Broody hen… to break or hatch?

I ignorantly set her up with a staggered hatch, and I wonder if that caused some confusion.
It very well could. After they internal pip but before they external pip the chicks start talking to the broody to let her know they are coming. How long did you wait last time before you took the chicks from her? I've had broody hens bring their chicks off of the nest within 24 hours of the first one hatching, I've had broody hens wait a bit over 72 hours to bring them off.

The chicks absorb the yolk before they hatch. They can live off of that yolk for over 72 hours before they need to eat or drink. That would be my deadline as to when you need to bring her off, 72 hours after the first one hatched. Since the chicks can go even longer that would be within plenty of time.
 

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