Quote: Sometimes veining development can look like a blood ring. I never remove any eggs until at least Day 10. I've had a few surprise me that looked like blood rings, but developed and hatched.
That is something I have wondered about. All Icelandic chickens now are descended from a small flock that was on an isolated island. The breed was thought to be lost before that flock was found, and since then conservation efforts have been made to expand the numbers. Icees can't be bred out with other breeds because of their unique bloodlines and how long they were isolated with the Vikings. It is good to know that there are others breeds having this same issue, though, and not just my birds. Thank you.
All rare breeds have issues of some sort. I have never had any problem hatching Icelandics though, they are sturdy little buggers.
I keep getting asked by my hubby and roommate what happens if all 40 eggs hatch. I have to keep telling them
1) I set 48 eggs
b) Haven't you ever heard "Don't count your chickens before they've hatched"
but I am really only one chicken short of the 20 chicken limit I set for myself, but some of those are silkies and frizzles, so they don't really count as a full "one," do they?!
Chicks don't count either, so you're safe. My DH said when he saw the incubator, "we have too many chickens, so lets make more. Sounds logical." This was me ----->
