what are the best brody hens

[Rock Wyandotte]

I have two Black Australorps from MacMurray Hatchery and they both go broody at the drop of a hat and are terrific mothers. I have kept them because they're such good setters and moms.

 

[blueberrychickens]

[True Araucanas, Ameraucanas, Marans, American Gamefowl, Oriental Gamefowl, Wyandottes, Cochins, Silkies, etc are all broody, granted that they are not of hatchery/poor quality. Hatcheries breed out broodiness to keep the egg production going.]

Hmmmm....seems someone forgot to tell my gold laced wyandotte that the broodiness has been bred out of her. as she is broody for the 2nd time in as many months!!!

I got her from MPC last summer....

 

[Judy]

Here's a great article on working with broodies. First page lists the old standby broody breeds. Ideal has Kraeinkippes; I had 3 and all were great mamas.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

And Henderson's chart addresses how broody the breed is, as well as lots of other info:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[kuntrygirl]

I don't know what the best broody hens are but MY best broody hens are my (5) banty girls. They have hatched about 85% of my flock. I place 8-9 standard eggs under my 5 girls and they hatch them all. They go broody about 3-4 times a year. Excellent mothers!

 

[Serama Mama 4]

if u want good broodies get some silkies, buff orpingtons, or better yet cross a silkie cockrel with a buff orp hen. they make great brooders! ive heard good things about brahmas too.

 

[deerman]

Some good broodies can be found in alot of breeds...Best breed is the game hens , just about every hen are great broodies.

Can't find better mothers , i had one attack a fox after her chicks, she gave her life to save those chicks.....little harder tocheck on eggs or change eggs out, yes they will fight you also.....

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Yeah, some people do get broody hens. I know Orpingtons from hatcheries have decent chances, and I've even got the rarity of a broody Polish before.

. . . . REALLY hope that Polish decides to go broody again this spring. That would be very much appreciated.

 

[debilorrah]

SILKIES!!! They are usually broody 8 out of 12 months a year. BO's? Not so much at least with mine. But silkies will NOT let you down.

 

[Attack Chicken]

Well currently I have three broody bantam wyandottes all in a nest box together.....

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I don't have experience with those, but I have heard they are good broodies. But silkies top them all.