Soft shell egg

[Taralynnludwig]

I have 7 girls most of which have just started to lay in jnauary. Today i got my regular 5 eggs and then one of the girls (or 2) laid 2 eggs in the middle of the yard. One was no shelled and opened up on the ground the other was no shell but whole. They are on purina layer chicken food and have access to oyster shell, though they usually just dump it out. Anything to be worried about? They free range from 9 am to 7 or 8 pm and then are kenneled and cooped inside the kennel

 

[tinakevin]

That's normal with new layers. I had one that did that too. She laid a shelless egg right there on the ground then went on her merry way. The others ate it. She is fine. Nothing to worry about

 

[Taralynnludwig]

Thats what i thought, but was surprised by the 2 eggs! Not sure if they were by the same girl or both of the 2 who have yet to start laying. Everyone seems perfectly happy. My dog licked up the cracked one and i removed the other one. Tried to post a video but not sure how lol

 

[Amiga]

Hi,

for future reference, you may want to add a boost of calcium to their food or water from time to time. I use layer feed, and set out oyster shell, and still with mature ducks can get soft eggs and see obvious egg stress. The calcium fixes all that.

I have used calcium gluconate liquid, but find that calcium citrate is less expensive and easier to figure dosage.

To keep our ducks from continually tipping over or pooping in their oyster shell, I made a dispenser. Works very well. I used a one gallon vinegar bottle and cut it down and screwed it a few inches above the floor to a stud in their night pen.