[JaK]

I noticed Mama hen was out so I raced down the garden to take a quick peek. One chick is hatching, didn't notice any piping with the others yet and couldn't hear cheeping either. Because I set the eggs around lunch time today is where day 20 turns into 21 so this chick is a little early. Chick was breathing but it looks very blooming, is this normal?
 

[curries]

Sorry JaK, no idea so a completely useless reply    Just excited for you and looking forward to the piccie's.

[joyfull]

it can sometimes happen and often they are ok (if you inspect any empty shells you will often see blood inside after the chick has hatched). I would just leave well alone now for a couple of days

[JaK]

Thanks Joy. I don't plan out touching anything but may well have to sit outside in case I can hear cheeping. 
I was just worried that because Mama hen was out she may have scratched it when leaving the nest.

[joyfull]

has she gone back in and settled down?

[JaK]

Just checked and she has gone inside. I could hear her chatting away so I'm hopeful.

[joyfull]

If there is a problem she would have probably killed it - sorry if this sounds harsh but it is a case of survival of the fittest and she won't want an injured chick hampering the survival of the healthy ones.
Sorry seeing that written down does make me sound awful and I don't mean to be but as she is chatting away the chick is fine 

[JaK]

Well we have been out since I last posted. Came home to a noisy chicken pacing around outside. I looked in the nest and found a right mess and a very dead chick. I cleaned up as best I could but the eggs seemed to be cold and they are covered in dry blood too.  Mama hen went straight back to the nest once I'd cleaned it. Fingers crossed eh?

[curries]

Oh no what a shame.....   I hope it still has a happy ending, it's so worrying isn't it.

[bantam novice]

Oh I'm so sorry JaK 
fingers crossed for the other eggs.

[JaK]

It's so worrying! My children keep asking if we have any chicks, I just say it's not time yet.  
Our hen is off the nest again, I wonder if she has given up? Or maybe it's normal since she's sat there for three weeks?

[evie2]

She may just have gone out to eat, drink and poo 

[Helenaj]

Can there be anything in there irritating her (lice) or frightening her (rats)? Next time she's out, check her over for lice as she may have an infestation if she's been sitting there for a few weeks.

[JaK]

I just went down the garden for a listen and she was talkative again, then Iheard a very faint cheeping, fingers crossed it's another on the way out. 

I don't think rats would be a problem (we have a very active cat) but I suppose lice may be an issue as although I've been using diaton in her dust bath I've not done her for three weeks. 

[joyfull]

as broodies are very inactive for at least 3 weeks they are very prone to lice, so give her a little quirt with frontline or similar between her shoulder blades (part the feathers first).
Good luck with the hatch