Ducks need calcium?

[CT]

My ducks eat locally milled layer feed, when they bother to eat feed, which isn't much now that the grass is growing and the bugs are active. They are molting, so from the five girls i am only getting an egg a day. But the shells seem soft, and are often cracked at collection time. Is this a calcium shortage or a molting thing? If they need extra calcium, how can I best work it in to their foraging lifestyle choices?

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks eat locally milled layer feed, when they bother to eat feed, which isn't much now that the grass is growing and the bugs are active. They are molting, so from the five girls i am only getting an egg a day. But the shells seem soft, and are often cracked at collection time. Is this a calcium shortage or a molting thing? If they need extra calcium, how can I best work it in to their foraging lifestyle choices?

I put out Oyster shell separate from their reg feed, they eat a lot of it and they are always foraging, but I don't feed layer since I can have youngsters around I feed an all flock feed. They will eat the oyster shell as needed.

 

[CT]

Maybe they can't reach the oyster shell I have in the chicken coop. I'll try setting out a bowl for them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe they can't reach the oyster shell I have in the chicken coop. I'll try setting out a bowl for them.

 

[Going Quackers]

Definitely put some out for them! i don't feed layer, as i have drakes so i opt that route, all the ducks free range but they do use the oyster shell now & again.

 

[BarneyChick97]

I haven't given oyster shell to my ducks, so far, their eggs have always been good. They free range, and get Flock Raiser. I DO feed them back their egg shells though. They scarf them! They will come running from across the yard if they hear me coming with them. I didn't think they were supposed to lay eggs when they molt? Did I miss something?

 

[Going Quackers]

I haven't given oyster shell to my ducks, so far, their eggs have always been good. They free range, and get Flock Raiser. I DO feed them back their egg shells though. They scarf them! They will come running from across the yard if they hear me coming with them. I didn't think they were supposed to lay eggs when they molt? Did I miss something?

Eggs shells have the calcium, i sell my duck eggs so no shells to give other than my chickens but wouldn't be enough. Mine free range too but i want to make sure their bodies aren't taxed, it takes time for calcium deficiency's to show up.

Sometimes they can go through a molt and lay, depends on how heavy the molt and the staging.