Eggs without a shell

[Smiele]

Hi! I’m new to raising ducks and am finding they are a great addition to the family. This afternoon I found an egg without a shell and just a yolk near it. I have 3 ducks who are 18 weeks old. Two are laying eggs with hard shells so I think their feed is ok. Is this normal?

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

When I have one do this I give them human oral calcium citrate pills, oral calcium gluconate, or injectable calcium gluconate (calcium gluconate is in the cattle section of feed stores). I don't recommend tums because it's the type of calcium that is not absorbed as easily.

The dose I give mine is about 50 mg per pound once or twice a day for a few days.

 

[Smiele]

Thanks for the quick reply. Can I give the calcium to all my ducks since I’m not sure which one has the problem? Also, how do I give it to them?

 

[casportpony]

I would try to figure out which one is doing it.

 

[Smiele]

Ok will do.
Thanks again for the reply.

 

[casportpony]

Are they getting layer feed or something else?

 

[casportpony]

If they aren't getting layer then it is probably okay to give all of them extra calcium. Too much calcium can actually cause problems and layer feed is pretty high in calcium compared to all flock.

 

[Smiele]

I started them on layer feed 2 weeks ago. I have been getting normal eggs from 2 of my ducks so I don’t think that’s the issue.

 

[casportpony]

Mine get layer too, but every now and then I get one that needs extra calcium.

 

[Smiele]

How do you know which one? I find the 2 eggs are laid during the night.