My Silkie had been sitting on 13 eggs and 8 hatched yesterday. When she left the nest and I was clearing the eggs that did not hatch I noticed 3 that had tried to hatch and could not because there was an egg completely in tact within the egg. The first shell had broken off but the chick could not make it through the both shells, but had tried! I have heard of eggs like this before , but is it normal to have this many and what causes it to happen? She gets high quality laying food by Purina, oyster shells, snacks and lots of fresh water. She is a new layer and being a Silkie she went broody right away. She is a great little Mom so far and has darling babies! I will post photos later!
