Cornish Hen vs Duck: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Duck, 23.5 g, is higher in protein than Cornish hen, 22.3 g. Cornish hen, 259 calories, is higher in calories than duck, 201 calories.

Cornish hen and duck are both popular poultry options, each with distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison highlights their calorie, protein, and fat contents to help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Cornish Hen and Duck?

Cornish hen is a young chicken known for its tender meat and mild flavor. It is often roasted or grilled and is a popular choice for smaller servings. Duck is a waterfowl with rich, flavorful meat that is often enjoyed in various cuisines. It is commonly roasted, smoked, or used in confit dishes.

Cornish Hen vs Duck: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Cornish hen and duck to illustrate their nutritional differences.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Cornish hen (roasted)	Duck meat (roasted)
Calories	259 kcal	201 kcal
Protein	22.3 g	23.5 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	18.2 g	11.2 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	64 mg	65 mg

Which Is Better, Cornish Hen or Duck?

For weight loss: Duck has fewer calories at 201 compared to Cornish hen at 259 calories, making it a better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Duck provides more protein at 23.5 g, while Cornish hen offers 22.3 g, making duck the better option for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both Cornish hen and duck contain 0 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, making them suitable for low-carb or low-sugar diets.

How to Track Cornish hen and Duck Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easily misjudged, impacting dietary decisions. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, Cornish hen or duck?

Duck has more protein at 23.5 g compared to Cornish hen at 22.3 g.

Which has fewer calories, Cornish hen or duck?

Duck has fewer calories at 201 compared to Cornish hen at 259 calories.

What is the fat content in Cornish hen?

Cornish hen contains 18.2 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the fat content in duck?

Duck contains 11.2 g of fat per 100 g.

Do both Cornish hen and duck have carbs?

Both Cornish hen and duck contain 0 g of carbs.

What is the sodium content in Cornish hen?

Cornish hen has a sodium content of 64 mg per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Cornish hen: 259 calories per 100 g.
• Duck: 201 calories per 100 g.
• Cornish hen: 22.3 g protein per 100 g.
• Duck: 23.5 g protein per 100 g.
• Both contain 0 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar.
• Cornish hen: 18.2 g fat per 100 g, Duck: 11.2 g fat per 100 g.