Dual purpose breeds for broodiness

[AinaWGSD]

Just when I think I know what I want, I start to change my mind! I'm still leaning towards orpingtons, but after attending a poultry show this weekend my husband just doesn't think the buffs (which I was thinking about starting with) are all that "pretty" (he does like the blacks though). So, after wandering through the exhibit hall, we had a discussion that we could always change our minds about what breed we wanted or even go with more than one. I asked him what birds he liked and he seemed to like the light brahmas, buff brahmas, and blue laced red wyandottes. We are looking for a breed(s) that will hatch their own eggs, so broodiness is a must. Any suggestions for dual purpose breeds (other than orps) that tend to make good broodies? Preferably something that would do well with orps.

 

[pdsavage]

Speckled Sussex tend to go broody more then the other Sussex colors.
Plus they are pretty to look at....
But as with any chicken you never know what the breeder did with the line,like some breed for looks,some for egg size and some for a bigger chicken ect ect ect.Usally the broody part gets breed out.

 

[Crunchie]

My best broody hen is an Ameraucana. They are considered dual purpose, though they are a bit smaller than the Orpingtons and a lot of other dual purpose breeds. I also have several cuckoo Marans hens that make great broodies & chick mothers. These would be a bit meatier than the Ams.

Of course, like pdsavage said, with a lot of breeds your mileage may vary.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the Brahmas & Wyandottes are typically all that broody?

 

[cybercat]

I went with Partridge Rocks for they are known to be very broody. I have 4 now that are even with high heat. We hit mid 90's here at the house yesterday. On my blog I have pics of them all winter long and have their story from day 1. Going to be putting in new pics soon as I have chicks coming to replace some I lost to hawks this past year. I got eggs all winter and still getting eggs now even with the heat. These are nice chickens too even my rooster has been great. Not overally loud either. Not like my neibors that crows all the time.

 

[BeccaOH]

I've had 3 broody Buff Oprs this spring. The Orpingtons also come in lovely blue.

I also have had a Black Australorp go broody. The BAs can be meaty.

 

[Nostalchic]

Orpingtons are known for broodiness, watch what you wish for! I love my Buffs, and I think they are beautiful, with their shiny golden feathers. Cochins are also very broody (both of mine, as we speak) and are lovely dual purpose birds, very friendly, but not the most efficient of layers. I thinks it's really fun having a mix of breeds, with a colorful flock, so many different personalities...but there are those purists out there who advocate for a single breed flock.