best dual purpose breed for raising chicks

[Tim63]

I try to hatch about 100 chicks in the incubator early spring. After I finish with that about half of my Bantam Brahmas go broody. I have not noticed much difference in my buffs and lights. I will let the broodies hatch a few eggs. I would recommend the bantam brahma. I cant really say about standards as I only breed/raise bantams. I think they would do the trick.

I might add, it can be a problem--always going broody. Mine do seem to wait until I have hatched all I want in the incubator though.

 

[Bucky182]

Tim63,

Where did you get your start of bantam Bramha's? that is a good idea, them my daughter can claim the banties as hers and I have read they are very gentle birds. I normally order chickens from Cackle will hathery bantams still brood?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Buff Orpingtons are great broodies!
Also EE, JG, and abunch of other ones!

 

[Tim63]

Quote:
My bantams are mostly from Spence/Williams stock, a little Arbuckle/Rust, and some are from eggs I got from John Neff out of Florida. I ONLY have Bantam Brahmas and my main interest is breeding/exhibiting. I do not know if hatchery birds will brood, I don't know why they would'nt.

Yes, brahmas are very gentle, even-tempered, docile, friendly birds. For a bantam they are very good layers of suprisingly large eggs. (I guess you have figured out by now I am a Brahma fan!!)