How much oyster shell?

[DucksOhio]

My girls (khakis and welshies) are normally pretty good egg producers. The last couple weeks, I’ve seen too many weak-shelled broken eggs and twice a shellless egg. I used to get 7-9 eggs a day. Now I’m lucky if I get 4.

I put out about a half cup each of scratch and peck flaked oyster shells In 2 separate bowls at night. They are going through pretty much all of it. Maybe I need to put out more? It’s 16 bucks for a 4 lb bag, and they are going through about 3-4 bags a month.

Their other feed is Mazuri waterfowl maintenance, dried mealworms and peas.

Honestly, I could care less about the eggs, but I don’t want them to develop any reproductive health issues.

thanks for your help, as always.

 

[R2elk]

My girls (khakis and welshies) are normally pretty good egg producers. The last couple weeks, I’ve seen too many weak-shelled broken eggs and twice a shellless egg. I used to get 7-9 eggs a day. Now I’m lucky if I get 4.

I put out about a half cup each of scratch and peck flaked oyster shells In 2 separate bowls at night. They are going through pretty much all of it. Maybe I need to put out more? It’s 16 bucks for a 4 lb bag, and they are going through about 3-4 bags a month.

Their other feed is Mazuri waterfowl maintenance, dried mealworms and peas.

Honestly, I could care less about the eggs, but I don’t want them to develop any reproductive health issues.

thanks for your help, as always.

I keep oyster shell available free choice all of the time.

 

[Isaac 0]

Forget about small bags of the oyster shell, it's a complete waste of money. You can easily get a 40lb bag for the same price you're paying(less), and will last you a while. Just offer it free choice.

As far as the soft-shelled eggs, that will sometimes happen regardless if a calcium supplement is being provided.

If they were mine, I'd put about 1ml of calcium gluconate over treats per each duck. Or give 1ml to each duck either PO, IM, or SQ, your choice.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...oFmm-b3bCuMNNTCRnnRMhOezeb0y8GvoaAviVEALw_wcB

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/durvet-calcium-gluconate-500-ml

 

[DucksOhio]

Forget about small bags of the oyster shell, it's a complete waste of money. You can easily get a 40lb bag for the same price you're paying(less), and will last you a while. Just offer it free choice.

As far as the soft-shelled eggs, that will sometimes happen regardless if a calcium supplement is being provided.

If they were mine, I'd put about 1ml of calcium gluconate over treats per each duck. Or give 1ml to each duck either PO, IM, or SQ, your choice.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...oFmm-b3bCuMNNTCRnnRMhOezeb0y8GvoaAviVEALw_wcB

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/durvet-calcium-gluconate-500-ml

Thanks for the links. I’ve seen the manna pro product, always thought the pellets were too large. If your ducks use them, I’ll try that.

The calcium glutanate, I have seen that at TSC, but thought it was just for cattle.

i don’t have individual bowls for each duck...I do 2 bowls of each for pellets, mealworms, peas, and oyster shells.

I like the idea of sprinkles of the calcium over treats. I have 9 girls, 2 drakes. Will the extra calcium be harmful to the drakes?

 

[Isaac 0]

Thanks for the links. I’ve seen the manna pro product, always thought the pellets were too large. If your ducks use them, I’ll try that.

The calcium glutanate, I have seen that at TSC, but thought it was just for cattle.

i don’t have individual bowls for each duck...I do 2 bowls of each for pellets, mealworms, peas, and oyster shells.

I like the idea of sprinkles of the calcium over treats. I have 9 girls, 2 drakes. Will the extra calcium be harmful to the drakes?

I have used that brand for years, and never had problems. I'd give it a try.

The CG can be given to birds even though its for cattle use.

I would separate the males when you offer the treats, as excess amounts can cause internal damage if it's given over an extended period of time.