It’s a question I get asked all the time when people visit my farm stand: 'Why are duck eggs more expensive than chicken eggs?' And honestly, it’s a valid one! As someone that sells eggs and prides myself on fair pricing, I think it's important to be transparent. Especially when you see some places charging like $8 a dozen, it makes you wonder why the huge disparity. So, let's dive into the real reasons behind the price difference, and why we've chosen to keep our prices reasonable for our amazing loyal customers. First off, it's true, duck eggs naturally have a higher production cost. Ducks simply don't lay as many eggs as chickens do. While a good laying hen might give you an egg almost every day, ducks often lay fewer, and their laying cycles can be more seasonal or sporadic. This means less volume for the farmer to sell, which inherently drives up the per-egg cost compared to the abundant chicken egg supply. It's simple economics of supply and demand at the farm level. Then there’s the size and composition. Duck eggs are noticeably larger and heavier than chicken eggs, often by about 50%! They boast a richer, often more vibrant yolk and a thicker albumen (egg white). This unique composition makes them absolutely fantastic for baking, as they add incredible moisture, structure, and richness to cakes, custards, and pastries that chicken eggs just can't quite match. But producing a bigger, richer egg takes more resources from the duck, including more high-quality feed. Even with us buying high quality feed and free ranging quite a bit, our input costs per duck egg are still higher than for chicken eggs. Another factor is the market itself. Chicken eggs are a household staple, found everywhere from supermarkets to corner stores. Duck eggs, on the other hand, are more of a specialty or gourmet item. There’s a smaller, more discerning market for them, but usually, those who seek them out are willing to pay a premium for their unique qualities and benefits. This niche market means less large-scale, industrial production, which again contributes to higher prices due to less economy of scale. Now, about that "don't be greedy" philosophy. I truly believe that even with these inherent cost differences, it's possible to offer fair prices. We've managed to keep our egg prices stable for years, even though the cost of feed, bedding, and other farm supplies generally goes up. The only thing that occasionally shifts our pricing is needing to afford more cartons, which is why we offer a discount if you bring yours back! It's a small way to help both us and our customers. We haven't raised our prices beyond what's necessary to ensure our birds are healthy and happy, and that the farm can sustain itself ethically. We're making sure they pay for themselves, not just padding our pockets. The reason we have so many loyal customers that as soon as eggs come back is precisely because we haven't raised our prices unnecessarily. We believe in providing fresh, local, high-quality eggs without breaking the bank. So, while you might see others charging $8 a dozen for duck eggs – making you wonder 'fucking why', as the OCR text highlighted – know that it's possible to get great duck eggs at a more reasonable price if you find a local farmer who shares our 'don't be greedy' mindset. It's all about balancing the true cost of production with a genuine commitment to serving your community with delicious, ethically-produced eggs.