Very soft shelles egg.

[SolarDuck]

Today I think I got my first egg from my duck named Pigeon, unfortunately it is a completely soft shell. She already has access to a few different piles of oyster shell throughout my yard, and there is just naturally a lot of shell grit in my yard as I live in Florida and my yard is pretty sandy. I'm kind of concerned because I know egg laying issues can turn into medical issues. Is there anything I can do to kind of encourage her to use the piles of oyster shell? Or anything else I could do that would help with shell production? My other duck penguin lays eggs with rock solid shells that are way harder to crack than normal chicken eggs. Also I have no idea what to do with this soft shelled egg any ideas?

 

[SolarDuck]

Here is a video I just took of her, it seems that she is just acting a little off and her backside keeps going down. Could this be a sign of egg binding? @Miss Lydia

 

[KaleIAm]

Personally I wouldn't be too concerned because she is a new layer, and you have recently introduced a new duck to the backyard, right? I would pay attention and if it continues address the situation then. Also, watch her for symptoms. I have taken my ducks to the vet for soft shelled eggs before, that looked just like the one you found, but not if it was just one and not if something stressful just happened. When I have they test my duck for calcium levels and then send me home with calcium gluconate syrup either way. You can buy it over the counter.

Are you feeding layer pellets? Also what kind of oyster shell are you offering? I found that my ducks refuse to eat the white kind and love the grey kind that actually looks like oyster shells. They didn't recognize it as an edible item at first so I topped it with a few mealworms several times daily for a few weeks until they ate it on their own.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/
Soft shell eggs

These eggs are laid with an incomplete shell, sometimes just a thin layer of calcium. Causes are similar to shell less eggs:

- Immature shell gland;

- Nutritional deficiencies, usually lack of calcium, vitamins E, B12 and D as well as phosphorous and selenium;

- Disease such as infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, egg drop syndrome; an internal or external parasite infestation;

- Exposure to very high temperatures and/or very high or low humidity levels;

- Egg laid prematurely due to stress or a disturbance during the calcification process;

- Egg laying while molting.

 

[SolarDuck]

Personally I wouldn't be too concerned because she is a new layer, and you have recently introduced a new duck to the backyard, right? I would pay attention and if it continues address the situation then. Also, watch her for symptoms. I have taken my ducks to the vet for soft shelled eggs before, that looked just like the one you found, but not if it was just one and not if something stressful just happened. When I have they test my duck for calcium levels and then send me home with calcium gluconate syrup either way. You can buy it over the counter.

Are you feeding layer pellets? Also what kind of oyster shell are you offering? I found that my ducks refuse to eat the white kind and love the grey kind that actually looks like oyster shells. They didn't recognize it as an edible item at first so I topped it with a few mealworms several times daily for a few weeks until they ate it on their own.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/
Soft shell eggs

These eggs are laid with an incomplete shell, sometimes just a thin layer of calcium. Causes are similar to shell less eggs:

- Immature shell gland;

- Nutritional deficiencies, usually lack of calcium, vitamins E, B12 and D as well as phosphorous and selenium;

- Disease such as infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, egg drop syndrome; an internal or external parasite infestation;

- Exposure to very high temperatures and/or very high or low humidity levels;

- Egg laid prematurely due to stress or a disturbance during the calcification process;

- Egg laying while molting.

I am not feeding layer pellets just duck feed. I wasn't aware there were multiple kinds of oyster shells I've only ever seen the white ones.

 

[SolarDuck]

Here is another video it seems like she is trying to squeeze something out.. one of the times she did it 1 single drop of clear viscous liquid came out.

 

[KaleIAm]

Here is another video it seems like she is trying to squeeze something out.. one of the times she did it 1 single drop of clear viscous liquid came out.

Oh, I didn't see you posted a video. Must have been while I was typing. I agree with you it does look like she is trying to push something out. My vet told me that without a hard shell the muscles have a hard time pushing the egg out.

I'm very sorry to say, but I actually would be worried and I would take my duck to the vet. A lot of people treat their ducks at home with warm baths and calcium. I'm not saying your duck is eggbound - she'd need a vet and radiographs for a diagnosis. My vet also gave me nsaids when my duck was eggbound. I'm not great at home treatment because I always go in.

 

[SolarDuck]

Man.... alright I'm gonna sit here with her for a little while and see if she gets anything out if not I guess I will call a vet, not sure if ill be able to afford it though...

Any ideas @Isaac 0 ?

 

[KaleIAm]

Man.... alright I'm gonna sit here with her for a little while and see if she gets anything out if not I guess I will call a vet, not sure if ill be able to afford it though...

Any ideas @Isaac 0 ?

My vet also had me put my eggbound duck in a quiet dimly lit stress free nesting box.

But, I can't say that she's eggbound. Just that if she is it might help.

I'm sorry. Isaac will have more helpful at home advice.

 

[Mvan42]

Sounds like shwbis a first time layer. If so its normal (at least for chickens) to lay small or soft eggs.. don't worry to much unless it continues longer than a few days.

 

[KaleIAm]

Sounds like shwbis a first time layer. If so its normal (at least for chickens) to lay small or soft eggs.. don't worry to much unless it continues longer than a few days.

That's what I was thinking at first as well, but did you watch the video? Now she is straining.