Black Australorps broody

[Ms Kurtis]

I had 4 of 16 of my BAs broody late summer. These were all "hatchery" girls, hatched last december, and I just love the breed.
I will let my hens raise them next year. Its a lot of work, and our purpose is food supply and eggs.
My GLW (12) were breeder stock and only 1 went broody, all were over a year old.

How many brooder boxes do you have. I've got 3 hens and a roo. They all use the deep hay filled dresser drawer nailed inside the barn wall, but none have gone broody. Purchased as pullets in November. Laying regularly one egg each daily, so thinking of incubator. Maybe they just like it very warm before brooding?

 

[s678865567]

I have raised these for years. They are supposed to be broody--they are bred that way. If you are in for the eggs alone, you want something like RIR or ISA brown--those never go broody but you might have picked the wrong breed if you don't want her hatching eggs. Having said that, I have hatchery Black Australorps that rarely seemed to go broody and that disappoints me cause I don't want to deal with an incubator. Try hatchery birds and not a local dealer. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

I don't know how many times I have picked a breed, gotten the breed and then didn't like them quite as much as I thought I would. Broodieness is catchy.

I think this is why I like a mixed flock.

Mrs K

 

[BuckMtn]

I have 8 in the brooder now, hatched 03/11. Would love to have some go broody to sustain the flock. I am planning to get more from another breeder when these are in the coop just to make sure to expand the DNA pool

 

[5Australorpasaures]

When we had a Rooster out our 7 BLK AUS 1 went broody. Since we got rid of the Rooster and some hens no brooding. Also can now appreciate the neat tight iridescent feathering of the birds.