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As a backyard chicken owner I’m very familiar with the typical size of a chicken egg. But when my neighbor offered me some turkey eggs from her flock I was surprised at just how much bigger they were!
In this article I’ll go over the dimensions of turkey eggs compared to chicken eggs and other common types of eggs. We’ll also look at why turkey eggs are so large how their nutrition compares, and some tips for cooking with them.
Typical Size Differences Between Poultry Eggs
To get a sense of the turkey egg’s size. let’s first look at the average length and diameter of eggs from different birds
- Chicken Egg: 2.4 inches long, 1.7 inches diameter
- Duck Egg: 2.6 inches long, 1.7 inches diameter
- Turkey Egg: 2.6 inches long, 1.7 inches diameter
As you can see, turkey eggs are about the same size as duck eggs, averaging around 2.6 inches long and 1.7 inches wide. This makes them a good 50-100% larger than large chicken eggs in terms of total mass. A chicken egg may weigh 1.8 oz while a turkey egg ranges from 2.3 – 4 oz.
Why Are Turkey Eggs So Much Bigger?
The main reason for the size difference is simply that turkeys are much bigger birds than chickens. A fully grown male turkey can be over twice the size of a mature rooster. So it makes sense that their eggs would also be considerably larger.
Ostrich eggs take things to the extreme at 2.1 pounds each! But turkey eggs provide a more reasonable jumping-off point for testing out extra-large eggs.
Differences in Turkey Egg Shape and Color
In addition to size, turkey eggs differ subtly in shape and color:
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Shape: Turkey eggs tend to be more pointed at the ends versus chicken eggs which are rounded.
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Color: Turkey eggs can range from white to light brown or speckled. Chicken eggs are commonly white or brown.
So the shape and speckled pattern can provide clues that an egg came from a turkey rather than a chicken.
Nutritional Profile of Turkey Eggs
With their larger size, turkey eggs naturally contain more calories and nutrients:
- Calories: 135 in turkey egg vs. 72 in large chicken egg
- Protein: 11g vs. 6g
- Fat: 9g vs. 5g
- Cholesterol: 933mg vs. 372mg
However, when comparing equal weights, the nutrition is quite similar between turkey and chicken eggs. The extra calories and nutrients simply come from the greater total mass.
Cooking With Turkey Eggs
For cooking purposes, turkey eggs can replace chicken eggs in any recipe. Their richness and mild flavor are very similar when prepared.
The main consideration is that turkey eggs contribute more liquid volume. So you may need to adjust other wet or dry ingredients to achieve the ideal consistency in a baking recipe.
Other than minor tweaks, turkey eggs are great for omelets, baking, and other egg dishes. Their large size can also make them ideal for egg sandwiches or salads.
Availability and Cost of Turkey Eggs
The rarity of turkey eggs in stores comes down to economics – turkeys raised commercially are for meat rather than eggs. But backyard turkey owners may have extra eggs available through local farms, markets, or direct purchase.
Since they are uncommon, expect to pay a premium price of $2 or more per turkey egg. So these giant eggs are more of a specialty ingredient rather than an everyday staple.
Hatching Turkey Poults
Turkey eggs can be fertilized and incubated just like chicken eggs. After 28 days of incubation, the eggs will hatch into adorable baby turkeys known as poults. Raising young poults requires extra care compared to chicks.
Summary
When you come across a turkey egg, prepare to be impressed by its large size, speckled shell, and pointy shape compared to a typical chicken egg. While not common in stores, these mammoth eggs provide a fun glimpse into just how sizable our big turkey friends are!
I’d recommend trying turkey eggs if you get the chance. Their impressive dimensions and mild flavor make them an interesting ingredient for chefs. Let us know if you’ve cooked with turkey eggs before and how they turned out. Happy baking!
How Expensive Are Turkey Eggs?
The 5 points mentioned above are all factors in why turkey eggs are much more expensive than chicken eggs. It makes much more sense to sell a fertilized turkey egg than to try to save up a dozen eggs to sell for eating purposes.
A turkey egg will be around $3.00 for one egg as opposed to $3.00 a dozen for chicken eggs. Save those eggs for breeding purposes, instead of scrambling them up for breakfast! But only after you’ve scrambled one up for breakfast. When people ask, you’ll want to be able to say that you’ve eaten a turkey egg…and loved it!
Find out what makes Turkey Eggs so cool!
Turkey eggs are edible, quite edible! Actually, if you come across any nest of eggs, regardless if it’s a robin egg or kill-deer egg, they are all edible!
Now, I’m not encouraging you to start raiding nests, but if you do have the opportunity to eat a turkey egg, don’t turn up your nose! Dig in and enjoy!
The turkey egg is much larger than a chicken egg. Up to 30% – 50% larger, in fact! Their ends are much pointier than a chicken egg.
In this picture below, the first egg is a chicken egg, the next four are turkey eggs (see their pointy ends?) and the last egg is a goose egg.
Why Don’t We Eat Turkey Eggs!
FAQ
Are turkey eggs good to eat?
- Edible: You can eat turkey eggs just like chicken eggs.
- Larger size: Turkey eggs are about 50% bigger than chicken eggs.
- Thicker shell: The shell of a turkey egg is usually thicker and harder to crack than a chicken egg.
- Richer flavor: Some describe the taste as slightly richer and creamier compared to chicken eggs due to a larger yolk.
- Less available: Because turkeys lay eggs less frequently, turkey eggs are not as readily available in grocery stores as chicken eggs.
What do turkey eggs look like?
- Turkey eggs are about 65–115 grams, and are similar in size to duck eggs
- The thinner end of a turkey egg is more pointed than a chicken egg
Are turkey eggs larger than chicken eggs?
Whereas a chicken egg weighs about 50 grams, a turkey egg can range from about 65 to 115 grams but is typically similar in size to the size of duck eggs.
How often does a turkey lay an egg?
- A turkey hen lays one egg every 24 to 32 hours.
- It takes about two weeks to lay a full clutch of eggs.
- After laying the last egg, the hen incubates the eggs for about 28 days.
- The hen will sit quietly and move about once an hour to turn and reposition the eggs.
- The eggs will hatch at the same time, often within an hour of one another, which is called “synchronous hatching”.
How big is a turkey egg?
To understand the size of a turkey egg, it helps to first look at the typical length and diameter of eggs from other birds: As you can see, the turkey egg is very similar in size to a duck egg, averaging around 65mm long and 44mm in diameter. This makes them significantly larger than chicken eggs.
Is it safe to have two A size eggs?
For a healthy adult with normal cholesterol levels and no significant underlying heart disease risk factors, most studies suggests that 1 or 2 eggs per day can be safe.
What does a turkey egg look like?
Turkey eggshells can be white, cream-colored, brown, or speckled. One aspect that differentiates these eggs is the nutritional breakdown. A turkey egg provides almost double the calories, protein, and fat as a chicken egg, partly due to its larger size.
Is a turkey egg bigger than a chicken egg?
The turkey egg is much larger than a chicken egg. Up to 30% – 50% larger, in fact! Their ends are much pointier than a chicken egg. In this picture below, the first egg is a chicken egg, the next four are turkey eggs (see their pointy ends?) and the last egg is a goose egg. Nutrition Facts: Serving Size, 1 Egg
How much does a turkey egg cost?
A turkey egg will be around $3.00 for one egg as opposed to $3.00 a dozen for chicken eggs. Save those eggs for breeding purposes, instead of scrambling them up for breakfast! But only after you’ve scrambled one up for breakfast. When people ask, you’ll want to be able to say that you’ve eaten a turkey egg…and loved it! Are Turkey Eggs Brown?
How long does it take a Turkey to lay an egg?
After mating, the turkey will find her nesting spot and lay an egg. In the wild, turkeys will lay an egg a day for about 11 days and then set on them for 28 days to hatch out her chicks. Without a tom, a hen can lay an egg, but it won’t be fertile. But once a hen has her clutch of fertile eggs, she will set on the nest for 28 days.