Shell-less eggs

[ringaring]

My 9 runners have started laying these last 2 weeks. I recall with 80 chickens we only had 2 eggs without shells during the whole time they were practicing. Today I found 2 out of five eggs without shells. It seems a high percentage compared to the chickens. They get calcium, mixed poultry crumble, 1 cup of peas and 2 cups of scratch daily. Am I missing something? How many shell-less eggs is average while they are practicing? Could it be due to stress or environmental factors? Any feedback appreciated.

 

[Amiga]

Well, I would back off on the scratch for a couple of weeks, since that (I think) doesn't have much in the way of calcium in it, so eating that is reducing the proportion of calcium they get in their diet.

Also, what percentage calcium does the mixed poultry crumble have? I use layer pellets, free choice oyster shell, and some of my ducks still need the occasional extra boost, so I will add calcium gluconate to their drinking water overnight from time to time (1 teaspoon per 4 ounces of water).

When my ducks started to lay, they would sometimes produce soft or no-shelled eggs. Part of that was their playing hop on top would push the eggs out too soon.

 

[ringaring]

Thanks. Although it will probably put them out a little since they love their scratch, they'll get over it. They have 2 feeders with free calcium , but the CaGluconate sounds like a great idea. Thanks.