Eggs pipping and hen wondering the yard.

[AusChook]

I have a hen who has been on her eggs for the past 21 days. I have had to remove her from her nest every 2nd day otherwise she wouldn't eat or drink at all. Now her eggs are pipping and she is wondering around eating. What should I do? I'm guessing she wont be gone for long but one chick has a rather large hole and looks like it may be a little shrink wrapped. I don't want to worry too much but I also want them all to hatch healthy. Should I just leave them be or should be checking on them and helping if required since she is leaving the nest?

 

[Suzie]

She can be away from her pipping eggs for up to 40 minutes.. any longer I would get her back to her task, and I suggest you keep an eye on the one that you think may be shrink wrapped... I have helped some of mine that were in an incubator that were shrink wrapped... normally the mother will supply enough moisture in a natural environment.