Best breeds for broody hens?

[Cinnamon Roll]

My Buff Orpingtons have also been pretty broody, 3 of 8 one-year olds went broody last summer.

Last fall I checked in with my local Facebook poultry groups and found some proven broody hens to add to my flock. I found a local family with a Partridge Rock and a Red Star that had been repeatedly broody. That might be a way to go if you are willing to go through the quarantine and introduction process.

 

[BoogieWight]

What climate do you have? I can't imagine why silkies would be bad.

I think he is less concerned about climate with them, than their survivability in a more free range environment.

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

Oh okay!

 

[BlueBaby]

I've heard that Naked Necks make great moms, but I'm not sure how often they tend to go broody.

Pretty broody. I had 5 of them that went broody this past summer, and I live out here in the Arizona desert.

 

[Aquira]

I've had a pretty broody Buff Orpington before
My barred rock girl recently has been broody.

 

[SegiDream]

dominique... they were a favorite breed in the southeast for a long time for a reason. I think they'd be great free rangers as well.

 

[Coops Dad]

Our Black Copper Marans hens are the broodiest hens I've ever seen. If my wife skips gathering eggs for a day, the "best" nesting box will have one of our BCMs in it, flattened and growling if you come near. I think they'd set on a pile of rocks if they saw it.

 

[Chris2018]

I believe the best hen you will find for broodiness and over all great mother is going to be a American Game hen...

 

[TexasLisa]

IMHO you can't go wrong with Australorps. I have had several different breeds and it has always been the Australorps that have gone broody. They are excellent mothers.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

IMHO you can't go wrong with Australorps. I have had several different breeds and it has always been the Australorps that have gone broody. They are excellent mothers.

That’s good to know. I might be able to get some BR/ australorp hatching eggs from a friend who keeps them.