My muscovy is eating her own eggs and losing feathers

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Re47

Re47

In the Brooder
Nov 4, 2015
12
3
27
Coin. Málaga, España
I have 2 muscovies, both female, both have been laying for a while. About 10 days ago one of them started to lose feathers and as we are in August with 40 degrees centigrade dry heat I am thinking she is stressed, not moulting. She has also started to lay and then immediately eat her own eggs the last few days. They live with six chickens ( each species has their own house at night) and free range during the day over about 1000 square metres with our horse. Everything has been fine since last November up until 10 days ago. Any ideas?
 
What is the protein percentage of the feed?
Have the egg shells been strong or thin?
Egg eating usually starts with a broken egg. Once they learn how good they taste, it is hard to stop them.
Add some fake eggs to the nests as a deterrent.

You're a long way from Catalonia but does anyone around you have Penedesenca or Empordanesa chickens?
 
Thanks,I'll have to check the protein percentage, what's an acceptable level? The egg shells are thinner, I have already added some golf balls but someone suggested filling an empty shell with washing up liquid. No I've never seen a Penedesenca or Empordanesa before. Why?
 
I asked because I raise them. They are famous in the Catalonian state. Penedesencas are from Penedes region and Emps are from Emporda.
They are extremely rare here and I've been seeking sources.

Are you offering oyster shell or some other large particle calcium source?

For waterfowl I'd shoot for 18%.

A plastic egg filled with sand or a ceramic or wooden egg helps.
 
Ok the protein in my feed is 15.5% so any suggestions on what I can give to supplement this? Scrambl eggs? I am going to try some oyster shell too. When I'm at the supplier I'll ask about the Pens and Emps!!!
 
Re47 said:
Ok the protein in my feed is 15.5% so any suggestions on what I can give to supplement this? Scrambl eggs? I am going to try some oyster shell too. When I'm at the supplier I'll ask about the Pens and Emps!!!
Click to expand...
If you can get your duck to eat scrambled eggs I want to know, mine will eat egg shell when I toss them out but no other part of the egg. Make sure to offer the Oyster shell in a separate bowl close to food bowl they will use as needed. Wonder if she may need a protein boost? if you can get some good quality dog or cat kibble you could try offering it as a special treat mine love dog kibble I don't have a cat so haven't tried cat kibble Protein and Oyster shell might help. Worth a try.
 
Duck eggs should be really hard to break. Much, much harder than a chicken egg! Sounds like you need to look at calcium levels in your feed. I always have chick sized and regular sized granite grit available for birds. Also the oyster shell as calcium source. I feed about eighteen per cent grower crumbles since I have all sexes and ages free ranging. High calcium feed can harm male's and young non egg laying youngster's kidneys.

My birds get extra eggs boiled, cooled and chopped up fed back when I have extra. Especially good to feed when moulting or to youngsters. Just don't over feed and make sure all chopped so not recognizable as an egg.
 

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