Duck, Duck, Help! (please)

StarryEyed84

Hatching
Jun 1, 2025
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0
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Hoping for wisdom or advice for my girl. I have 4 Pekins, purchased as ducklings in December. Turned out to be 2 male/ 2 female (I realize those are not ideal ratios & have been watching them closely.)

1 female started laying about a month ago. First 2 eggs were wonky, but since then she’s been laying consistently- 3 or 4 days in a row, 1 day off, etc., solid eggs, has a consistent nesting area she’s chosen (we did set up a box for them with fake eggs even & they won’t go near it) no problems.

The other female started laying not long after, but poor girl has had a time. Of I’d say 16+ eggs, 2 have been solid. The rest are paper thin, half shell, etc. She also lays really crazy; no eggs for 3 days then 2 in 1 day, etc., lays them in the water’s edge or just drops them anywhere. I’ve been thinking she’s young, her system is developing, she just needs time. Today she separated herself from the group & they are ALWAYS together, just sat on the pond bank. An hour later there was a papery egg, but she still didn’t join the group, or even eat her watermelon treats after. I’ve put oyster shells out for her, she won’t eat them. She’s fed pellets, treats, and free forages. I’m concerned about her getting egg bound with the papery eggs but I don’t know how to help her if she won’t eat the oyster shells. Please help!
 
Hi.

She’s fed pellets, treats, and free forages.

Do your ducks have an unlimited access to their food... including at night?

And what treats do you feed your girl?

I’m concerned about her getting egg bound with the papery eggs but I don’t know how to help her if she won’t eat the oyster shells. Please help!

Your duck could have a reproductive issue...

...but if ever you want to try my method : I have fixed my soft eggshell issue just by mixing food grade Diatomaceous Earth to my birds' food...

So, I would stop with the treat, and feed the ducks a mix of :
Duck Pellets + Wheat + Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.

(When using food grade DE : put gloves, goggles, and a mask - just in case, you know...?)
 
Are you giving a layer feed? Ducks also need vitamin D to help with the hard shells - is she getting opportunities to be out in the sun? Laying a soft-shelled egg is very hard on them and can make them isolate for hours while they try to push it out - it's so hard to see them suffering. You might try something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMXMYGD1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title or giving her 1 ml of calcium gluconate a day for several days. I have had hit or miss luck....but the best thing I was able to do for one of my girls was give her a suprelorin implant to stop her from laying. I did it a few times, then she re-set over winter and has been fine. It's expensive and hard to find a vet willing to give poultry an implant, but for me it was worth it.
 

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