Is it possible to raise one baby chick?

[lazy gardener]

This is one of those issues: Yes it can be done. But just b/c you can, don't mean you should. This is not at all in the best interests of the animal. It sounds like you may have a small coop/run set up. I suggest that you leave your current flock at 3 instead of trying to add a single chick. If you absolutely must have a 4th bird, and your coop run is at least 16 s.f. in coop and 40 s.f. in run, I suggest that you get a hen. But even that, I strongly advise against. If you don't have room to add 2 birds, going by the recommended space guidelines, don't add any.

 

[azygous]

The odds are all against you raising a single chick, but a broody hen could do it easily.

It would take some planning, but there are two ways to go about pulling this off. The first way is the easiest. It would involve having a fertilized egg ready to give a broody hen to sit on and hatch. A broody hen will then take care of raising it and integrating it into the flock.

If you wish to have a very human friendly chick, then choose your most friendly broody hen for the job. Of course, this plan hinges on one of your hens going broody.

The other plan also depends on having a hen go broody. You could obtain a day-old chick and attempt to graft it to her. This has a less likely chance of succeeding than letting the broody hatch a chick.

Both plans are less work for you and would be the kindest way to raise a single chick.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Hello guys, long time no see! So a few days ago my Rhode Island red hen was killed by a raccoon. We have a toatal of 3 chickens now. We really want a 4th one but our last chicken was so docile, you could walk right up to her and pick her up so my question is, is it possible to raise one baby chick? I think thats the only way to make sure we get a family friendly chicken and be happy with it please let me know thanks

It’s definitely possible to raise a single chick, but it’s not advisable as chickens are social animals and the chick will get lonely.

 

[Rstine]

My first attempt with an incubator yielded 1 chick. Yes, it was a little bit louder than a group of chicks but not too bad. She is now 4 months old and a part of the flock. She is definitely our most friendly chicken to date but seems pretty well adapted to life on the range.

 

[Larry55]

I would raise one chick by itself and have no issue doing so. But perhaps u can raise it in the general area of the others. Perhaps in same coop but separated with chicken wire. That way it will have company and get used to other birds at the same time.

 

[rita2paul]

i would advise against raising one. why not get two grown chickens and add to the flock at night.

 

[FAR8AAN]

My little chick is no more. I don't know what happened to him, I came back from school and there he was lying on the ground. RIP