the egg away from the yolk. Once again, this will prolong the shelf life of your duck eggs.

It’s also recommended that you keep your duck eggs on a shelf inside your refrigerator rather than on the door. This is because popping them on a shelf will ensure that they are kept at a constant cold temperature. Eggs kept in the door of your refrigerator will experience a temperature change every time the door is opened.

How do You Check if the Eggs Have Gone Bad?

Checking the freshness of your duck eggs is just the same as checking whether chicken eggs have gone bad or not – by floating them in water.

Here’s what to do:

  • Fill your sink or a large glass jar with water.
  • Place the eggs in the water one by one and observe what happens.
  • If the egg sinks to the bottom and lays on its side, it’s still fresh.
  • If the egg still sinks but stands on one end, it is starting to lose its freshness because some gas has started to accumulate in one of the ends. These eggs are still fine to use in baking but they should be used straight away.
  • If the egg floats to the top of the water, it has gone bad and should be thrown away.

Why you Should not Wash your Duck Eggs

In general, ducks are not quite as clean as chickens and they will tend to lay their eggs just about anywhere that they please. This often means that the eggs will be covered with mud and even duck poop.

However, you should not wash those dirty duck eggs before storing them. This is because they have a special coating that is commonly referred to as a cuticle or a bloom. This outer coating protects the outside of the shell and stops air and bacteria from getting through. Essentially, this helps to keep the duck eggs fresher for longer.

Once you wash the eggs, you’ll remove that protective coating and the eggs will deteriorate at a faster rate as the air gets in through the pores in the shell.

Therefore, you should just use a dry cloth or piece of paper towel to wipe around the outside of each egg.

If you do want to wash the eggs, do so just before you use them. Use warm water instead of cold because the cold water will encourage bacteria to enter the shell. Never soak your eggs in water because will allow the eggs to absorb any contaminants that may be present in the water.

Make sure that you never use any type of chemical detergent to wash the eggs because these can also leach through the shell into the egg itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can duck eggs be stored at room temperature?

You can store duck eggs at room temperature for around 2 weeks but they will keep fresh for much longer if you put them in the refrigerator. It’s important to remember not to wash them first, though.

How do you know if duck eggs are still good?

The best way to test duck eggs is to place them into a tall jar of water and observe what happens. If they sink to the bottom, they’re good to use. But, if they float to the top, then they’ve gone bad and should be thrown out.

Why are duck eggs not often sold in stores?

Duck egg production is not viable on a large scale. This is because ducks can be sporadic in regards to when and how often they lay their eggs.

Which is healthier, a chicken or a duck egg?

Duck eggs are far more nutritious than chicken eggs. They contain a larger amount of omega-3 fatty acids, more antioxidants, and around fifty percent more vitamin A.

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