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Rouen laying soft eggs quite frequently

post #1 of 3
7/16/12 at 10:45am
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My 1+ year old Rouen duck Ella has been laying eggs for awhile.  Lately, say in the last month, she has been laying soft eggs at least 2-3 times a week.  She lays an egg every day.  I have her and her mate on Flock Raiser, and she gets some free choice oyster shells to supplement her feed.  I put oyster shells directly in the feed for my chickens, but I don't want to do this for the ducks b/c I suspect excess calcium isn't good for my drake.  What can I do to supplement Ella's calcium intake?  They are very picky ducks and won't eat yogurt or cottage cheese. 

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post #2 of 3
7/16/12 at 10:55am
Have you tryed crushed egg shells.I have no problem with my drake an calcium
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post #3 of 3
7/16/12 at 11:00am
I'm sure that's a bit of a worry to you, to see those soft eggs. Since your girl has been laying them regularly I'd agree that things are not quite right. In birds that have recently started laying, some cases soft eggs are not unusual. But your bird is older and I'd so I'd say that her system has gone awry in some way.

Sometimes continual hot weather can affect shell quality as it affects the way the body processes calcium. What's the weather been like for the past few weeks?

Other possibilities include an infection of the shell gland (where the shell is put on). If its that your duck would need antibiotics from a vet. Is she also laying eggs with shells? What is the shell quality like on these eggs? Is is thin or rough or irregularly shaped?

Apart from the hot weather issue, an actual calcium deficiency is possible but not as likely as is commonly assumed. I would not add calcium or grit into their feed - an overdose of calcium is as bad as an underdose. Offering it on the side is a good thing, as you are already doing.
Swedish ducks in Black, Blue and Splash
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Swedish ducks in Black, Blue and Splash
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