Broody Hen leaves nest with chicks on the way

[ChichiZ]

Hi,
We have had a broody hen for 3 weeks now, and her egssbwe have her we're not fertile.
A few days ago we ordered a few chicks from a local breeder which we picked up today. She told us to give the chicks to our hen tonight while she sleeps. At about 1pm today our hen left the nest and hasn't gone back. It is now 5:30 and she still hasn't gone back. We are really worried about her now. She is now seeming normal and not broody in the slightest!!! HELP!!! We have 2 chicks inside and we have no clue what to do

 

[Alaskan]

I think you are just stuck raising the chicks yourself... or finding someone else that wants to raise them.

Unfortunately, sometimes a chicken will just change her mind about the mothering idea.

 

[bobbi-j]

If she's already been on the nest for 3 weeks, her instinct may have told her that it's time to get off the nest. I had one broody that broke on her own at about that time. I agree with Alaskan - you may just be brooding these chicks on your own.