Turkey folks -- why are my hens laying eggs AFTER a hatch?

[chickenannie]

Two of my RB turkey hens have 2 week old chicks and have already laid 8 eggs apiece in each of their pens in new nests. Is that normal? I'm bumming because these eggs aren't fertile -- the tom is separated because he may hurt those chicks -- so I am just tossing them (no one wants to eat them). argh.
Should I put the tom and hens together again so that I can hatch a second nest from each hen? What will the chicks do if momma is sitting on a new nest? It doesn't seem right... help?

 

[CUDA]

Why don't you eat them?

 

[chickenannie]

No reason in particular, but when I offer them to my egg customers, everyone says "eww" and isn't interested.

 

[CUDA]

Thats crazy, those things are good eating, and big to boot! I do think it is strange they started laying so soon btw.

 

[wilds of pa]

Bake a cake with them...duck eggs are good for baking to...


Charlie

 

[chickenannie]

wilds, you have a lot of turkeys, don't you? do you know if this is normal behavior ??

I'll find a way to use the eggs. I'd rather have more chicks though.

Can someone answer my original question?

 

[CUDA]

I haven't had turkeys too long, but they seem to act the same as my regular fowl. I have never seen a bird start laying that soon, and while still caring for chicks. If you want more chicks, take the babies away, put them in a brooder, and put the tom back in with them. Good luck!

 

[Struttn1]

Turkey hens will stay fertile from breeding for a couple of months even if seperated from the gobbler. If she has been bred less than 2 months ago those eggs may be fertile.