Weird eggs

[GinaTheDuck]

My Cayuga duck has laid two shell less eggs in one day, stopped laying for about 3 days, and started laying again today but she laid it in the run and it had a strange texture and none of the usual grey color to it. Should I be concerned? What do you guys think could be causing this?

 

[The Phantom]

@Eggcessive

 

[Jpat]

Do you feed layer feed and offer oystershell?

 

[quackiemama]

How old is she? If she is a beginner she may just hit or miss on some days. Jpat has a great point if she is getting enough calcium

 

[Eggcessive]

I am more familiar with chickens than ducks, but laying soft shell eggs, and laying more than once a day may mean that she was egg bound, and her oviduct is not working properly producing shell in the shell gland. I would give human calcium tablets daily for several days if this was a chicken. Calcium is required for the muscles to contract and pass the egg. Are you providing crushed oyster shell? Hopefully, @Miss Lydia will chime in, or youcan post a new thread on the duck thread as well.

 

[GinaTheDuck]

I am more familiar with chickens than ducks, but laying soft shell eggs, and laying more than once a day may mean that she was egg bound, and her oviduct is not working properly producing shell in the shell gland. I would give human calcium tablets daily for several days if this was a chicken. Calcium is required for the muscles to contract and pass the egg. Are you providing crushed oyster shell? Hopefully, @Miss Lydia will chime in, or youcan post a new thread on the duck thread as well.

I don’t think she was eggbound since she laid the day before but I ran out of oyster shell recently so that’s must be it. I’m out of town but I’ll have my dad give her human calcium supplements today. Would a few pills emptied in her feed be good?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am using human calcium citrate for a Runner duck so yes.

 

[Kkrista123]

Is she under a year old? If so this whole thing is completely normal and don't stress! Just let your dad add some calcium until your home to grab oyster shell. They need that oyster shell during their laying seasons! Female ducks have a crazy laying schedule their first year so skipping days is not uncommon along with soft shelled, hard shelled, double layered shelled or no shelled eggs! There's amazing articles and pictures of all on BYC that calmed me down so much when I was in a panic!

Good luck; we hope she feels better as soon as possible!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I am using human calcium citrate for a Runner duck so yes.

I do too and get it at Walmart. It's 600 mg. It does come with vitamin D too which I believe it is more beneficial if you can get it but probably not necessary.

I used to grind up the tablets in my coffee bean grinder but it broke so now I use a hammer. Works just as well! I sprinkle the powder over treats that I know they will totally devour like cut up tomatoes, watermelon. I have had to give this pretty often lately. I think my girls are getting tired of laying because they've been going strong for 5 months now.