My RI Red hen hatching eggs story

[SarahIrl]

How come when you hatch eggs in a bator you have to be vigilant with the heat lamp, 24 hours a day, and yet your great lil' momma has her chicks outside at 2 days old?!

PS - she is a BEAUTY!

 

[NHchicks]

One more photo of my RIR with a couple of her chicks:

 

[southie]

I have 8 ri red / jersey giant breed(bout 16 weeks) . Tonight while putting them to bed one of my hens was missing it was bout 9pm and dark looked all around yard for her but found nothing. When's back into pen and spotted her up in rafters??? She was panting as well can anyone tell me why she did this?? Is she getting ready to lay ??? New to chickens please reply