Broody Breed Recommendations

[sourland]

Thank you! A breeder told me that I needed some kind of Game breed, that I would really like them. I can’t remember which one he told said. I guess I should ask him.

I love game hens as broody and protective hens, but any of their genetic offspring will carry the fighting instinct and the cockerels become real terrors when the testosterone starts flowing. For a variety of reasons I have found that silky/large fowl crosses make the best broody hens.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Black Australorps, Silkies and Cochins (specificly bantam cochins) are great!! occasionally a orpington too.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

In purebreeds, I like my cochin bantams, Old English Game Bantams, and Silkies, in that order. My mixed breed black hen (australorp, silkie, EE, Wyandotte, who knows what else) outperforms all of them.

If you want a good broody, why don't you ask around and see if anyone in your area is getting rid of one. A lot of people don't like them because of how they interrupt the laying cycle.

If you are getting chicks, no matter what you eventually decide to get, I would personally try and get them from a breeder, rather than from a hatchery. A breeder will be able to tell you whether his stock goes broody or not. A hatchery won't. If you get a bunch of chicks from a hatchery that has bred the broodiness out of that line, you won't get broodies.

Excellent information on all counts, thank you! I like hatchery chicks, as they’re sexed. I hate having to get rid of roosters. But I have wondered if hatchery chicks were less likely to retain certain breed traits. We have a local breeder who has nice birds. I haven’t talked to her because I haven’t seen her selling anything that I thought I’d be interested in. But she could probably point me in the right direction. Thank you!

 

[Folly's place]

Silkies are small and not as hardy as many others. IMO. They are broody, though.
I've never had big game breeds, but the hens are reported to be very good moms, who won't take any guff from anyone! You would have to only have hens, because the cock birds need to be away from any other cocks to avoid fatal fights.
My BLR Wyandotte hens have raise nice chicks for me, and they are larger birds who can set on ten or twelve eggs easily. My Speckled Sussex hens have also been broody.
Belgian d'Uccles are small, but very enthusiastic broody hens, and a lot smarter and hardier than those Silkies!
Mary

 

[BlackHackle]

My black austrolorps go broody a ton and make really good mothers.
Silkies are my favorite as they tend to be very devoted to there eggs and are so sweet.

That's what I would advise, a good Aussie hen will do the trick

 

[Chestnut Hill]

I love game hens as broody and protective hens, but any of their genetic offspring will carry the fighting instinct and the cockerels become real terrors when the testosterone starts flowing. For a variety of reasons I have found that silky/large fowl crosses make the best broody hens.

Thank you for pointing that out!!! I have no use for mean roosters. I think you just described Lucinda, my Silkie mix. She’s a GREAT Mama. Two of the chicks that she hatched have black feet and beaks. I can’t get close enough to count toes. Hopefully, they’re pullets and will take after her.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Black Australorps, Silkies and Cochins (specificly bantam cochins) are great!! occasionally a orpington too.

Thank you!

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Silkies are small and not as hardy as many others. IMO. They are broody, though.
I've never had big game breeds, but the hens are reported to be very good moms, who won't take any guff from anyone! You would have to only have hens, because the cock birds need to be away from any other cocks to avoid fatal fights.
Mt BLR Wyandotte hens have raise nice chicks for me, and they are larger birds who can set on ten or twelve eggs easily. My Speckled Sussex hens have also been broody.
Belgian d'Uccles are small, but very enthusiastic broody hens, and a lot smarter and hardier than those Silkies!
Mary

Interesting! I’ll have to check them out. Thank you!

 

[Chestnut Hill]

That's what I would advise, a good Aussie hen will do the trick

You’re the 4th or 5th person who has mentioned Black Australorps. I’ll have to read up on them. Thank you!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Thank you!

I wish I had all three breeds