Interestingly, turkey hens will usually stop laying eggs when they reach around 18 months old, regardless of whether or not they are still being bred. If you rear chickens and ducks, then you know they do the same all the time. Its not easy to predict how many eggs will hatch. Turkeys are an agricultural bird that typically lives for around 10 years. An average turkey breeder female will lay 100-130 eggs per laying cycle. Exactly how many eggs they lay mainly depends on the breed. When a hen is stressed, she might lay a lighter shade of brown, or the color might be dotted with white. A female turkey will lay 1 egg per day. Learning all of this new information about turkey eggs might have you wondering: why dont we eat turkey eggs? Whats more, every part of the turkey seems meant for consumption. Royal Palm turkeys are named for their distinctive black and white coloring, which resembles the colors of a royal palm tree. Chickens, on average, begin to lay eggs after 5 months, whereas turkeys take about 7 months. This is another reason it isnt as economical to keep a turkey flock for its egg production. First Home Eggs Adopt-an-Egg Hatch a Long. Generally, though, chickens start to lay eggs at about 6 months of age and can lay an average of 5 eggs per week, or about 260 eggs per year. Turkeys have one feature. The survival rate of turkey eggs varies, but domestic turkeys are safe from predators, so almost all turkey eggs will hatch a baby turkey. Once the turkey breeder female reaches 28 weeks of age they will start laying. The age at which turkeys stop laying eggs depends on their breed. Without fertilization, no egg can hatch. Do turkeys lay eggs without a male? His motivating forces are his wife and 5 beautiful children. This behavior is presumably done to prevent predators from taking the eggs, as sitting on an egg provides protection from all sides. Just like most poultry birds, turkeys do lay eggs. Quail Breeding Business: You can also start quail breeding business, supply day old chicks or fertilized eggs. The Blue Slate Turkey is a large bird that typically weighs between 18 and 30 pounds. Turkeys naturally breed in March or April and start constructing their nests at around the same time. Turkeys mature at around 5 to 6 months which is when the females start to lay eggs. Early in the,season the clutch of eggs will generally be larger before they go broody. The cost of a turkey egg is higher than most other types because the farmer who raises them has to pay more for feed and shelter. Among them, the Bourbon Red comes out as the one that lays the most eggs. Terms of Service. However, few people would be ready to purchase turkey eggs at a higher price, especially in comparison to chicken eggs. It is very variable and depends on whether they were broody or not and how much they have been disturbed. The hen lays only one egg each day, so if she lays 14 eggs it takes two full weeks to lay the entire clutch. There are a few reasons why turkey eggs arent as common as chicken eggs, the main reason being economical. But the fact remains, unless you hunt turkey, you probably dont think about them as much in the springtime. Only then will the turkey go broody and sit on her eggs. After mating in April and incubating eggs in May, turkeys are now hatching chicks and rearing broods of young poults in June. We have discovered however that most turkeys dont fit this pattern. Synchronous Hatching A turkey hen lays one clutch of eggs per year, these clutches can as small as four to as large as 17 eggs per nest (that's a big clutch and that's cool fact #1)! However, each of them only lays one clutch of eggs per year. They usually begin to lay around the age of 7 months. Hi! Eggs are huge, light to medium brown in color. This means they will lay between 10-12 eggs in about two weeks to fill their nest. A post shared by Little Cottage on the Farm (@littlecottageonthefarm). Some folks reported they had waited 5-7 months before any eggs appeared. Each breed lays a certain number of eggs. This chicken breed lays brown eggs, although the shade can vary from layer to layer. The Royal Palm turkey can lay around 100 eggs per year, or two eggs per week. Notably, a turkey egg contains more than twice as much cholesterol (933 milligrams vs. 372 milligrams) as a chicken egg. Depending on snow conditions, annual and geographical variations in movement may occur. Usually, a female turkey will lay a clutch of eggs in each production cycle. The moment a female turkey is old enough to lay eggs, she starts preparing a nest. When turkeys lay eggs without a male however, they are not fertile and cannot be incubated. They just dont do so consistently. They can be eaten and used for all kinds of cooking as they are quite nutritious, but they wont hatch even if they placed in an incubator or an hen sits on it. Here is a video showing how we programmed our incubator for the turkeys eggs. Many people keep turkeys as domestic birds. When in their lifetime they stop laying eggs, however, is a little unclear. However, under no circumstances, including, but not limited to, negligence, shall thegardenmagazine.com be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this website. However, turkey eggs are significantly larger than chicken eggs - sometimes up to twice as large. Turkeys get a lot of their nutrients from the eggs they lay. During that time the turkey will lay 12-18 eggs and then sit on them. Some Merriams migrate from the Rocky Mountains foothills to higher elevations in the summer for breeding and nesting, then return to the lower elevations in the winter. Royal Palm turkeys, also known as American Royal Palms, are a beautiful breed of turkey that is highly valued for their unique appearance, gentle temperament, and excellent egg-laying abilities. The easy answer is that turkey eggs are more costly than chicken eggs to produce due to the long life cycle of turkeys, which results in the fact that they dont start producing eggs until theyre about seven months old. The female will raise her chicks from a day old to 4 or 5 months. Goulds turkey has received the least amount of research and, as a result, has the least amount of information available about it. A mature female turkey can lay from 8 to 15 eggs in a single clutch. In southern Florida, however, turkeys gobble during warm spells in January, several weeks before mating. A female can abandon a nest early because of imminent danger in the area. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Predators like snakes, skunks, foxes, weasels, raccoons, and coyotes love eggs. It can be a bit of a late starter, so don't expect your eggs at 18-20 weeks. How many eggs does a Guinea hen lay in a year? As you can guess by the animals size, turkey eggs are pretty large. As a result, commercial quail farmer keep their layer quail for one year. There are so many factors that contribute to the lower life expectancy of a wild turkey. You can expect around 60 percent of the total egg production in the first 13 weeks. But there are mothers, record holders, able to carry and sit out up to 220 pieces. Wild turkeys take longer to lay eggs than domesticated turkeys, which lay one egg per day. The eggs are automatically collected daily, transported to the hatchery, and stored at 55-65 F and 70% . If you collect their eggs they will continue. Turkeys typically lay a clutch of eggs before becoming broody; however, if their eggs are picked daily and the turkeys are not allowed to nest, they will continue to lay eggs every week without becoming broody. Turkeys want to stay near the nest when eating, especially in the wild. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Generally, a 2-year-old turkey will lay around 12 eggs per day, while a 5-year-old bird will lay up to 20 eggs. Many people believe that they are not good for you because of the high amount of cholesterol and saturated fat that they contain. However, the chances are slim that many people would trade in their chicken eggs for turkey eggs every morning. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' know. They typically lay eggs between February and April and do so every year. Turkeys usually lay a clutch of eggs and then go broody, if their eggs are picked everyday however and the turkeys are not allowed to nest, they will continue to lay eggs every week without going broody. I was excited about raising my own birds for eggs and their meat, but I was really nervous the first time I turned on the Hey, I'm Sam! They lay just two or three eggs a week which is few compared to chickens that lay everyday. So why dont we eat turkey eggs? It takes a female between 24 and 32 hours to produce a fertile egg. How many eggs does a turkey lay before she sits on them. A new egg is taken into the house. Turkey eggs are not as profitable as chicken eggs for a few reasons. The most times that turkeys lay a full batch of eggs to hatch will only be once per year. Its just more profitable to fertilize the turkey eggs to produce more turkey meat which is heavily consumed. For hunters, spring marks the beginning of the "turkey year" so let's trace turkey activity through the year beginning in the spring. They usually begin to lay around the age of 7 months. Theyre willing to sit on their eggs for an extended period of time. For example, heritage turkeys such as the Broad Breasted White turkeys typically continue to lay eggs until they are at least five years old. Quails lay eggs almost daily, they can lay about 300 eggs yearly. This is why female turkeys wait until spring to start laying their eggs. This is why farmers typically replace their hens every year or two. Turkeys take their time maturing and laying eggs. Should a frog lay eggs two or more times per season, it will lay fewer eggs than it did the first time. Another factor is the environment. Their distinctive coloration comes from a grayish-blue slate color, which gives them a regal and elegant look. You should ensure that it eats very well during this period and has everything it needs to have a comfortable incubation period. At this time, mating activities are high and the male turkeys put on splendid displays and fights. They also have a longer roosting time, at 28 days, versus a chickens 21 days. How long does a turkey sit on her eggs? (Photo: Rick Pilot), Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign, Sophie Suggests: What to Watch this Winter, Forest Journal: Birdfeeders Attracting More Than Birds This Winter, 100+ Acres in Allenstown Protected Forever Thanks to Trowbridge-Bonk Family & Forest Society Supporters. Make sure to share your new turkey facts with the table for this years Thanksgiving dinner! For the most part, turkeys can be considered seasonal layers. In fact, this isnt an unusual occurrence. . Just like other poultry birds, they do lay eggs. Not to mention, they know where to set the best nest to keep the eggs safe. This question can be difficult to answer, as it depends on the age and weight of the turkey. Allowing a broody hen to raise her young is an incredible sight to behold. That said, the survival rate of turkey eggs is a crucial point to understand. Nor does thegardenmagazine.com warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of the information provided on this website and any material available from it in terms of its correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise. But broodiness is dependant on the hen. 281. Mother hens scratch out a shallow depression in the ground to lay eggs in. Turkey eggs are bigger than chickens and contain nutrients in more quantities. link to Quail Diet 101: Everything Quail Can and Cant Eat, link to Get Excellent Quail Hatch Rates Every Single Time, Starting at seven months until about seven years of age, Usually through April to June, although some outlier turkeys have a larger laying window. These predators eat everything from the egg of the turkey to an adult bird. When a turkey finally starts laying, it lays about two eggs a week, compared to one hen's egg a day. Some researchers believe that the birds do not need a male to produce eggs, but other experts say that there must be some kind of interaction between the two sexes in order for fertilization to take place. Hunting turkeys takes place from early spring when mating season starts. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in heritage breeds like the Narragansett turkey, both for their flavorful meat and their unique characteristics. The average number of eggs laid per clutch is five. Parakeets can lay eggs every day for up to six consecutive days. Modern layer . That also depends on her health condition and several other factors. Learn more. Chickens begin to lay eggs when they are approximately 5 months old and will continue to lay eggs for several years. How often do turkeys mate? Bourbon Red turkeys are a heritage breed of turkey that are known for their unique appearance, friendly temperament, and flavorful meat. The same is true when she has small chicks that cant fly away or defend themselves against smaller predators like raccoons. While some people think that turkeys only nest in trees during the winter months, researchers have found evidence that turkeys also nest during the summer. Males guard the eggs, which hatch within 3 to 5 days. They dont need to wait a few days or weeks. After the mating season, Toms and younger Jakes retreat to a separate males-only flock, wandering around separate from the hens. Considering what large creatures turkeys are, it takes a lot to feed them over those seven months, especially considering that they dont lay that many eggs. After a 28-day incubation period, the eggs hatch into chicks that stay with their mother for about 4 to 5 months. A Guinea hen will lay between 80 to 160 eggs per year. Chicken eggs take about 21 days to hatch, while turkey eggs take about 28 days. After about three years, you can expect a steady drop off in production. Out in the wild, things are much more different. The incubation period lasts 28 days, after which the eggs hatch into chicks that stay with their mother for about 4 to 5 months. Mother turkeys raise their heads high to scan for predators, so their nest must have clear sight lines. Want more "Something Wild" episodes (we love Dave Anderson too!)? Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. The average turkey will mate around 12 times in their lifetime. Finally, turkeys just dont lay enough eggs to sell at the supermarket. Chickens, on the other hand, begin laying eggs around the age of 5 months. There are both wild and domesticated turkeys today. To make Southwest Turkey And Egg breakfast skillet, you need to follow these steps: 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit 2) In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, cheddar cheese, green chilies, salt and pepper 3) Spray a 10 inch cast iron skillet with nonstick spray 4) Pour egg mixture into skillet 5) Sprinkle turkey bacon pieces on top 6) Everywhere you look, there are a lot of turkeys. For the most part, turkeys are seasonal egg layers, waiting until the weather starts to warm in the early spring. Blue Slate Turkeys are a stunning breed of domestic turkey that are highly prized for their unique appearance and docile temperament. Her routine, once she goes broody, is sitting on the eggs. However, where the Giant really stands out is in meat production. That said, if you are interested in getting your hand on some turkey eggs, your local farm would most likely be happy to sell some to you, ensuring that you get the freshest eggs. They are similar to chicken eggs in taste and fully packed with various nutrients. Up to 100 eggs; How many English settlers were at the first Thanksgiving? In fact, turkeys lay fewer eggs in a year than chickens do. Turkeys lay from early spring to early summer, a span of about 4 months. Even though some people has reported that their turkeys lay an egg per day. Hens lay an average of 80 to 100 eggs per year, with eggs weighing about 80 grams each. Now she would stay on the nest day and night for 28 days to incubate the eggs, only taking a brief break mid-day to feed on protein-rich insects. If so, the, Things about Zodiac Signs: Uses, Months, Advantages. The average laying rate of Narragansett Turkeys is 90 eggs per year. I'm Thomas, one of the founders of The Garden Magazine. Sometimes a hen might lay a few eggs in the fall before winter begins but will stop production for cold winter days. Their breeding and egg-laying phenomenon may be seasonal or continues throughout the year. With their slate-blue plumage, bright red wattles, and long, curved beaks, these birds are a true feast for the eyes. Other breeds may lay eggs up until age seven. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Featured Image Credit: Nurlan Mammadzada, Shutterstock. (Photo: Maslowski National Wild Turkey Federation), Turkey nest with eggs. However, its worth pointing out that wild and domesticated turkeys vary in terms of life expectancy. However, the flavor difference overall is not too different, and neither are the nutritional facts although youll only need to eat one turkey egg to get the same nutritional benefits you get from two chicken eggs. A turkey hen lays fewer eggs, only about two or three eggs per week. A turkey can lay up to 100 eggs a year and will lay between 2 and 3 eggs a week. There are different breeds of turkeys. Once they leave her side, she can resume laying another clutch in March and April. It is worth noting that wild and domesticated turkeys have different life expectancies. Turkeys usually lay eggs in the morning and early afternoon, with eggs more often being laid in the morning rather than later in the day. This is quite a bit less than the amount that chickens can lay, which is once per day. Quail Diet 101: Everything Quail Can and Cant Eat. A hen will lay 12 eggs (known as a clutch) before sitting on them for incubation. In this article, we will take a look at the various breeds of duck and how many eggs they lay.