Couperman Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 The other day in the pub someone asked why you never see Turkey eggs for sale (don't have a clue how we got on the subject). I replied rather matter of factly that Turkeys don't lay eggs but are in fact mammals and give birth to thier young. I did of course back this up with lots of made up scientific sounding terminology etc. I was still somewhat amazed that no less than three people believed me I am related to one of them! I can't wait to tell tham how Turkey ham is produced. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Were they full of festive "pop" when you gave your explanation Turkey ham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Were they full of festive "pop" when you gave your explanation Turkey ham No not really it was quite early in the proceedings. Very funny though. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Oh kev you are a one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Erm, well we had this discussion just yesterday about turkey eggs! They are birds, they must lay eggs - so how come we never see any or there are none for sale in shops??? How often does a turkey lay an egg? Perhaps they taste horrid? I just don't know & have probably totally embarrassed myself & look a total dilly now! Oh well, I want to know these things! Now pheasants lay eggs too - they lay pretty regular in the warmer months. I know coz my sister had to go egg collecting pheasant eggs everyday last year from the pheasant pens. There were hundreds of eggs. So how come we don't eat those? My sister & my brother in law breed & raise pheasants to be released on their land for the game keeper to look after later on. We eat duck eggs - why's that? How often does a duck lay? I'm totally puzzled!!!! And, well an ostrich egg - now that would make a good dippy egg! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I don't know why some eggs are for sale and others aren't I can't believe three people believed you Kev! ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 I must admit I've started wondering about keeping Turkeys after seeing some cute ones on TV over Christmas. They're apparently friendly and easy to tame, but excellent fliers unlike chickens. OH is not enamoured by the concept of rescuing a 20lb turkey from a roof. Luckily we've no room. I've started reading "other feather friends" on the practical poultry forum which might help. I'm sure someone there enjoyed their turkey eggs but I can't find the thread now. http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Poultry/start-keeping-turkeys/breeding-turkeys.php Lighter breeds can lay up to 100 eggs in a season and come into lay earlier, whereas the heavier types may lay as few as 50, with the laying season lasting from 16 to 20 weeks. Laying begins at around 28 weeks onwards, depending on the breed. Turkeys normally lay between April and June although there may be some eggs laid in March and July, with the earliest eggs producing the heaviest birds at Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 My parents get goose eggs in the spring from the geese that live in the orchard behind their house- I'll try & post a piccie of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Found this answer as to why you don't see turkey eggs in the shops on t'interweb. "Barnyard economics, babe. 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. Another problem is that turkeys go "broody" easily--they want to sit on their eggs and incubate them!" Plus....I don't think there is that much consumer interest.........otherwise Bernard Matthews would be supplying them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 One of our 'Dinners' laid her first egg on Christmas Day We find it sad, not exciting.... it makes it so much harder (mentally) to despatch them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 One of our 'Dinners' laid her first egg on Christmas Day We find it sad, not exciting.... it makes it so much harder (mentally) to despatch them That is sad Can imagine it makes it much harder. Will you let her continue laying or dispatch her ASAP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 We don't know which one it was - but they all have to be despatched soon anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 ! And, well an ostrich egg - now that would make a good dippy egg!Emma.x 1 ostrich egg can feed 10 people! And the shell is soo hard you need a hammer to break into it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Any chance of a photo of the egg lesley? ......with a hens egg next to it for comparison? While you are doing nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Any chance of a photo of the egg lesley? ......with a hens egg next to it for comparison? While you are doing nothing. I thought Lesley meant one of the chicken dinners had laid - the turkeys are probably all gone by now (but I might be wrong ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Oh...have I misunderstood. Ignore me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I thought it was a turkey egg too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I thought it was a turkey egg at first, then I realised unlikely for a turkey to be in any position to lay on christmas day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I thought it was a turkey egg at first, then I realised unlikely for a turkey to be in any position to lay on christmas day That's what puzzled me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I thought it was a turkey egg at first, then I realised unlikely for a turkey to be in any position to lay on christmas day Now you come to mention it....... I thought it was a turkey egg too Am glad I'm not the only one! I am easily confused these days though. It's the hennopause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Sorry! - yes, it's just a hen's egg............ and Snowy is right.... not many turkeys around at the moment to lay any eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
