Broody Breed Recommendations

[varidgerunner]

Games with topknots do OK free range. But silkies and Polish not so much. It's about situational awareness and obscured vision, Toppie games usually not being as extreme with the topknot, and being aware of their surroundings, and being physically able to take evasive maneuvers. I raise chicks free range all the time.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Sorry if I’m late but I’d personally recommend a game breed. Mine goes broody often and she’s VERY protective of unfertile eggs. I probably wouldn’t go for a silkie since they’re not that hardy; but I’ve never owned one so I don’t really know. My game hen is either a mix or a Kelso. I'd love to get her fertile eggs.

Thank you! They DO sound interesting. This chicken math is hard!

 

[Chestnut Hill]

I've been keeping the black Australorps in my flock for 15 years. I still have one that is 11 years old and she laid 12 eggs this spring. They are excellent layers when not brooding.

It’s interesting that so many have recommended them. Thank you!

 

[50-45-1]

i am supprised your barred rocks are not producing a broody or two. One of the best broody moms i ever had was a BR. I have 4 broodys right now 2 of whom are barred rocks.
Other good breeds for good broodys on my list would be Buff Orphingtons, Black Australorps, Japanese Bantams and Cochins standard and bantam.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

I second the Orpingtons. It wasn't desired in our case, but it sure didn't stop them!

I think that the Buff are so pretty. But I worry about them being too visible to predators. Since mine free-range all day. I should look at the other colors.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Never had a problem with a game hen asil or otherwise harm itself while nesting. They come off to eat. They also carry off bad eggs. They teach the chicks to roost, unlike silkies, who don't appear to know how to roost. The roosting thing can be a problem. Some of the American Games I have had would try to get chicks to roost when American game chicks were ready to roost, at four weeks they can fly up in a tree and perch all night. Sometimes doesn't work so well for chicks that aren't games, so you need to take that in consideration.

This has been a fascinating discussion. I love it. Thank you!

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Silkies don't fly well, or at all, so one of the many reasons I'm not fond of them. Free ranging is hard on Silkies, or other breeds with topknots.
Mary

Silkies are not for me, although my Silkie mix is great!

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Games with topknots do OK free range. But silkies and Polish not so much. It's about situational awareness and obscured vision, Toppie games usually not being as extreme with the topknot, and being aware of their surroundings, and being physically able to take evasive maneuvers. I raise chicks free range all the time.

Yeah, I would think that breeds with the large topknot would be at a real disadvantage out in the world.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

i am supprised your barred rocks are not producing a broody or two. One of the best broody moms i ever had was a BR. I have 4 broodys right now 2 of whom are barred rocks.
Other good breeds for good broodys on my list would be Buff Orphingtons, Black Australorps, Japanese Bantams and Cochins standard and bantam.

They are hatchery birds, so that could be it. There is a chance, I suppose, that one is on a nest somewhere. One disappeared recently. I assumed that a predator had gotten her.

 

[kwhites634]

Hi All,
I currently have 8 Barred Rock hens, 1 Silkie mix hen, 2 Barnyard mix Roos, 3 chicks of unknown sex and 4 Guineas. They all free range during the day. The Guineas insist on roosting out in the open, so their numbers are dwindling. My Silkie mix recently went broody and hatched and raised the 3 chicks. She did a GREAT job raising them and it was SO much easier than keeping chicks/keets in a brooder.

I’m getting ready to order keets. I thought I’d get a few more BR. And because having a Mama Hen was so amazing, I’d like to get a couple of a breed that’s likely to be broody/good Mama.

I love my BR, but they aren’t broody. I would like similar traits to them. They are very low-key, they aren’t excitable. This is important because I have sight hounds, they chase things that run. My BR actually intimidate the dogs and the barn cats, they take no crap. They are heat and cold tolerant. They are curious and friendly, albeit not affectionate.

Thanks!

Might look into Orpingtons; supposed to be broody-prone, along with Cochins. I have 5 Buff Orps that are reasonably friendly, but not underfoot. My favorite (never thought I'd ever say that about a chicken) is usually the first to meet me at the gate, is learning to take feed from my hand, & is the only bird I've been able to pick up when I want, ever. They just turned 4 months yesterday, so I can't vouch for their broodiness, but the reason I have them is their reputation as good broodies.
I read an article not long ago that ranked Silkies, Cochins, and Buff Orpingtons 1-2-3 for broodiness.