How Many Eggs Can a Turkey Lay? What to Expect from Your Turkey’s Egg Production

As Thanksgiving approaches, turkeys take center stage. But there’s more to these big birds than just the tasty turkey on your table. Did you know turkeys also lay eggs? While not as common as chicken eggs learning about turkey egg production can help you understand these birds better. In this article, I’ll cover everything about how many eggs turkeys lay.

Do Turkeys Lay Eggs?

Yes, female turkeys (called hens) do lay eggs, just like chickens! The eggs are fertilized by male turkeys, called toms or gobblers. Turkey hens lay clutches of eggs in nests during the breeding season. But wild turkeys only lay eggs in the springtime.

Domesticated turkeys can be bred to lay multiple clutches throughout the warmer months. The eggs can either be incubated to hatch more baby turkeys, or eaten just like chicken eggs.

When Do Turkeys Start to Lay Eggs?

An important fact about turkeys is that they start laying eggs much later than chickens. While chickens begin laying eggs at 16-20 weeks old, turkeys don’t start until around 30 weeks or 7-8 months of age.

They also live quite a bit longer than chickens, with average lifespans of 10 years compared to just 5-8 years for chickens. So although it takes longer to get started, turkeys keep laying eggs for many years once they start.

How Often Do Turkeys Lay Eggs?

Once a turkey hen reaches laying maturity, how often will she lay eggs? Turkeys generally lay fewer eggs than chickens Here’s what to expect

• The average turkey will lay 2-3 eggs per week. Some may only lay 1 egg weekly.

• In comparison, chickens lay much more often – about 5-6 eggs per week typically.

• Turkeys mostly lay eggs between March and July. Their laying peaks in April-May.

• Chickens will lay year-round if conditions are right. Turkeys are seasonal layers.

So turkey hens produce fewer eggs overall than chickens. But they still provide a steady supply in season.

How Many Eggs Does a Turkey Lay Per Year?

With turkeys only laying during the spring and summer months, how many eggs can you expect a turkey to lay annually?

Here are some estimates for total turkey egg production per year:

• On average, a healthy turkey will lay between 50-100 eggs per year.

• Heritage turkey breeds lay on the lower end, around 50 eggs annually.

• Broad-breasted domestic turkeys lay more, averaging 75-100 eggs per year.

• The total eggs per year depends on the individual hen’s health and breed.

• In ideal conditions, a turkey could lay up to 120 eggs per year at peak production.

In comparison, a prolific chicken breed may lay over 200 eggs annually. But turkey hens still produce a sizable number of eggs for eating or hatching.

How Many Eggs Are in a Turkey’s Nest?

Turkeys create nests on the ground lined with leaves and grass where they lay their eggs. But how many eggs will a turkey hen lay before she starts incubating them?

• Turkeys usually lay between 8-15 eggs per clutch in their nest.

• More common numbers are 10-12 eggs laid before the hen starts sitting on them.

• Once she starts incubating, egg laying stops until the poults hatch.

• If eggs are continually removed from the nest, she may lay up to 20-25 eggs before going broody.

Leaving some eggs for the turkey hen to incubate lets her maternal instincts kick in and raises the next generation of turkeys on your farm!

Do Turkeys Lay Eggs Without a Tom?

Turkey hens don’t require mating with a tom in order to lay eggs. Like chickens, they will lay infertile eggs without the presence of a male. However, the eggs won’t hatch since they need fertilization to develop embryos.

Here are some things to know about turkeys laying eggs without a tom:

• As long as she is healthy, a hen will lay normal amounts of eggs without a male.

• The eggs will be unfertilized, containing no embryos.

• Unfertilized eggs are safe to eat just like regular supermarket eggs.

• If incubation is desired, a tom is needed for fertile eggs that will hatch.

So you can collect tasty turkey eggs for eating no matter if a tom is around or not. Just don’t expect them to hatch if no male fertilized them.

Do Turkeys Lay Eggs in Winter?

Turkeys typically do not lay eggs in the winter months. Their egg production decreases as daylight hours get shorter in fall, then stops completely in winter.

Cold weather, lack of food availability, and decreased daylight all signal to the turkey hen that it’s not breeding season. Here’s what to expect in winter:

• Egg laying stops between October and December for most turkeys.

• No eggs are laid for around 4 months in the coldest winter period.

• Production resumes when conditions improve in March/April.

• Supplemental lighting sometimes stimulates winter egg laying.

So unless you provide artificial lighting and heating, don’t expect turkey eggs once winter hits. Enjoy the break in production!

In Summary: How Many Eggs Do Turkeys Lay?

Now you know what to expect from your turkey flock’s egg production:

• Turkeys start laying at 7-8 months old.

• Hens lay around 2-3 eggs per week, less than chickens.

• Peak production is in spring, with 50-100 eggs per year on average.

• 10-15 eggs are laid per clutch before the hen incubates.

• No tom is needed for hens to lay normal amounts.

• Egg laying stops through the winter months.

Understanding the egg laying habits of turkeys helps you manage your expectations. Although slower than chickens, turkeys still provide a bounty of big, rich eggs for eating or hatching come springtime.