concerning pattern of strange soft-shelled eggs

[CoriM]

Until a week or so ago I had been keeping my ducks out in their run until 8:30-9 with low-light Christmas lights outside. Then I started putting them to bed and turning off all lights by 6:30, as I didn't realize that keeping them up later than daylight might be harmful for their reproductive system. I'm sure the timing has to be a coincidence, but ever since I made the change my 20 month old pekin has laid three softshell eggs with this weird thing at the end, and laid them mid-day, which is unusual, though it's happened on occasion before with one duck or another. She also laid a cracked egg - not sure if that was soft-shelled, and a tiny egg, pictured below. I'm concerned about what's going on with her. She has constant access to oyster shells, and I just ordered Grublies for extra calcium, and have offered those a couple days - they don't really take to them yet. How worried should I be about this? Any suggestions?

 

[KaleIAm]

I've had tiny "fairy eggs," before, usually when first starting up laying for the year. I mentioned it to my vet once and they just chuckled and said, "oh yeah!" So I think that is likely not an issue.

I've never seen an egg with a tail before. I had one with a, "hat," and I took it in to the vet. They looked at it under a microscope and disolved it in some solutions and told me it was just eggshell material and egg white.

For soft shelled eggs I always get my ducks' calcium levels checked. Their levels are usually fine and the vet has me supplement them for 30 days anyway to see what happens. You could try to just supplement. It usually comes in a liquid, but I have bought tablets for people and given those. Do you still prefer to give tablets?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

 

[CoriM]

Okay, thanks Kale. I've had a couple tiny eggs before as well, but hard-shelled, and just thought that it was weird since she's also been giving the ones with "tails". I can do liquid or tablets. Do you have one you recommend?

 

[KaleIAm]

Okay, thanks Kale. I've had a couple tiny eggs before as well, but hard-shelled, and just thought that it was weird since she's also been giving the ones with "tails". I can do liquid or tablets. Do you have one you recommend?

My vet gave me calcium gluconate syrup. I've heard you can buy it over the counter, perhaps at feed stores?

When I've had to give it long term I searched for calcium gluconate on Amazon and bought tablets so I could hide them in tomatoes. I'm not sure if what I bought was better than anything else. Just that my vet told me calcium gluconate is easier for them to absorb.

Freeda Kosher Calcium Gluconate 500 Veg Caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CNS3T2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_boL-FbHETJ11Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[CoriM]

Thanks Kale! I will get something and try it.

 

[Isaac 0]

Calcium Gluconate 23% is available at most feed stores. Just as Kale's vet prescribed, you give 1ml daily, orally, IM, or SQ.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/durvet-calcium-gluconate-500-ml

 

[CoriM]

Thanks!

 

[KaleIAm]

Calcium Gluconate 23% is available at most feed stores. Just as Kale's vet prescribed, you give 1ml daily, orally, IM, or SQ.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/durvet-calcium-gluconate-500-ml

@Isaac 0 my vet changes the dose depending on the weight of my bird. Do you always give 1ml?

 

[CoriM]

My duck is ten pounds

 

[KaleIAm]

My duck is ten pounds

The duck that label was for weighed about 3.5 or 4lbs. Another duck, Gingersnap, I had who weighed about 6lbs was getting about 1.35mls, I couldn't find her label I probably threw it away. I know there can be problems from too much calcium, though, so perhaps without blood tests it is best to stick with 1ml.