Soft Duck Eggs

[Candyland430]

Hello everyone! Hoping someone will give me some input on my ducks laying soft eggs. I have 3 hens and I usually have 2 eggs every morning but on occasion have 3. I do once in a while find a soft egg in the pen. This morning I collected 2 eggs. I checked them this afternoon and found a soft egg. I checked the pen throughly to make sure I removed it all from the straw since it had been broken open. I just went out to shut them in for the night and found 2 more soft eggs. What is going on? Do I need to be concerned? They were hatched in April so they aren’t a year old yet. There is a drake in with them and I keep them on purina duck pellets with free access to oyster shell. Any thoughts?

 

[aart]

What breed of ducks?
Is there calcium in the feed, what percentage?
Are they eating the Oyster Shell?

 

[Ratchnick]

Soft eggs can be common in young layers.

 

[quackiemama]

I feed the exact same thing and provide oyster shell on the side and they have been devouring it. My youngest 3 were hatched at end of April and I did get some soft eggs for a little bit but they seem to be working it out. If I remember correctly Calcium Citrate is good when you have soft shelled eggs @DuckyDonna am I correct?

 

[Candyland430]

They are all Pekins. Not sure of the calcium ratio in the feed. Talked to my Purina dealer and they said to offer oyster shell on the side but otherwise was a complete diet for ducks. I offered some layer feed on the side this morning because I am afraid of an egg bound hen. I know for sure at least one is eating the oyster shell because I have seen her. Not sure if all 3 have taken to it.

 

[aart]

Not sure of the calcium ratio in the feed.

Should say on the tag sewn into bottom of bag.
It's Purina.....waht does front of bag say?

 

[Candyland430]

Just says Purina duck pellets on the front. I will check the nutrition percentages when I get home today. They did tell me I would need to supplement with oyster shell. What age do they usually stop laying soft shelled eggs if it is just due to their being young?

 

[quackiemama]

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/products/detail/purina-duck-feed-pellets
If this is what you are feeding then here you are. This is exactly what I feed all of mine and I too provide oyster shell on side as needed. This way my drake does not get too much calcium from layer food. Usually the softer eggs are just due to an immature reproductive system and it will usually go away. My runners from last year layed soft eggs at the beginning of their 1st laying cycle and then again when they were about to take a break. My ducks love this food.

 

[Candyland430]

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/products/detail/purina-duck-feed-pellets
If this is what you are feeding then here you are. This is exactly what I feed all of mine and I too provide oyster shell on side as needed. This way my drake does not get too much calcium from layer food. Usually the softer eggs are just due to an immature reproductive system and it will usually go away. My runners from last year layed soft eggs at the beginning of their 1st laying cycle and then again when they were about to take a break. My ducks love this food.

That’s it! I am feeding them the same so my drake doesn’t get too much calcium either. I’ve noticed only an egg a day in their coop last few days so I am thinking maybe they are slowing for the season. Do you think the soft eggs will just sort themselves out then? I am hoping it is just due to age. My first year with ducks do I am a tad bit nervous.

 

[quackiemama]

That’s it! I am feeding them the same so my drake doesn’t get too much calcium either. I’ve noticed only an egg a day in their coop last few days so I am thinking maybe they are slowing for the season. Do you think the soft eggs will just sort themselves out then? I am hoping it is just due to age. My first year with ducks do I am a tad bit nervous.

I am thinking it will sort itself out. My ducks are starting to slow down a little bit too. Just keep an eye on them if you see anything unusual. You do not want one getting egg bound.