Perkins laying eggs without a shell

[Homestead1]

Hi can anyone give me some advise I have three Peking ducks they are two and a half years old. The last two months they have stopped laying daily and when they do lay they lay soft eggs. They have access to oyster shell. I did feed them on layers pellets but because of the problem I’ve tried fancy feeds wild fowl pellets because that food is specifically for them. Although I have changed their pellets I still have this problem. I have been giving them Kale and they have a little melon daily.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’d start by giving them some calcium citrate it’s human calcium but seems to help the best when soft shell present themselves. You can find it at most pharmacies in tablet which you can crush up and mix into something like chopped tomatoes or sprinkle over the melon you give. I bought on line and mine came in capsule but works the same just offer over something tasty. 50 mg per pound of body weight. Try this for a week along with the oyster shell.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I’d start by giving them some calcium citrate it’s human calcium but seems to help the best when soft shell present themselves. You can find it at most pharmacies in tablet which you can crush up and mix into something like chopped tomatoes or sprinkle over the melon you give. I bought on line and mine came in capsule but works the same just offer over something tasty. 50 mg per pound of body weight. Try this for a week along with the oyster shell.

This is what I got but the capsules would be better. I have to take a hammer and smash up the tablets and sprinkle over food because I couldn't find the capsules.

 

[townchicks]

You can buy pill crushers at any pharmacy. They are not expensive, and I find it much easier and less messy than a hammer. Though sometimes, a hammer can be very therapeutic

 

[DuckyDonna]

You can buy pill crushers at any pharmacy. They are not expensive, and I find it much easier and less messy than a hammer. Though sometimes, a hammer can be very therapeutic

I never thought about that! I used to have a coffee bean grinder that I used to do it. Turned them to powder in 2 seconds but then it tore up so I use the hammer. If you start out very gently it doesn't make a mess and it can be very therapeutic!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve put pills into a baggie and used the hammer works pretty good too.

 

[chickens really]

Stop feeding kale and feed a Grower finisher feed for Ducks , turkeys, chickens and Geese. You can mix a bowl of oyster shell with feed to encourage them to consume the shell.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony just posted some info on the myth that kale and spinach shouldn’t be fed to birds hopefully she’ll share.

I found it!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/spinach-and-oxalic-acid.1327080/

 

[casportpony]

Okay, so I gotta ask, why pill crushers? Why not just give the pill orally and be done with it?

 

[Homestead1]

Thank you for your replies I really appreciate it. I will get some calcium citrate and stop the kale. Fingers crossed this will sort the problem out.
Yesterday one of them laid a tiny egg it did have a tiny yolk what’s that all about. My three Pekins are the first lot of ducks I have had they are beautiful and have lots of character.