Broody hen suggestions?

[EastinChickens]

I just purchased a RIR cockerel, 2 Barred Rock pullets, and 5 RIR pullets to add of my flock of 7 Red sex-link hens.
Now, I am wanting to hatch eggs at home now that I have a rooster. I have read that RIR's can be bad mommies, so should I get a broody hen to hatch the eggs, or do you guys think the hens I already have can take care of the chicks?

Thanks,
Breana

P.s. No, I don't want to use an incubator. I want the chicks to be hatched naturally and be able to learn from their mother.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

I don't think RIR or Barred Rocks are necessarily bad 'mommies', but rather not typical breeds to reliably go broody. I've had a few do so over the years and two of my blk-sex-link hens went broody last year. I don't know how successful you will be purchasing a 'broody' hen, as sometimes moving them 'breaks' the broodiness. But if you go looking for a hen to go broody, some breeds seem much more likely to do so ... bantams, cochins, & silkies, among others.