In 2023, Americans consumed approximately 281 eggs per person over the year (according to Statista), marking a steady rise since the early 2000s. United Egg Producers reported that by the end of 2024, there were 311 million hens producing an average of 301 eggs each. While most consumed eggs come from chickens, other birds like ducks, geese, and quails have provided food for millennia. Although turkey eggs were once a staple for Native Americans prior to chickens arriving in the Americas in the 1500s, they have fallen out of favor in modern diets. The primary reason is their lack of economic viability as a food source.
To understand why turkey eggs are not consumed, it’s important to know how turkeys reproduce. After toms (male turkeys) mate with hens (female turkeys), the hens lay the eggs one at a time every 24 to 32 hours, taking about two weeks to lay nine to 13 eggs. While this is similar to the 10 to 14 eggs chickens lay in the same period, turkeys lay significantly fewer eggs annually — only 70 to 100 compared to chickens’ 200 to over 300 per year.
Besides producing fewer eggs, turkeys are larger than chickens, requiring more space and food. These increased costs would be passed on to consumers, resulting in each egg costing around $2 or $3, translating to $24 to $36 per dozen.
How do turkey eggs differ from chicken eggs?
Although the number of eggs laid by these birds varies, both turkeys and chickens fertilize eggs in stages by storing and releasing sperm. Their gestation periods are also similar — about 21 days for chickens and 28 days for turkeys. When it comes to consumption, both types of eggs are edible but have distinct differences. Typically, chicken eggs are solid brown or white, measuring about 2 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, and weighing 1.7 ounces. Turkey eggs, on the other hand, are cream or white with brown spots, measuring about 2.5 inches long and 1.7 inches in diameter, and weighing approximately 3 ounces. The shell thickness also differs, with chicken shells measuring about 0.3 millimeters thick and turkey shells about 0.4 millimeters thick.
Beyond appearance, nutritional differences are noteworthy. A large chicken egg contains 6 grams of protein (according to the USDA), whereas a turkey egg provides nearly 11 grams of protein (also according to the USDA). For those seeking a protein-rich meal, turkey eggs are superior. Additionally, turkey eggs are richer in calcium and potassium. However, moderation is advised due to their significantly higher cholesterol content — 737 milligrams compared to 186 milligrams in chicken eggs. While dietary cholesterol is no longer considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol), since blood cholesterol is more affected by saturated fat, the 700-plus milligrams of cholesterol in turkey eggs greatly exceeds the previous daily recommended intake of 200 to 300 milligrams.
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