Will a broody hen hatch one egg?

[equi]

I have a 4 year old hen who never brooded before. She started about two months ago now, and has been sitting. At the start a few eggs got broke in the nest box that the other hen lays in too, so we made another box and she now has one egg in it. There is never any more in it, so we assume she is not laying or is laying in the first box (which get collected every day)

My dad said he candled the egg, but i dont really trust his judgement. I have had a rooster for a year and never had chicks so i have huge doubts this one will have any but what do you think the chances are?

 

[nchls school]

If the egg is fertile the hen will hatch it if she broods long enough. Two months is a long time and the hen might stop brooding. However I have had hens that brooded for much longer. Suggestion-give her some dummy eggs or real eggs along with the one she has. Sometimes, when there is only one egg the chick is crushed on hatching. More eggs will keep the hen's full weight of the chick when it hatches. Good luck.

 

[equi]

Thanks I will try that. If this one doesn't come to anything I will stop lifting some eggs and let her brood a clutch. Just with two laying I'm not sure when to stop collecting

 

[nchls school]

Thanks I will try that. If this one doesn't come to anything I will stop lifting some eggs and let her brood a clutch. Just with two laying I'm not sure when to stop collecting

When the hen becomes broody again give her however many eggs you wish (a dozen or less is best) Mark them with a pencil and each day remove any fresh eggs that have been added to the clutch. These eggs can be used to eat.

Even better-block the nest so other hens can not lay eggs in it.