Pekin Duck Club!

[Anna6]

Eeeh im freaking out!!
Stella starting laying probably a week back and her eggs were lovely shape and size I even made some delicious quiche. But Tuesday morning I noticed an egg in the pond it was soft, I thought because it was laid in water. That afternoon dad found another soft egg and this is a picture of all the eggs after that.

THEY'RE ALL SOFT !!! And they haven't hardened at all the only hard is her first egg which I have kept.

Has anyone ever had this issue before is it her diet? I don't understand if it is her diet why were the other eggs ok? The only thing that I would say has changed is I have introduced her to watermelon but not excessive amounts.
Any advice and help would be great also there aren't many pet stores around us with duck feed the one I bought from our local just says for adult ducks.. I give her and Stanley some of this and fruit and veg daily but they are always finding bugs in the yard, I also have a bowl of shell grit for them.
But once again any help much appreciated!!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Thats worrisome, okay what is in the adult feed? is it layer ? if not and even if it is get her some oyster shell, you say shell grit is this oyster shell? also I'd get her some calcium gluconate or coral calcium give this to her on a daily basis, to keep your drake from getting extra calcium take a small piece of bread and put the liquid calcium on it and offer it to Stella only. That way she is getting the extra calcium she needs and Stanley won't be getting excess. If she is laying they are old enough to eat adult feed. 

X2

Start with the layer or oyster shell, then go to Ca Gluc if those don't do the trick. But I bet they will. Early on in maturity, it sometimes takes time for the system to work the kinks out.

 

[TeenDuckLady]

SI
This was Si he was my best bud. One day my mother found him without a mark on him. WORST DAY EVER!

Since then I now have a 4-5 week old Pekin named Bubbles. He is doing GREAT!

BUBBLES

 

[BattleFires]

Hello! I'm new to the site but I've had ducks for about a year. I currently have two adult Pekins, two adult Muscovies, two duckling Pekins and a duckling Rouen. I've started them all as ducklings. There were two drakes but they have since gone to freezer camp.

One of the Pekins I picked up two weeks ago doesn't seem to be growing as fast as the other. It's pretty skinny and has a hoarse sounding peep. The other two ducklings seem to be growing well so I can't figure out what the problem is.

Anybody have an idea?

 

[wildsam]

Hello! I'm new to the site but I've had ducks for about a year. I currently have two adult Pekins, two adult Muscovies, two duckling Pekins and a duckling Rouen. I've started them all as ducklings. There were two drakes but they have since gone to freezer camp.

One of the Pekins I picked up two weeks ago doesn't seem to be growing as fast as the other. It's pretty skinny and has a hoarse sounding peep. The other two ducklings seem to be growing well so I can't figure out what the problem is.

Anybody have an idea?

Might be a deficiency. My Rouen duckling had that. Gave him chick electrolytes (from the feed store or TCS etc) and some niacin. The niacin HAS to be non flush and not a slow release one either. If you can't find niacin in the store go on eBay.
Mix 500mg niacin in 1 gal drinking water for them. Won't hurt the others either so it's oki if you only have one watered that everyone can get to. You should see slow improvements within a few days. Hopefully.

If not, I'm not sure what else you could try.

 

[latb611]

These are my 4 week old babies!

 

[Miss Lydia]

These are my 4 week old babies!

Beautiful

 

[Julez21]

I too, have 2 Pekin ducklings.......how soon should I put "a bowl" of water in the brooder for them? They are in the brooder with 6 baby chicks (5 wks old), and I have been cleaning the cage twice a day cuz the ducks are so messy!! (God love em, though!!) Can I give any kinds of treats, yet?? :O)

 

[Going Quackers]

I too, have 2 Pekin ducklings.......how soon should I put "a bowl" of water in the brooder for them? They are in the brooder with 6 baby chicks (5 wks old), and I have been cleaning the cage twice a day cuz the ducks are so messy!! (God love em, though!!) Can I give any kinds of treats, yet?? :O)

I wouldn't ever lol a bowl will flood the place, and they will be in it! are the pekin 5wks too? this sticky has a good idea on a container to reduce water spillage but still allow for nare cleaning

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

As for treats here is a chart, anything beyond their staple feed you'll need some chick grit

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

As for mess, personally i'd pull the ducklings and create their own brooder... or move chicks elsewhere as two just aren't the best for compatibility due to the mess of ducks and their massive growth compared to chicks.

 

[BarnChickyOO]

Quote:
I'd like to be added!