An update on my batch of these beauties:
Home Depot carries 'Tactical' LED flashlights (100+ Lumens) (~24$), which made a world of difference in tonight's candling. I could see through the Marans eggs clear as if they were white shelled! I wish I had this flashlight from the start - it's so bright I can actually see the bones and veins in my own hands when shining in the dark.
Humidity was kept in the mid-40% range for these last 4 days, whereas for days 1-10 it had been 35%. My goal is for the eggs to lose approximately 12-14% of their weight by day 18.
I'm EXTREMELY concerned about egg #8. It's hard to explain, but the air cell was a bit floaty and wasn't really in a straight line like the others. Looks like it popped?
Eggs 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 look like they might have quit. I'm hoping that's not the case.
They certainly didn't look like they should. Hoping for a more certain prognosis by lockdown.
Julie, I want to thank you again for giving us all a chance to spread these interesting chickens around. You've been more than generous and I hope we can get a real breeding program for these birds going.