Soft shell egg--first egg for my last non-laying duck?

[Duckworth]

X2, definetly something to pay attention to. If problem persists, time to think about supplementing a calcium that's easier to absorb, like calcium citrate.

It hasn't recurred so far and I've found three eggs in the nest each morning since. I'm wondering whether something startled, frightened or distressed my ducks in a way that caused one of them to loose her egg prematurely. I found it right by the door of the pen where they all like to sit and hang out.

Sometimes, the ducks will taunt our dogs by going nose to beak with them through the door, then suddenly pecking toward the dog's nose, provoking the dog to lunge (backwards, since there's nowhere forward to go). The door has 1/4 inch HW cloth mounted to the inside, with a steel grate over it mounted to the outside, so there's little likelihood that my dog could actually breach the door.

 

[casportpony]

It hasn't recurred so far and I've found three eggs in the nest each morning since. I'm wondering whether something startled, frightened or distressed my ducks in a way that caused one of them to loose her egg prematurely. I found it right by the door of the pen where they all like to sit and hang out.

Sometimes, the ducks will taunt our dogs by going nose to beak with them through the door, then suddenly pecking toward the dog's nose, provoking the dog to lunge (backwards, since there's nowhere forward to go). The door has 1/4 inch HW cloth mounted to the inside, with a steel grate over it mounted to the outside, so there's little likelihood that my dog could actually breach the door.

Sometimes it happens, just keep an eye out for more softies or a drop in egg production. If you see a drop, take a good look at all of your hens and make sure they look and act 100% normal.

 

[Duckworth]

Sometimes it happens, just keep an eye out for more softies or a drop in egg production. If you see a drop, take a good look at all of your hens and make sure they look and act 100% normal.

Thank you! They have been 100% consistent since each of them started laying and this one soft-shelled egg has, so far, been an anomaly. I'll add the calcium citrate if it looks like there are further problems. I still have one duck not laying, but I don't know which one.

 

[casportpony]

I bet they'll be fine.

 

[chickens really]

Thank you! They have been 100% consistent since each of them started laying and this one soft-shelled egg has, so far, been an anomaly. I'll add the calcium citrate if it looks like there are further problems. I still have one duck not laying, but I don't know which one.

No need to panic...Chickens also when first layers lay strange eggs too...Actually all birds do....Just put out oyster shell in a separate dish ..

 

[Duckworth]

I bet they'll be fine.

You and several other duck keepers on this sight are so generous with your time and experience. I really appreciate you!

 

[pamelajean]

I found a shell-less egg this morning. I have three young ducks, and have been getting one egg per day for the past 9 days, so only one is laying so far. Now this. Thanks to this post I am tending to think it is just a normal thing. Tomorrow will tell if this is going to be a reoccurring issue.

 

[casportpony]

I found a shell-less egg this morning. I have three young ducks, and have been getting one egg per day for the past 9 days, so only one is laying so far. Now this. Thanks to this post I am tending to think it is just a normal thing. Tomorrow will tell if this is going to be a reoccurring issue.

The occasional softy can be normal, just keep a close eye on them and make sure none look depressed.

I've had many *hundreds* of new layers, of many species (Muscovies, Mallards, Rouens, Runners, Pekins, chickiens, quinea fowl, turkeys, pigeons, doves, and peafowl). If I notice more that one shell-less egg from a hen, she gets extra calcium. Found some pictures of what can happen when they retain an egg, so I will post those later and maybe then you all can see why I choose to be safe rather than sorry.

 

[casportpony]

You and several other duck keepers on this sight are so generous with your time and experience. I really appreciate you!

Thanks! Glad you find our info helpful.

 

[pamelajean]

What I thought was one shell-less egg was indeed two. One egg actually had a very very weak shell. Can't wait until tomorrow....hope to see a regular egg again. Trying not to worry. There is all the info I need here though if they need more than their free choice oyster shells.