Best Brood Hens

[EveLa]

Thank y'all so much !! Do they start sitting right away or do they lay a clutch, like 10 eggs then start setting?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank y'all so much !! Do they start sitting right away or do they lay a clutch, like 10 eggs then start setting?

All birds will lay until their nest is filled enough for them to start sitting

 

[Folly's place]

Broodiness is hormone driven, and hens do it when they are in the mood. Trying to time it will be totally frustrating for you!
Having a few eggs in a nest might inspire a hen to set, or not. Sometimes nobody wants to brood, and sometimes several birds will try all at once. Then egg production drops, because broody hens don't lay eggs!
Mary

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC!!
I only have EE's and I can always rely on two of them going broody even if I don't want them to hatch eggs, then the broodiness has to be broken.

 

[50-45-1]

Thank y'all so much !! Do they start sitting right away or do they lay a clutch, like 10 eggs then start setting?

Hi, and welcome!
For the best hatching results, best to put fake eggs in the nest boxes and gather your eggs daily. Once you notice you have a broody hen, start saving the eggs you prefer her to hatch. You can keep eggs ( pointy end down, unwashed and un-refrigerated) for a week.
Its important the eggs all start at the same time, so they hatch at the same time.
Have a separate place for your broody to set undisturbed for three weeks.
My best and most faithful broodies are my jap bantams.
Literally any breed can go broody tho. I have had white leghorn hen go broody once. It's just less likely.
Good luck, and have fun!

 

[BoogieWight]

While I'm not the biggest fan of five toed breeds, I can't think of any purebred chicken that is a better at raising chicks than an older Dorking. Once older they stay broody, and they will raise their chicks (especially the pullets) for way longer than most breeds. The Dorking crosses are hit or miss, but generally still spend a long time raising their young. I say all this discounting the various game breeds. Which are better at everything except for making meat and eggs, although that is more than likely what you are interested in. What are you goals? Situation? Setup? If you don't mind sharing..

 

[Folly's place]

I've never had Dorkings, but agree about them! Thanks for the breed suggestion too.
Mary

 

[EveLa]

While I'm not the biggest fan of five toed breeds, I can't think of any purebred chicken that is a better at raising chicks than an older Dorking. Once older they stay broody, and they will raise their chicks (especially the pullets) for way longer than most breeds. The Dorking crosses are hit or miss, but generally still spend a long time raising their young. I say all this discounting the various game breeds. Which are better at everything except for making meat and eggs, although that is more than likely what you are interested in. What are you goals? Situation? Setup? If you don't mind sharing..

Hi and thank you ! Well I have a few Amercaunas that my daughter gifted me and I have 3 older RIR hens that haven't laid 1 egg LOL that a lady gifted me, I have ( Ibelieve 3 mixed hens and 1 white hen and 3 very young Roos, 1 older Banty Cochin Roo and his mate, and a year old Roo that may be full or part RIR, anyways I just want some eggs and baby chicks so that I can have more, so I don't want to have to get an Incubator so I'd rather have a Broody and it's fun for my grandchildren ! So I would like to mix and match to get eggs year round and I am located in Southeastern Louisiana.

 

[EveLa]

While I'm not the biggest fan of five toed breeds, I can't think of any purebred chicken that is a better at raising chicks than an older Dorking. Once older they stay broody, and they will raise their chicks (especially the pullets) for way longer than most breeds. The Dorking crosses are hit or miss, but generally still spend a long time raising their young. I say all this discounting the various game breeds. Which are better at everything except for making meat and eggs, although that is more than likely what you are interested in. What are you goals? Situation? Setup? If you don't mind sharing..

Now I will look for Dorkings !! LOL Thanks !!

 

[BoogieWight]

Now I will look for Dorkings !! LOL Thanks !!

Your very welcome..
Here is a pro tip if you limit yourself to very few brood hens, but can't decide on which ones to keep based on other factors. Keep the one that eats everything. A picky hen hen will tend to make picky chicks. If you find you a good momma that is the first one to you no matter what your handing out, and you see her showing them to eat random weeds and things that rarely get touched by the others she is a keeper. I still get excited when my favorite broodies have a big clutch. It really does make a difference in feed cost when you have a bunch of birds. Plus everybody loves friendly chickens that don't require a lot of effort to make them so.