If you are interested in earning an income with your chickens and other fowl, check this out: Chicken Rich
Turkey eggs come in a range of colors from white to cream, tan, pink, peach and speckled. The exact color of a turkey egg depends on the breed of the hen that laid it. Some turkey eggs are white while others are cream, tan or pinkish with brown speckles on the shell. Read on to learn more about what colors turkey eggs can be and what impacts the shell color.
Turkey Egg Shell Colors
Turkey eggs can come in the following colors:
- White
- Cream
- Light tan
- Pinkish
- Peach
- Speckled with brown spots
The most common turkey egg shell colors are white, cream, tan and pinkish with speckles. However, there is variation between hens. Some lay very light colored eggs while others lay darker tan eggs with more speckles.
Here are some of the factors that impact turkey egg shell color
Breed of the Hen
Different breeds of turkeys tend to lay eggs with slightly different shell colors Broad Breasted turkeys and Standard Bronze turkeys tend to lay more pink or speckled eggs Heritage breeds like Bourbon Reds, Narragansetts, and Chocolates lay more tan or creamy eggs.
Individual Hen Differences
Even within the same breed, individual hens can lay eggs with slightly different colors and speckling patterns. One hen may lay very lightly speckled pinkish eggs while another hen of the same breed lays darker tan eggs with heavy speckling.
Diet and Supplements
A turkey’s diet can impact the pigments deposited in the egg shell. Hens fed a diet rich in yellow/orange plant pigments like marigolds may lay darker more yellow-toned eggs. Supplements like oyster shell also add pigment.
What Impacts Turkey Egg Yolk Color?
While the shell color varies, the yolk color of turkey eggs is usually yellow to orange. However, there are some factors that can affect the yolk color.
Breed
Some heritage turkey breeds lay eggs with darker, more orange colored yolks. The yolks of Broad Breasted and Standard Bronze turkeys are often paler yellow.
Diet
Like chicken eggs, the color of the turkey egg yolk depends on what the hen has been eating. Diets rich in carotenoids from grass, insects, or supplements will produce darker, more orange colored yolks. Grain-based diets make paler yolks.
Age of the Hen
As turkey hens age, their egg yolks tend to get darker and more orange. Younger hens under a year old tend to lay lighter yellow yolks.
Typical Turkey Egg Size and Shape
Turkey eggs are distinctly larger and pointier than chicken eggs. Here are some typical specs:
- Size: About 2-2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide
- Shape: More elongated and conical compared to rounded chicken eggs
- About 1.5-2 times as large as a large chicken egg
- Pointed oval shape with one end more tapered
The size, shape and color pattern are useful ways to distinguish turkey eggs from chicken eggs when trying to identify the type of egg.
Are Turkey Egg Shells Different than Chicken Eggs?
Turkey egg shells tend to be thicker and stronger than chicken egg shells. Here are a few differences:
- Thicker shell – The shell is more difficult to crack and peel
- Mottled color pattern – Turkey egg shells are more speckled
- More durable – Turkey egg shells resist breaking more than chicken eggs
- Rough texture – Turkey egg shells can feel gritty or sandy
These traits make a turkey egg shell visually and texturally different from a smooth, thin, uniformly colored chicken egg. The speckles and thicker shell help camouflage turkey eggs in a nest on the ground to protect from predators.
Uses and Culinary Qualities
Turkey eggs have most of the same uses and qualities as chicken eggs. Their larger size does impact cooking though. Here are some tips:
- Scrambled or fried turkey eggs take longer to cook through
- The yolk to white ratio is similar to chicken eggs
- The rich taste is comparable to chicken eggs
- Larger size means turkey eggs are not a direct substitute in baking recipes
- More filling and substantial when fried for breakfast
Overall, turkey eggs can be used just like chicken eggs. Their large size just means they take a bit longer to cook. Enjoy them scrambled, fried, baked into custards or used in any recipe that calls for eggs!
How Many Eggs Does a Turkey Lay?
Turkey hens are not as productive egg layers as chickens. Here are some estimates:
- Most turkey hens lay 2-3 eggs per week
- An average of 15-20 eggs per month
- Heavier egg production in spring through summer
- Lighter egg laying in winter
So while a prolific chicken may lay 5-6 eggs per week, expect only 2-3 eggs from a turkey hen. The eggs are bigger though!
Turkey hens also tend to have a shorter laying life than chickens. After 2-3 years, egg laying drops off. Chickens may lay steadily for 4-5 years.
In Summary
Turkey eggs can range in color from white to creamy, tan, pinkish, peach and speckled brown. The exact shell color depends on the individual hen’s breed, genetics, and diet. While the shell color varies, the yolk is usually yellow to orange. Turkey eggs have a distinct pointed oval shape and thick durable shell. Their large size means turkey eggs take longer to cook than chicken eggs, but they can be eaten and enjoyed in similar ways. Turkey hens lay fewer eggs than chickens overall. But the beauty and culinary versatility of their eggs makes turkey keeping worthwhile!
Why Don’t We Eat Turkey Eggs?
If the turkey egg tastes almost like a chicken egg, then why aren’t they eaten more often? That’s a good question and here are the answers:
- Egg Production. Turkeys lay eggs about 2 times per week.
- Size. Turkeys are much larger than chickens and have a larger space requirement.
- Intake. Because of their size, they eat more as well.
- Slow Maturity. Turkeys begin laying eggs 2 to 3 months later than a chicken.
- Expense. Because of the above four points, the expense to raise them is too much for egg production on a large scale.
What Do Turkey Eggs Taste Like?
People are known to give these shining reviews about turkey eggs:
“They have a very smooth taste…”
“I prefer them to chicken eggs!”
“They taste like eggs. I’ve eaten them for years.”
It seems the voting is tallied! Turkey eggs are just as scrumptious as the chicken egg! Don’t miss out!
Find out what turkeys eat here …because what they eat affects the taste of their eggs!
Why Don’t We Eat Turkey Eggs!
FAQ
What color are turkey eggs?
- Turkey eggs are about 50% larger than chicken eggs.
- They have a pointier thinner end than chicken eggs.
- The shells are thicker than chicken eggs and more difficult to crack.
Can turkey eggs be brown?
The membrane between the turkey eggshell and egg is thicker, as is the eggshell itself, which requires a sharp blow to crack. Turkey eggshells can be white, cream-colored, brown, or speckled. One aspect that differentiates these eggs is the nutritional breakdown.
How do you identify a turkey egg?
Egg Description: Pale yellowish tan, evenly marked with reddish brown or pinkish spots. Condition at Hatching: Well-developed and covered with tawny, brown, pinkish, and gray down.
Do turkeys lay white eggs?
Toward the end of the egg production period, turkey hens often lay eggs with almost white shells, which is due to the depletion of pigment, but this lack of pigmentation did not affect the amount of shell that was deposited on the egg.