Duck eggs!

[Blondi5431]

Our ducks just started laying as of this week. They have an area to nest, however they are laying in random spots, even their pool! Every single one of the shells are very thin, todays shells were the thinnest yet. Also, one day there were two very different sized eggs. Can one duck be laying all of these eggs? We have 3 females. I’ve read they need calcium in this case, is that the only “fix” or are they normal for first time layers? Thank you!!

 

[Steven Bussell]

I'm no expert... but from what I have learned this happens a lot for new layers.
Are you offering oyster shells on the side .TS has 50 lb. bags cheap. I believe it was around $10

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

Here is some info that may help...JJ

https://www.metzerfarms.com/MaximizingEggProduction.cfm

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Ducks mostly don't care where they lay. I've had mine drop one when they stood on tiptoes for the water bowl. Also had them hide them. You should be providing oyster shell.

 

[DucksOhio]

Agree with providing crushed oyster shells.
I believe when they first start laying, the eggs won’t be perfect. It may take a little time.

 

[Callender Girl]

While my chickens spend a good deal of time -- sometimes literally waiting in line for the favored nesting box -- my ducks often drop eggs wherever and quickly. I find eggs along the driveway, beside their swimming pool, in the amsonia bed, inside someone else's coop.

Mine have access to a large bowl of oyster shell that they share with the chickens when everyone is out during the day. Egg-laying sometimes takes some practice to get perfect.

 

[quackiemama]

My ducks will drop an egg randomly if I let them out of their house too early. Mine usually prefer to lay in their house but boy do they hide them well. My girls had some thin shelled eggs when their bodies were working out the kinks on their 1st cycle. I always provide oyster shell on the side and they do go through it. Sometimes I even feed them the raw thin shelled eggs so I am not wasting them. They love it.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Crushed Oyster shells and when you can, collect the shells of the eggs you use, dry them, grind them up and mix them with the Oyster shells. As an emergency measure buy some Calcium-Gluconate.
Since i have deposited some fake wooden eggs in the house, our Duckies have stared to build shared nests in each and every corner of their house and lay their eggs there. They even run inside, drop an egg, grab a bite and a sip of water and come back out.