I have read many posts from breeders with the dark hard shelled eggs. They have a hard time hatching. Some even file the shell before setting. And I always hatch in trays. I have lost chicks due to egg bowling from excited hatchers. Never again. I bought these awesome trays where they get good...
I have read about this many times. I have yet to see anyone fix it. But I have seen a chick go on to live and grown. I would hate to be in your position to make the choice and then explain the decision to your daughter. Good Luck
I have seen it, they say heart issues. And common in silkies and other bantams. Breeding to get the smallest bird leads to heart defects. Dont know how true this is, but it sure made me feel better. I felt like there was nothing more I could have done, and it was not something I caused. I have...
Mine are project silkies. But she has Chocolate bantam orpington eggs; Chocolate Ameraucanas, and Bantam Chocolate Ameraucanas. Mine looks like an Orp cause an orp was used for the chocolate gene in the silkie project. It is getting more of the silkie characteristics now.
Have you tried rice? They say to put in a shallow dish and turn daily. Bring rice on bottom to the top. I also have heard people use those packets you get in pills that absorbs moisture.