Tell me about your BROODY hens! please.

TheKindaFarmGal said:

1) I've just got mutts right now. Silkies, among others, are one breed known to be very good mothers.

2) Depends on the hen. Some go broody only once in a lifetime, but usually if a hen has gone broody once, she'll go broody again. I have a hen who hatches chicks, takes care of them for a few months, lays a few weeks then repeats.

3) Again, this depends on the hen, but most are great mothers. Protective, warn chicks of danger and are willing to put their lives on the line for the babies. Even hens that are normally gentle might become protective around you and attack you at times, but you need to learn to give her space to feel comfortable.

Sorry I can't answer #4. I just get birds from friends' flocks and hatch from my own.

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Chicken5555 said:

Thank you so much. Your hen that goes broody repeatedly, do you know what breed or mix she is?

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ChickenChaser9 said:

If you are interested in having broody hens then you want to get some heritage breeds and avoid the hybridized/production chickens that are out there. Do your research. Some breeds are known to be better mothers than others. My Jersey Giants are known to be semi-broody for instance and we have already had 2 of our hens go broody in their first year and we let 1 of them hatch out 6 wonderful chicks and the broody hen did a great job of caring for them and getting them ready to join the main flock. They were purchased from Murray Mcmurray hatchery. There are reviews of different breeds on this very site and choosing the right one for you is one of the most important decisions you will be making as a chicken steward. Best Wishes.

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Chicken5555 said:

Hello everyone. I want to add a few hens to my flock in the hopes that they'll go broody and hatch some chicks naturally.

What breeds do you have that go broody?

Cochins,Buff Orpintions,Silkies,Black Austarlorp,Silver laced Wynadotte.Stay away from small chickens they rarely go broody.

How often do they go broody?

Hard to say its in there instinct.Some hens will go broody every month

Are they good mothers? Protectors.

Yes

Are they from a breeder or a hatchery?

Get them from a breeder.Hatchery stock chickens are bred so much that they don't have the instinct.

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Chicken5555 said:

Yep, that's why I'm asking people about their experience with the breeds they have.

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MasterOfClucker said:

Quote:
Wow, thank you so much! Someone locally is selling Heritage Speckled Sussex and Heritage Barnevelders. Do you think that either of these are likely to go broody?
I never would have thought that silver laced Wyandottes go broody.

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Chicken5555 said:

Wow, thank you so much! Someone locally is selling Heritage Speckled Sussex and Heritage Barnevelders. Do you think that either of these are likely to go broody?
I never would have thought that silver laced Wyandottes go broody.

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