Could I get a Leghorn hen that hatches eggs through a specific cross?

[Seidenhahn]

Could I get a Leghorn hen that hatches eggs through a specific cross?

Hello everyone! I already have quite a few hens and roosters and I don't want to buy any more breeds. Among other things, I have almost 30 Leghorns that I love very much, but they have one drawback: they don't hatches eggs! I bought a dark brown Silkie rooster 2 months ago that I would like to cross with my Leghorn hens. What are the chances that at least some of the offspring will be laying eggs? Is one cross enough or should I continue with other crosses with Silkie roosters? I am open to any suggestions and ideas from you.

Thank you!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I started with feed store breeds and hybrids. I also got breeder quality eggs. With those I introduced Marans, which do go broody quite often. I found that the first cross (in particular Red Sex Link with Marans) did provide some broodies. Interestingly, I find that chicks hatched by a broody somehow remember that experience, and each generation becomes more likely to brood.

What I did find too was that in nonbroody breeds, they were not annoyingly dependable like a Silkie. So each year I had somebody go broody, but I didn't necessarily have the same hen each year....until I was in a few generations (say 3 or 4).

Silkies are VERY reliable broodies. A cross from one of those would almost definitely be more likely to brood than a White Leghorn. Back cross to the Silkie roo, and you will by 2nd generation be very, very likely to have some serious broodies. By 3rd, you'll recapture a lot of the Silkie traits and temperaments especially for those chicks brooded by a hen...they learn from momma!

You'll be happy with the Leghorn addition to the genetics. It will produce a 3/4 size bird that will cover more eggs than a pure Silkie. They will also lay a fairly large egg. Production will reduce from the White Leghorn standard, decreasing each back cross as the broodier they are the less they produce.

Good luck on your project. I think you will be very happy by generation 2 and likely have some luck with gen 1.

LofMc