Best chance for a broody hen

[dunkard_trapper]

I’m aware that any breed can go broody and some hens never will. I’ve raised RIR,Silver laced Wyandotte, and game birds. The only hen to raise a clutch was the game hens.
I’m wondering what everyone’s opinion is on the following breeds. Which one has the highest probability of producing a setter?
Andalusian
Buff Rock
Columbian Or White Wyandotte
Delaware
Dominique
New Hampshire
Partridge Rocks
Sussex
White Orpington

 

[The reluctant chicken]

I’m aware that any breed can go broody and some hens never will. I’ve raised RIR,Silver laced Wyandotte, and game birds. The only hen to raise a clutch was the game hens.
I’m wondering what everyone’s opinion is on the following breeds. Which one has the highest probability of producing a setter?
Andalusian
Buff Rock
Columbian Or White Wyandotte
Delaware
Dominique
New Hampshire
Partridge Rocks
Sussex
White Orpington

My sussex always went broody, She was a good mom also. I also had an Orpington that occasionally went broody, but not as frequent as my sussex. I'm not quite sure if it was the breed or just the personality of the chicken.

 

[Alaskan]

I’m aware that any breed can go broody and some hens never will. I’ve raised RIR,Silver laced Wyandotte, and game birds. The only hen to raise a clutch was the game hens.
I’m wondering what everyone’s opinion is on the following breeds. Which one has the highest probability of producing a setter?
Andalusian
Buff Rock
Columbian Or White Wyandotte
Delaware
Dominique
New Hampshire
Partridge Rocks
Sussex
White Orpington

I don't think any of those are really known for being broody.

I have only owned a few from that list.. and they never went broody. I have had a large number of Dominique, zero broody.

I have also had Sussex, and a couple of colors of Wyandotte... none went broody.

My broodies are my bantam wheaten Ameraucana (many of them, at least a third of the flock) other broodies I have had have been Cochins and Cuckoo Marans,

I have heritage Rose Comb Leghorns, and some of them have been excellent broodies (but small percentage of my flock, maybe 1 out of 20 would go broody)

 

[WVBirdsAndBees]

In terms of reputation, probably the Sussex or Orpingtons. But it does vary a lot based on the bird and bloodline, so knowing the history of the birds may help. Obviously, lines bred for egg productivity have been developed to minimize brooding while other breeders may value good mothering traits - so you can see some variation within a single breed.

For what it's worth, we just had a similar debate. We have some of the breeds you mention and debated for a while over whether any would be reliable moms. Of our flock of 30ish hens, only 1 australorp regularly goes broody and I really want some Sussex.

But in the end, we're picking up a dozen silkies next week to do the job. They'll hatch/raise large fowl (or pretty much anything) and their isn't much risk of getting a bunch that won't ever sit. Time will tell if it was the right decision but our nursery coop will run by little black floofs.

Good luck!

 

[The Happster]

My thoughts were definitely Sussex first, and then Orpington.
But it does depend on the actual birds.
Almost all of my Orpingtons are broody, and so is my current Light Sussex.
The Light Sussex did an eggcelent job.

 

[centrarchid]

Almost all my American Dominique's go broody by second half of second year in lay. Some go broody by end of first year. Older hens are really prone to go broody. Their are multiple strains of most breeds and they can differ markedly with respect to broodiness. We seem to get trapped into the breed only effect, like with dog breeds versus individuals, and we shut down idea of how populations can vary.

I use game hens as broodies routinely. They are reliable enough for me to put one in a breeding pen and have realistic expectation of broodiness by a certain date. To get chick output desired, start two or even three hens in case some body does not come back into lay or hatch not good. I am shooting for three or four late season hatches already and may even push from one in September. Games are fairly reliable.

 

[Alaskan]

Almost all my American Dominique's go broody by second half of second year in lay. Some go broody by end of first year. Older hens are really prone to go broody. Their are multiple strains of most breeds and they can differ markedly with respect to broodiness. We seem to get trapped into the breed only effect, like with dog breeds versus individuals, and we shut down idea of how populations can vary.

I use game hens as broodies routinely. They are reliable enough for me to put one in a breeding pen and have realistic expectation of broodiness by a certain date. To get chick output desired, start two or even three hens in case some body does not come back into lay or hatch not good. I am shooting for three or four late season hatches already and may even push from one in September. Games are fairly reliable.

Excellent advice and comments