Ducks keep breaking eggs

[CoriM]

I have three pekins who have been laying eggs for the past few months. Up until a few weeks ago, there was no problem with breakage, except occasionally a soft shelled one would be broken. I have two nesting boxes, but they prefer to all lay in the same one. For the past few weeks there's been 1-2 broken eggs every single morning. I'm mystified as to why this would start all of a sudden. I've tried golf balls in the nest in order to deter in case they're eating them, but that didn't make a difference. I let the ducks out at daybreak, and the eggs are already laid and cool, so I don't think I can get in there before they break them. Any ideas? It's driving me crazy!

 

[CoriM]

I would add that they have constant access to oyster shells. The only change I've made in the last few weeks is that I switched them from fermented whole grains to pellets. Also, two of my pekins are on antibiotics.

 

[PirateGirl]

It's possible that someone is laying thin shelled eggs, which simply can get broken more easily.

Make sure they have oyster shell available in a dish at all times. It wouldn't hurt to feed their eggshells back to them either, but this is not a substitute for oyster shell.

I've found I get thinner eggs during molt, and also as they approach their winter laying break.

Lots of soft bedding in their favorite laying spot ensures a bit of a cushion too.

 

[PirateGirl]

@CoriM I see that you just updated... perhaps their bodies are just not as efficient right now if they are fighting an infection and on antibiotics.

 

[CoriM]

@PirateGirl I hope that's it and this is short-lived. I wondered if the antibiotics would affect shells. I put lots of bedding in their boxes, but they usually arrange their nest so that they're laying almost on the ground.