Question of the Day: Why can't you buy turkey eggs in stores?

[TonyClifton]

Answer: Barnyard economics. Turkeys don't lay that many eggs, and the ones they do lay are used to produce more turkeys. The average egg-laying chicken lays 300 or so eggs per year, while the average turkey produces only 100 to 120. Chickens come into production at 19 to 20 weeks of age, but turkeys don't get cranking until 32 weeks. Turkeys are also much larger, averaging 16 to 17 pounds compared to 3.5 pounds for chickens. So you'd need a lot more room for a bird that would take a lot longer to produce a lot fewer eggs.

My rebuttal: That sounds good in theory, but wouldn't the turkey eggs be a lot larger? Not only that, I bet they would be popular and people would be willing to pay more for them. In the morning you could have a turkey omelet made with turkey eggs and stuffed with turkey sausage and turkey bacon. It would be half the calories and fat of a traditional omelet and it would taste almost as good. Turkey eggs are also lower in cholesterol than chicken eggs.

http://vegetariansalmon.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/turkey.jpg

 

[shoulderblade]

My rebuttal: That sounds good in theory, but wouldn't the turkey eggs be a lot larger? Not only that, I bet they would be popular and people would be willing to pay more for them. In the morning you could have a turkey omelet made with turkey eggs and stuffed with turkey sausage and turkey bacon. It would be half the calories and fat of a traditional omelet and it would taste almost as good. Turkey eggs are also lower in cholesterol than chicken eggs.

I must admit I have never really given it any thought although Turkey is one of my very favourite foods. I am sure I have never seen their eggs for sale anywhere though the industry must produce more than it needs in order to ensure adequate supply of the birds.

I personally eat Turkey all year round though I believe it is a sort of seasonal industry with sales peaking around Thanksgiving and Christmas. This tosses a curve ball int the egg situation, I think, as they have to arrange to have the birds 'peaking' for a certain set sale period.

Further complication. I spoke to a Turkey vendor at the market where I shop and he said they did not freeze the birds but kept them dormant untill sale. (at -7 C I think)

Maybe they sell excess eggs to processors.

 

[o_so_wet]

I prefer to use duck eggs when I make anything in custard...it is richer and produces as smoother custard.....I wonder if turkey eggs are similar ?

Good question about the turkey eggs.

 

[fair_warning]

Answer: Barnyard economics. Turkeys don't lay that many eggs, and the ones they do lay are used to produce more turkeys. The average egg-laying chicken lays 300 or so eggs per year, while the average turkey produces only 100 to 120. Chickens come into production at 19 to 20 weeks of age, but turkeys don't get cranking until 32 weeks. Turkeys are also much larger, averaging 16 to 17 pounds compared to 3.5 pounds for chickens. So you'd need a lot more room for a bird that would take a lot longer to produce a lot fewer eggs.

My rebuttal: That sounds good in theory, but wouldn't the turkey eggs be a lot larger? Not only that, I bet they would be popular and people would be willing to pay more for them. In the morning you could have a turkey omelet made with turkey eggs and stuffed with turkey sausage and turkey bacon. It would be half the calories and fat of a traditional omelet and it would taste almost as good. Turkey eggs are also lower in cholesterol than chicken eggs.

http://vegetariansalmon.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/turkey.jpg

Setting aside a lot of other considerations in a turkey vs chicken cook off . Yes turkey eggs are bigger but, not THAT much bigger. And if a 3.5 lb chicken can crank out 300+ eggs a year why would you want to feed a bird that will eat maybe 5 - 6 times more food, require an equally larger amount of coop space etc...etc...that lays only 100 -120 eggs a year that are only 50% larger?

 

[Aquagal]

I prefer to use duck eggs when I make anything in custard...it is richer and produces as smoother custard.....I wonder if turkey eggs are similar ?

Good question about the turkey eggs.

I'm allergic to duck eggs.