Chicken vs. Duck — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 9, 2024
Chicken is primarily a farmyard bird raised for meat and eggs, while duck is a waterfowl known for its aquatic abilities and distinct flavor.
Difference Between Chicken and Duck
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chicken is a domesticated fowl, widely popular for its meat and eggs, considered a staple in various cuisines worldwide. Chickens are raised in numerous farms and backyards, contributing significantly to global poultry production. Ducks, on the other hand, are known for their ability to live in both water and land. They are appreciated for their rich, flavorful meat and are a common feature in wetlands and water bodies.
While chickens are primarily bred for their meat and egg-laying capabilities, leading to a variety of specialized breeds, ducks are also valued for their down feathers, in addition to meat and eggs. Duck feathers are often used in high-quality bedding products.
In terms of diet, chickens are omnivores, consuming a mix of grains, seeds, insects, and even small mice. Ducks, whereas, have a more varied diet that can include aquatic plants, insects, fish, and small amphibians, thanks to their aquatic habitat.
The reproductive behavior of chickens involves the laying of eggs almost daily when conditions are optimal, without the need for water. Ducks, however, often prefer to lay their eggs near water bodies and may have slightly different laying patterns.
Social behavior also distinguishes these birds; chickens have a well-defined social structure known as a pecking order, while ducks are known for their sociable nature, often seen in flocks with less aggressive social dynamics.
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Comparison Chart
Habitat
Primarily terrestrial, farmyards
Aquatic and terrestrial, near water bodies
Purpose
Meat, eggs, some for show
Meat, eggs, down feathers
Diet
Omnivorous: grains, seeds, insects
Varied: aquatic plants, fish, insects
Reproduction
Frequent egg layers, no water needed
Prefer to lay near water, different patterns
Social Behavior
Pecking order, can be aggressive
Sociable, less defined hierarchy
Compare with Definitions
Chicken
Domesticated bird raised for meat and eggs.
The farmer has over a hundred chickens in his coop.
Duck
Waterfowl known for living in aquatic environments.
A group of ducks was seen swimming in the pond.
Chicken
Part of various cultural cuisines and dishes.
Chicken tikka masala is a popular dish in Indian cuisine.
Duck
Prized for its rich, flavorful meat.
Roast duck is a delicacy in many cultures.
Chicken
Can be found in different breeds for meat or egg production.
The Leghorn chicken is excellent for egg-laying.
Duck
Have a diverse diet including fish and aquatic plants.
Ducks at the lake often feed on small fish and algae.
Chicken
Raised in diverse environments, from small backyards to large farms.
They started raising chickens in their backyard for fresh eggs.
Duck
Ducks are also valued for their down feathers.
The down from ducks is used to fill quality bedding.
Chicken
Known for its ability to produce eggs frequently.
Their chicken lays an egg almost every day.
Duck
Social creatures often found in flocks.
A flock of ducks migrated south for the winter.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
Duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are also members of the same family.
Chicken
Cowardly
I was too chicken to go to court
Duck
A waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
Duck
A pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
Duck
An amphibious transport vehicle
Visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Duck
Dear; darling (used as an informal or affectionate form of address, especially among cockneys)
Where've yer been, ducks!
It's time you changed, my duck
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Duck
A strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails
Cotton duck
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Duck
A batsman's score of nought
He was out for a duck
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Duck
Lower the head or the body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen
Spectators ducked for cover
He ducked his head and entered
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Duck
Push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment
Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Duck
Refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons
Declarer ducked the opening spade lead
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Duck
A female duck.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
Duck
The flesh of a duck used as food.
Chicken
A coward.
Duck
(Slang) A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Duck
Often ducks (used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head or body.
Chicken
The game of dare.
Duck
A plunge under water.
Chicken
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the chicken (that is, the loser).
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
Duck
A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Duck
Ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white pants.
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Duck
An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
Chicken
Plural of chick
Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
Chicken
(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Duck
To evade; dodge
Duck responsibility.
Ducked the reporter's question.
Chicken
A young bird or fowl, esp. a young barnyard fowl.
Duck
To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.
Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
Chicken
The flesh of a chicken used for food
Duck
To lower the head or body.
Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
Ducked behind a bush.
Chicken
A person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Duck
To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
Duck out on one's family.
Chicken
Easily frightened
Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
Duck
(intransitive) To bow.
Duck
(transitive) To evade doing something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Duck
(caving) A cave passage containing water with low, or no, airspace.
Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Duck
(uncountable) The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
Duck
(slang) A playing card with the rank of two.
Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Duck
(US) A cairn used to mark a trail.
Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
Duck
Synonym of lame duck
Duck
(medicine) A long-necked medical urinal for men.
Duck
A faggot; a meatball made from offal.
Duck
A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.
Duck
(in plural) Trousers made of such material.
Duck
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
Duck
A pet; a darling.
Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Duck
The light clothes worn by sailors in hot climates.
Duck
Any bird of the subfamily Anatinæ, family Anatidæ.
Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Duck
To bow; to bob down; to move quickly with a downward motion.
Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
Duck
Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
Duck
(cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
Duck
Flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
Duck
A heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
Duck
To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
Duck
Submerge or plunge suddenly
Duck
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Common Curiosities
What's the main reason for raising chickens?
Chickens are primarily raised for their meat and eggs.
Are chicken eggs different from duck eggs?
Duck eggs are larger and have a richer taste compared to chicken eggs.
Why are ducks less common in backyards than chickens?
Ducks require access to water and are generally messier, making them less ideal for small-scale backyard farming.
How often do chickens lay eggs?
Many chicken breeds can lay an egg almost daily under optimal conditions.
Are ducks social animals?
Yes, ducks are known to be very sociable and often found in flocks.
Is duck meat considered healthier than chicken?
Duck meat is richer and has a higher fat content, which can be both a culinary advantage and a dietary consideration.
Can you use duck feathers for anything?
Duck feathers, particularly down, are highly valued for insulating bedding materials.
Can ducks live away from water?
Ducks prefer living near water but can adapt to land environments.
What do ducks eat?
Ducks have a varied diet that can include aquatic plants, fish, insects, and small amphibians.
How are duck eggs used in cooking?
Duck eggs are often used in baking and specialty dishes for their rich flavor.
Can both chickens and ducks be raised in the same area?
While possible, it requires careful management to accommodate their different needs, especially access to water for ducks.
Do chickens need a lot of space to live?
Chickens can adapt to various environments but thrive best with space to roam and forage.
Are there specific breeds of ducks favored for meat?
Yes, certain breeds like the Pekin duck are specifically raised for their meat quality.
What's a notable behavior difference between chickens and ducks?
Chickens have a defined pecking order, while ducks are generally more sociable and less aggressive.
What's the lifespan of a domesticated chicken compared to a duck?
Both can live for several years, but their lifespan can vary greatly depending on breed, care, and environment.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
