Single chick hatching

[camper82]

Hi,. This is my first time with a hen on a nest. She is a RIR and started out with 4 eggs. One was not fertile, and now 2 have cracked. The last looks good by candling and should hatch in less than a week. Is a single chick a good idea? Will it be ok with no other chicks around?

 

[nchls school]

Hi,. This is my first time with a hen on a nest. She is a RIR and started out with 4 eggs. One was not fertile, and now 2 have cracked. The last looks good by candling and should hatch in less than a week. Is a single chick a good idea? Will it be ok with no other chicks around?

A single chick will be fine. I have had many hens raise a single chick.

However, consider putting some dummy eggs (2 or 3) under the hen along with the one to hatch. RIRs are fairly heavy and without those dummy eggs to support her weight the chick could be crushed on hatching.

 

[camper82]

Good idea. Thanks for the tip.