Hen has 4 eggs, one still not hatched, let her keep sitting?

[MareeZoCool]

Thursday was day 21, Friday we saw chick #1. Saturday(today) we saw chick #3 ! My hen has been pretty busy with her new babies most of the day, showing them how to find food & water, then napping in the nest.
My question is how long should we leave egg #4 in the nest? We were thinking leave that last egg for at least 2 more days, is this the right idea?

 

[suzettex5]

You could, but the last 3 days of incubation are pretty important with regards to heat and humidity. Your hen may know that the egg has quit and is now focusing on her babies who hatched. Try putting the egg close to your ear and listen for any tapping sounds. The chick may be a late bloomer. You caould try to incubate it to hatch, but often when mom gives up, she has a good reason. I have a broody just like yours and I just took her chicks away and she's staying on her last egg. I did add eggs as she beagn her set, so they are a few days off from each other. I had givin up on the egg she's on now, but today I heard it pecking inside, so I let her keep it. I took the other chicks and put them into my brooder. I hope your egg makes it!

Good luck!

ETA- The other eggs hatched day 20 and 21, today is day 24- so you never know, plus the chick is Jersey Giant, they sometimes take an extra day or two in hatching.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Tried listening, no sounds, but I noticed a pip.(tiny chip) Thanks for the advice, Suzettex. I just like to do the right thing for my hen. I'll take her cue, get on with life and enjoy the three she has sucessfully hatched. Does anyone think our "superior" brains actually are better than our animal's natural instincts~ when it comes to these eggs & chicken issues?