Get the San Antonio weather forecast. Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos for San Antonio, TX 78205 from AccuWeather.com Get the San Antonio weather forecast. Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos for San Antonio, TX 78205 from AccuWeather.com
Cecil replies: 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.
Most producers like flocks to begin laying at around 20 weeks of age. A flock of hens will lay efficiently for 60-65 weeks. White egg birds will lay 260-285 eggs a year and eat 3 pounds of feed for every dozen eggs they produce. Brown egg layers will lay 240-280 eggs a year and eat 3.5 pounds of feed for every dozen eggs they lay. Once the hens lay for 60-65 weeks, they are rested or molted. This will force all the hens to stop laying at the same time and allow them rebuild calcium stores and restore body condition.