I think you are correct......Moms do not always leave the nest because they are dud eggs..........I'm happy to report that 7 chicks have hatched but she's still sitting on more. We have food & water set nearby (separate from the rest of the flock) for her and the babies.
I'm guessing that, because they're not all hatching at the exact same time, that she's "realizing" they're not duds. That she has to continue to sit and more will hatch.
Perhaps this is my own projection but now as this is her second hatching, maybe she's more experienced?
They simply choose to teach the first ones to eat and drink.. Sounds like she figured out she can do both...................
