First Silkie Chicks advice needed please!

[Rynn]

Hi everyone!

I've had my white Silkie hen sat on 13 eggs which were due to hatch today, I isolated her as some of my other hens can be a bit nasty.
Went down yesterday to check everyone was ok and noticed the Mummy Hen had moved and was now looking very pleased with herself and was chirping. I looked under neath her and too my surprise there was 9 little chicks they were all very alert and fluffy.

This is my first hatch so i have a few questions:

There are still 4 eggs unhatched in the nest - mummy is still sitting on them and the chicks in the nest - how long do i give these eggs before taking them away?

All the chicks look very strong and are very interested in everything around them and when they hear my voice lots of little heads pop up from underneath the hen - but how long should i wait till i let mum and babies out in the open and with dad who is going crazy to have his best girl back?
All my chickens are in a large area in the garden but with no cover over to stop cats getting into the pen.
I will be letting them out on the lawn so they are away from the other chickens at first and I can keep an eye on them all.

Also silly question after having 9 hatch there was only one egg shell left I take it the Hen has eaten the shells?

Also any more advise would be great!

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Quote:

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Usually momma hen will know when its time to stop sitting on eggs taht are not going to hatch. She will take the chicks and get off the nest. I dont ususally let me hens hatch but I do with my cochins. Usually its a couple of days, Recently one of my sillkies hatched out a jersey giant egg. she had 1 oathr egg under her. she left it the next day and went off with her baby. I cant really say how long to keep them from her mate. I have had baby chicks in with both parents without any problems. The silkie hatched hers in my big silkie pen and its been fine with all the adult silkies. Putting it in with the entire flock could cause some of the hens to peck on them but in my opinion when they hatch right in the same coop the older chickens ignore them as if they know they belong.