Duck egg issues

[Madizen]

We have three khaki females, one is laying great eggs every day, one is laying mostly every day but they seem to be getting broken or cracked open and consumed and my last girl isn't as regular and today dropped a "jello" egg! They have layer feed, crushed shell, grit and are all 1 year old. We give occasional kale and grapes for treats. Any suggestions?

 

[ChicagoDucks]

We have three khaki females, one is laying great eggs every day, one is laying mostly every day but they seem to be getting broken or cracked open and consumed and my last girl isn't as regular and today dropped a "jello" egg! They have layer feed, crushed shell, grit and are all 1 year old. We give occasional kale and grapes for treats. Any suggestions?

That is strange. It sounds like you are feeding them the right things! How much are they eating? And do they have equal access to the feed? Or does the good layer eat it all herself?

 

[cayugaducklady]

Is the oyster shell out free choice or is it being mixed in with their food?

I feed free choice from a oyster shell station that has 3 openings so they can all eat at the same time because my girls really gobble it down.

My hens also have an oyster shell preference. The don't like the pelleted shell. They prefer the crushed shell. I keep pelleted on hand for emergencies but they'll scavenge calcium from the limestone mortar around our field stone structures before they eat the pellets.

Calcium absorption/utilization is complex. It needs the right balance of calcium to phosphorus and vitamin D and hormones produced by the body.

My girls really enjoy eating their own egg shells but any egg shells will do.

Carrots are naturally high in calcium. Canned carrots ( low sodium) or cooked/steamed carrots are a super easy treat.