are buff orpington's too broody for me? do they lay well?

[egglicious]

Well I had a very unfortunate incident happen recently and I lost two laying hens. Now all I have is one layer and a bunch of fancy little bantams which was not the original plan!! I have been looking into BOs and i'm just wondering if they might be too broody and also are they good layers? The two birds I lost were a black australorp and a speckled sussex so I know they would have laid well but not sure if I can bring myself to get the same breed. I also don't want a really broody chicken... thoughts?

 

[Blue]

I've got two year-old Orps that haven't gone broody yet. They may eventually, but they laid very well through the summer and some last winter as well. None of my hens are laying well right now. I think the cold weather snap messed them up, that and the fact that a bunch of them are molting.

 

[Zaxby's2]

Orpingtons and Austrolorps are extremely alike, in fact Austrolorps are just Orpingtons that were bred in Australia and so were changed a little. Orps are great layers, and although reliable broodies, they don't go overboard with it.

I've had a buff go broody at a year, a buff that is two years and hasn't yet, and a pullet that isn't old enough to. Now, keep in mind that I've only tried once to encourage them to brood, and that was when my year old did. So to sum it all up, I say definitely get some buffs. They're good and reliable and between five hens you'll get at least one broody a year, but you probably won't have to worry too much. Good luck!

 

[egglicious]

Thanks for the comments so far! I am feeling a little encouraged because I LOVE the look of the orps but was afraid they might not lay well and be too broody. Any one else have any experiences with orps?

 

[galanie]

All three of my BO's have gone broody 3 times this year, starting at about 9 months old. I suppose it depends on the line. These were from Ideal.

 

[Blue]

Quote:
That's probably true. I bought mine from a guy who sells outside the Southern States once a month, and I don't know where he got his from.

 

[TigerLilly]

I've had some of mine for 1 1/2 yrs--NONE have gone broody. They are, however, my most reliable egg-layers, barring moulting.

ZAXBY'S2--can you expand on what you mean by "I've only tried once to encourage them to brood, and that was when my year old did."

 

[gryeyes]

I have a BO, some blue Orps, and some Orpington/EE crosses in my flock. The BO is two years old and is currently broody for the third time (I let her hatch chicks each time.) The rest of the time, she's a great layer. One of the blue Orps is broody right along with her - literally, sitting next to her - and it's her first time broody.

I love Orpingtons.

 

[Illia]

Most hatchery based Orpingtons won't be too terribly broody, maybe once a year, maybe not til they're 2. They do vary. Remember, hatcheries often try to breed such trait out, however Buffs are popularly known for being moderately broody so that goal may change from hatchery to hatchery.


If they're not hatchery stock, chances are they'll be VERY consistent broodies.

 

[Zaxby's2]

Quote:
I got 14 Easter eggs, spray painted them brown, put them in the nest box and within a week my buff went broody. I had been wanting to get one of them to go broody, and this was one of the ideas suggested on BYC.