When will momma hen take chicks off nest?

[LesGan]

Momma hen hatched 3 eggs and I have seen one chick which she keeps hidden. Another hatched but did not make it. One still accounted for and I want to check for body under her but don't want to upset her. Suggestions please. I forgot to say that when the one chick appears that there is a disagreeable odor, and I feel that I need to check under her, Leslie

 

[VenturaChickenMama]

I am by no means an expert, but we just got six babies yesterday, and they are all off the nest and wandering around (in about a 3-foot radius of the nest), and that is with two eggs still waiting to hatch! I don't know if our Mama ("Mama Horsey") knows that these last two are not going to hatch or what, but she has been off the nest for sort of long stretches today, so I am not sure if that bodes poorly for the remaining two eggs. I have some really great pictures of them. Is it possible to post on here? Thanks!

Kim Rangel
Ventura, CA
Wife to Port (12-19-01)
Mama to Peanut (born safely at home unassisted, 10-11-04) and to Beau (who will be born safely at home unassisted, Winter '09)
"Mama" to Cory (shepherd mix dog), Godiva (mini lop bunny), and the Flock (Flicka - the Big Daddy Millie Fleur, Spirit, Girlfriend, Mama Horsey, and her six (or eight???) babies, hatched 6/29/09!)

 

[cmom]

I would coax her off the nest and check.