How crucial are first 48 hours?

[Jojosine]

Hi there
48 hours ago I moved my broody to a separate coop and put eggs under her.
When I came home today she was off the nest and trying to get to her old coop. We caught her and put her back in the broody coop and she walked straight to her eggs again.

I don't know for how long she has been off the nest, so my question is how crucial are the first 48 hours? I assume there is no heartbeat or anything just yet, so does it matter if the eggs have been left for a while? It's not been particularly cold today.

Cheers,

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

There might be the start of development if she was sitting on them for a full 48 hours. But most development isnt seen until after 3 or 4 days. I would watch her and candle the eggs at 5 days or so and see if you see veins or not. My broody had kept kicking a egg out of no reason until seperated her it hatched yesterday and its perfectly healthy. It was in the upper 80s and 90s here. So i wouldnt be super worried unless its gotten cold in your area.