broody birds

[fil76]

I know birds wont go broody till weather warms up but what I want to know I keep a small flock of hybrids warrens/blackrock & have been told the black rocks might go broody anybody know if this is true
cheers

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I am assuming you are in the UK or such as the term warren and black rock is not typically used in the US...we generally use the term Red Star and Black Star or Red or Black Sexlink.

I have had several Black Stars go broody, though one tended to quit before the chicks hatched.

I have never had a Red Star/Warren go broody. They typically are egg laying machines and don't brood. (Though it can occasionally happen, but don't plan on it).

If you want to seriously hatch from hens, Silkies and bantam Cochins are notoriously broody. I keep a pen of them for just that purpose. I've hatched pretty much year around with them...though they break for a couple of months between hatches.

Game birds are also prolific brooders. If you get breeder quality Orpington, they also make good broodies.

Most commercial lines have been carefully selected for egg laying which means selected away from the genetics for brooding.

LofMc

 

[aart]

I know birds wont go broody till weather warms up

Common, but no always so.
Had a broody set and hatch out in Jan/Feb.
Just broke 2 broody pullets within the last month.