you don't want to mess with the hen too much- depends on the hen- mine let me pick the eggs up as long as its not for long- one of my silkies will stuff the egg back as far as she can and then stare at me like, 'enough already!'
She is very patient with us (silkie hen), more so with my oldest daughter. I don't allow the girls to touch the egg just lift her up to see how big the hole is. Its a silkie egg and the hole is about the size of a nickle so hopefully it will make it out soon. Thanks for your reply.