Are turkey eggs fertile their first year of laying?

[Brittwearsboots]

I was told that turkeys can't have fertile eggs their first year of laying, but I have 4 eggs in our incubator. I have wintnessed the "love" between our tom and one of our hens for certain, and wasn't sure if it was a natural act od practice and that they would not be fertile eggs, or if what I was told was a myth and the eggs could very well be fertile. Candling was hard because the eggs are so speckled, and it's day 7 as of tonight. Just curious! Thanks

 

[sylviethecochin]

My first impulse is that the people who told you that are nuts. Ovulation is ovulation. The hen wouldn't be wasting energy on producing an egg if there wasn't some reproductive capability there. Also, obviously your rooster (EDT: TOM. I'm an idiot.) is doing his job, and if you have sperm + egg...

But just in case, I'd crack and chick for a bullseye on an egg you aren't incubating.

 

[Brittwearsboots]

That's what I thought! But I wasn't sure if it was a tom reproductive flaw, but I've googled and found nothing on the subject for hours! Lol. We only got 4 eggs from 2 hens, but I was also told that it is normal for them to only lay a couple eggs a week. I'm new to turkeys. I know our ducks and chickens lay every single day, with the exception of winter. Turkeys are seasonal layers, so I'm leery about eating any of the eggs if there's a chance that they could be fertile.