Turkeys are large and majestic birds native to North America but found across the world. These birds can be found out in the wild but are nowadays domesticated. Turkeys reproduce by laying eggs that hatch after a certain period.
Usually, a female turkey will lay a clutch of 5-15 eggs in each production cycle. But, the size of the clutch depends on the turkey breed. This breed of turkey can lay 10 to 14 eggs, while this breed of turkey can lay 8 to 15 eggs.
As spring approaches, turkey hens prepare for the important work of egg laying and incubating a new brood. But just how many eggs can a single turkey hen lay over the breeding season? Let’s take a look at the fascinating reproductive capabilities of these large ground-nesting birds.
Overview of Turkey Breeding
Wild turkeys breed in the springtime, with mating typically occurring in March and April. After mating, the hen searches for an appropriate nest site close to open brood habitat.
She scrapes out a shallow bowl in the ground, well-hidden in thick vegetation. Over the next 2 weeks she will lay multiple eggs in the nest.
Egg Laying and Clutch Size
The total number of eggs a hen lays is called her clutch. Turkey clutches can range from 8-15 eggs depending on the individual.
On average a turkey hen will lay 1 egg per day until her clutch is complete. So a clutch of 12 eggs would take about 12 days to fully lay.
Older, healthier hens tend to produce larger clutches. Younger hens may only lay 8-10 eggs their first season. The largest clutches approach 15 eggs.
Wild turkeys typically only produce one clutch per year. But if a clutch is lost early on, a hen can re-nest and lay another in the same season.
Incubation Period
Once all her eggs are laid, the hen settles in to incubate them. She will keep the eggs warm under her body for 28 days straight until they hatch.
The hen leaves the nest only about once a day to feed. She is very dedicated and attentive during incubation.
Total Eggs Per Season
With one clutch per year of 8-15 eggs, a typical turkey hen will lay a total of 8-15 eggs in a breeding season. Older, experienced hens may lay towards the higher end around 14-15 eggs.
If a hen has to re-nest after losing a clutch, she could potentially lay up to 30 eggs in a season. But this is less common and dependent on timing.
Egg Laying in Domestic Turkeys
Domestic turkeys have been selectively bred to maximize egg production. Heritage turkey breeds lay a similar number of eggs as wild turkeys.
But commercial breeds like the Broad-Breasted White can lay up to 100 eggs per year, in multiple clutches. This intensive production comes at the expense of nesting behaviors though.
Turkeys as Prolific Layers
While modern chickens have been bred to lay eggs almost daily, turkeys are much less prolific on an individual basis. But over a breeding season, a turkey hen’s 8-15 eggs is still an impressive reproductive effort!
Given proper nutrition and habitat, wild turkey numbers continue to thrive thanks to the dedication of hens. Their careful incubation ensures new poults hatch to sustain future generations of these grand birds.
How Many Turkey Eggs Survive?
Like many other birds, the survival rate of turkey eggs varies. Turkeys out in the wild are more exposed to predators out to raid their nests. Predators like snakes, skunks, foxes, weasels, raccoons, and coyotes love eggs. It wouldn’t bother these animals to clean out a turkey nest if they saw one with eggs in it.
In the wild, only around 10% to 40% of turkey eggs will survive. Remember, turkeys prefer making their nests on the ground. It’s not easy to protect a nest in such a setting when so many predators are around.
However, domesticated turkeys have it better since their nests are safe. For the most part, they lay their eggs in safe places. Each clutch of 18 eggs can hatch up to 17 eggs.
Do Turkeys Lay Eggs Without a Male?
Like most birds, a mature female turkey (5 or 6 months old) will lay an egg each day. This happens whether there is a male turkey around or not.
The main purpose of a male turkey is fertilization. Without a male fertilizing the egg, it won’t hatch into a chick when the female turkey incubates it. Therefore, you can still get turkey eggs to eat even if you don’t want a male around.
Male turkeys tend to be a handful which is why some people prefer raising females only. Because of their size, they tend to have a bad temperament and can even attack you.
How many eggs do turkeys lay?
FAQ
How many eggs can a turkey lay in a day?
How many eggs can a turkey brood?
How many babies can turkeys have?
Will turkeys lay eggs without a male?
How many eggs can a turkey lay?
Turkeys start laying eggs at about seven months old. During the breeding season, a turkey will lay about a dozen for its clutch, but a younger hen might have fewer eggs. A few farmers keep turkeys for their eggs, so they will not have a chance to mate and fertilize their eggs.
Do turkeys lay more eggs than chickens?
Turkeys lay fewer eggs than chickens. Most chicken breeds lay about 300 eggs annually, while turkeys lay about 100 eggs within the same period. As such, most farmers think chickens are the better investment choice when keeping poultry to sell eggs, but turkey eggs fetch higher prices.
When do turkeys lay eggs?
A turkey hen usually starts to lay eggs at around seven months. In contrast, chickens begin laying eggs between 18 and 22 weeks, or about five months. In this article, we’ll explain when turkeys lay eggs and tell you everything you need to know about turkey eggs. When Do Turkeys Lay Eggs in Their Lifetime?
Can turkeys lay eggs?
High-quality turkey feeds for laying hens can help maintain optimal egg production levels. Additionally, ensuring access to clean water is critical, as dehydration can disrupt egg production. Proper nutrition and hydration can help turkeys lay eggs more consistently and improve the overall quality of the eggs.
How big is a chicken egg compared to a turkey egg?
Even the largest chicken eggs cannot compare to a turkey’s egg. While a chicken egg has an average length of two inches and a diameter of 1.5 inches, a turkey’s egg is 1.7 inches in diameter and 2.55 inches in length. While a turkey’s egg weighs 3.1 ounces on average, a chicken’s egg is about 1.7 ounces.
Do you eat turkey eggs a year?
Each American consumes hundreds of eggs a year. Although some of those eggs are duck and quail eggs, the overwhelming majority are chicken eggs. Knowing this, you may wonder why we don’t eat other varieties of eggs as often, such as turkey eggs. How many eggs do turkeys lay, anyway?