Turkeys, like other poultry species, lay eggs, and the number they produce annually can vary significantly. Understanding their egg-laying habits offers valuable insights for both backyard enthusiasts and commercial farming operations.
Typical Annual Egg Production
Domestic turkeys typically lay between 50 and 100 eggs per year, with some heritage strains like Bronze and Bourbon Red laying up to 150. These birds generally lay an egg every one to three days when in their laying cycle. The primary laying season for domestic turkeys usually spans from early spring to early summer.
Turkey hens begin laying eggs around 7 to 9 months of age, or in the spring following their hatch year, with production often peaking between two and five years old. Wild turkeys exhibit a different laying pattern, producing fewer eggs, typically one clutch per year. A wild turkey clutch usually consists of 8 to 15 eggs. Wild hens lay one egg per day until their clutch is complete, a process taking approximately two weeks. If a wild hen loses her first clutch, she may re-nest and lay another.
Influencing Factors on Laying
Several elements influence a turkey hen’s egg production. Age plays a role, with peak laying occurring between one and two years, after which production gradually declines. Hens that begin laying too early, before approximately 29 weeks of age, may produce fewer and smaller eggs. Nutrition is also important, requiring a balanced diet rich in protein, calcium, and essential vitamins and minerals to support consistent egg production. A laying ration should contain about 2.6% to 2.8% calcium.
Light exposure, or photoperiod, stimulates egg laying in turkeys. Longer daylight hours (typically 14 to 17 hours) mimic spring conditions and encourage hens to lay. Farmers often use artificial lighting to extend day length, especially during shorter winter months, to maintain production. Optimal environmental conditions, including appropriate temperatures and ventilation, help reduce stress and support egg-laying consistency; high temperatures, for instance, can decrease feed intake and negatively affect egg quality. The specific breed also matters, as commercial strains are selectively bred for higher egg yields.
Egg Characteristics and Broodiness
Turkey eggs possess distinct physical characteristics. They are larger than chicken eggs, weighing between 70 and 100 grams, which can be up to twice the size of a typical chicken egg. Their shape is elliptical and more pointed than chicken eggs. The shells are off-white, cream, beige, or brown, and frequently speckled. These eggs also feature thicker and harder shells compared to chicken eggs, contributing to their durability.
Broodiness is a natural behavior in turkey hens, driven by the hormone prolactin, where they stop laying to incubate eggs. When a hen becomes broody, she ceases to lay new eggs, which directly reduces her annual egg count. Wild turkeys typically go broody after laying a clutch, and many domestic heritage breeds also exhibit this trait. Commercial turkey strains are selectively bred to minimize broodiness, allowing for more consistent egg production. Collecting eggs regularly can help discourage a hen from going broody, encouraging her to continue laying.