When to pull from Mama hen? - 4 hatched - 3 left

[ahd78]

Hello,

This is my first Broody hen. She started sitting on her eggs while we were on vacation. So she started with 4 but ended up with 13 by the time we got home. I candled at around day 15 to remove all not developing (7 were viable, marked, and given back to Mama) but it appears to my very untrained eye that there were some that started later (I am definitely not an expert at candling).

Now 4 have hatched and there do not appear to be any pip holes on the other three. First chick has hatched out almost 2 days ago. I put food and water outside of nesting box but not sure if they are eating/drinking. How long till I pull the not hatched eggs so live chicks have best chance of survival or do I. Will Mama give up on them herself.

I tried candling again this morning but not sure what to look for now. If I take the rest of the eggs will mama get up to care for hatched ones?

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

After day 23, she should give up. A chick can last three days on its yolk sack without feed of water. They should be fine.

They probably were laid one every day, which is natural, but not the best for hatch rates. Usually, you want to put them all in there at the same time.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'd let them be and let mama take care of it. If she feels they're not going to hatch, she'll take the others away from the nest soon.

 

[ahd78]

Thanks, She has started getting up periodically and going out to the chicks (who are hanging out just out of the nesting box) and eating so looks like she is managing I will let them all be. Now the chicks are eating/drinking even when she goes back to the nest.