Mama Hen left nest for a minute while eggs are hatching!

[pntdhorses]

I am so freaking out!! My broody hen just left the chicks that are in the middle of hatching to eat and drink! I chased her back on the nest but now I’m afraid she just sealed their fate by leaving them for a minute during this crucial moment when they need her humidity to complete the hatch. So I’m thinking they are probably gonna get shrink wrapped....I am so upset! What do you think the chances are that they are gonna be able to hatch?

 

[sourland]

They are going to hatch just fine.

 

[Nksg75]

I agree. One of my Broody hens did the same, however she went as far as dust bathing, then slowly decided to get back on.
I also was worried, however they ended up just fine.
I also had one broody bury her hatching eggs (while teaching the new chicks to stretch) accidentally, then after I found them I took them to the incubator and they hatched a bit later.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Where are you located? What is the climate there?

 

[TashaFrancois]

Baby photographs!

 

[PirateGirl]

Hatching can take 24-48 hours, I think it's ok if mama leaves for a minute or two, as long as she gets back on the nest.

 

[pntdhorses]

Baby photographs!

Out of 11 eggs, 9 hatched. The last 2 were very problematic. One was struggling over 28 hours with not much progress and the membrane was turning brown. So I had to assist and baby is doing great! The other seemed to be making progress but I did not realize that it hadn’t pipped by its little beak! It must have been kicking because there was a lot of shell off and some outer membrane. It was making more progress than the little one I helped. Sadly, I didn’t realize it hadn’t established an air hole until it was too late and the poor little thing had suffocated. I felt really horrible.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Let her come off the nest to eat and drink. She knows what she's doing. The chicks will be fine.

EDIT: Sorry I responded without seeing the last post. Congrats on the cute chicks!

 

[Chaos11793]

Oh my goodness...look at his little yamaka. I love it!