Modern Homesteader

Stella the turkey laid an egg. I found my turkeys, Stella and Stan Lee, early this year at Sanders County Feed. I couldn’t resist bringing them home. I have chickens that lay eggs, I have ducks that lay eggs and I now have a turkey that lays eggs.

I was surprised when I walked into the coop that morning to find an egg where she normally roosts at night. I knew she was getting close to laying age, but I also know turkeys lay a lot less frequently than chickens or ducks. I get eggs every day from the chickens and the ducks seem to randomly lay wherever they are at the moment. So, a turkey egg from Stella is quite the rarity.

I’ve never even seen a turkey egg before, but there it was, a giant white egg with brown speckles that covered the shell. Now, turkey eggs are totally edible. I’ve been told they taste remarkably similar to chicken eggs. Stella’s egg was noticeably larger than the duck’s eggs. I’m assuming the shell will be slightly tougher than a duck egg and the membrane will also be thicker than that of a duck egg.

Turkey eggs are not something you see every day. Sure, you see chicken and duck eggs at your local farmers market, but have you ever seen a turkey egg for sale? Why are turkey eggs so scarce? Of course, the frequency in which they lay is a factor, but raising turkeys isn’t for the faint of heart.

They get big. Stella and Stan Lee are making my chicken coop look extra small these days. They also eat a lot. With the housing and feed expenses, I see how the scarcity of a turkey egg could be more expensive to sell and more expensive to buy. I can also see why it makes more sense to keep the eggs for hatching and not eating.

Now, from what I’ve seen so far, Stella has absolutely no interest in Stan Lee (and vice versa). She likes her naps and she likes her snacks. I’ve taught her well. So, for now, I don’t think her eggs are fertilized. I will, however, be storing them in the refrigerator just in case. I’m already at full capacity for birds over here.

Reach Miriah at [email protected].