Best Broody Hens?

[KingsCalls]

Alright people, I need some broody hens so, I thought, who better to ask than the members of Backyard Chickens! I myself, think Silkies make the best broody's. I have had Orpingtons and they are good once they have a little age on them....Here's where you all come in, Which breed do you think makes the best broody's? Standard breeds or Bantam breeds........I'll be using them for Call duck eggs, as call ducks are a hit or miss when it comes to setting on their own eggs. Thanks for any info...........Jeff

 

[Katy]

My call hens are all very good setters and I always have let them set on their own eggs.....never had one quit during the time they were setting. They've always been way more dependable than any chicken hen I've had. Have you let yours try?

 

[CarriBrown]

My bantam partridge Cochin, Tina, is by far the best momma. She'll adopt anything!

 

[KingsCalls]

Quote:
Yes, I've tried but, half will just get up after a few days and never go back to setting. Half will do okay. Thanks

 

[Katy]

I must be lucky then!

 

[Dawn419]

I've just finished breaking 2 broody hens in our flock (since the days are shorter and colder). The first one to go broody was one of our Banty Mottled Cochins with a Banty Silky hot on her tail. Hope they're this ready come spring!

Dawn

 

[featherfooted]

My standard Cochins have been great moms. I've had 5 different ones go broody and hatch eggs, 1 twice. The last one hatched 8 chicks just 2 weeks ago.

 

[Hotwings]

I would say both are. Buffs are very good broodies as well as australorps. Mille fluers make good broodies too. I have seen the bantams set and hatch full size chicks. It is really funny to see them together when the chicks are as big as the bantams. The only problem is probably the bantams can't handle as many eggs as a standard.

 

[josee5]

I have a d'uccle hen that is constantly broody. She hatched out two groups of chicks and is trying to hatch a third but I've switched eggs on her and they are fake. I don't have a good place for chicks in the winter. I also have two muscovey ducks that are constantly sitting on eggs. I didn't have a male duck so I gave one a hen egg thinking she'd be happy if she'd hatch an egg and quit. She hatched the chicken
egg and continues to lay eggs trying to hatch them. I got a young muscovey that is suppose to be a male and both females are broody now.

 

[Blisschick]

I'm with most of the other here. My Cochins and Silkies would hatch doorknobs if I'd let them. Both are very good mothers. They were even co-broodies at one point and shared the babies between them.