Broody/New Mother Hen will not stand up with Chicks

[WhiteChicken21]

Since this is a long story, I shall make it quick and to the point. My family owns three grown hens, a Buff, golden laced wyandotte and a speckled sussex. The big buffy hen, Honey (who happens to be in my avatar) decided to become a broody hen and we thought this would be a perfect time to add chickens to our flock. Well, we got fertilized eggs. Sadly, four of the eggs ended up being smashed, one disappearing thanks to a rat and the last two never hatched at all. So, we went and got day old chicks for her.

Luckily, she took to them, after a bit of trying to peck at the poor Red we had gotten. We watched for about an hour around 3am this morning, but she hasn't killed any of them or tried to within the last few hours. Through-out the day though, she hasn't stood up at all. It seems she either can't or won't stand up to her full height. She'd shuffle her way out of the create she has nested in and sit outside to drink and eat, but then slides her way back in. Is this normal? Or has sitting for 24 days hurt her in some way?

 

[sourland]

Generally the first couple of days after the chicks hatch the hen moves around very little. As long as she is coming out to eat and drink, I think that she will be OK. Setting does take a lot out of a hen and it takes a while for their strength to return.