[BrambleCat]

Hi all,
I have 3 runner ducks in the back garden. I have recently fenced them in to give them part of the garden, not all (I'd like a lawn again!) They've had a few weeks to get used to this. However, We've had a spate of odd eggs recently. Some are normal eggs with a rough deposit on the outside, some are soft shelled and some (one particular duck) have become an odd shape. This duck incidentally developed a very loud quack over a week in which I was away and a friend was looking after them. Whether this is related to the odd egg shape I don't know! (I'd quack if I was laying almost round eggs!) I have had a few thoughts - we had builders in the garden for a couple of days last week. Their routine might be a bit altered whilst the friend was looking after them - he was feeding twice as much. They might not have access to as much grit etc now they're fenced in. I've never fed grit / oyster shell etc to my chickens or ducks as they've been fine having the run of the garden eating soil / snail shells etc.

Any suggestions why we're getting these odd eggs?

Cheers,
Cat

[JulieS]

I know that chickens can lay odd eggs if there has been something that has upset them, or a change of some sort.  If ducks are the same then I would think that the changes you describe might be a reason.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge of ducks will be along to advise you soon.
 

[doganjo]

If my ducks routine is upset for any reason they stop laying for a day or two, but I haven't noticed any unusual eggs.  I do sometimes get rough shells, no particular reason that I can tell, and the occasional soft shell is usually for lack of grit as you rightly said.

[northfifeduckling]

I had one the other day that looked crumpled or "knitted" but it was by a hen, I don't know what triggered it. I do get the odd one with hard bits on the outside. I've not had a soft shell from an adult since I am giving the oyster shell grit. I think this is important as not all the grit they find when freeranging can be processed into eggshell. They only take what they need, so not very expensive. 

[doganjo]

That reminds me, I meant to put some grit down for mine.

[shetlandpaul]

we have a hen thats laying flatish eggs. she must have damaged herself but to find her in the flock is near impossable. we have been getting some huge eggs .