Just joined, new to this hobby and looking forward to it. I am a retired pilot with too much time and not enough energy. Gonns build a chicken caravan like the Aussie model. Have a chassis from a camper and plan to move this unit all around our farm. Thinking of starting with RIR hens and roosters, 24 hens and 4 rooster. Would like to have broody hens raise young birds, was told RIR hens are less broody than other breeds, any thoughts? Local farm supply {privately owned} sells chicks and has a great reputation for being honest and helpful. Will add pictures of the caravan as build progresses. Thanks to all for so much information shared on this site.
G’Day from down under 4121driver Welcome! Sorry, I have no experience with RIR’s so can not comment on their broodiness. I do, however, have 5 bantams that spend more time broody than they do laying eggs I recommend a visit to the Learning Centre; lots of good tips there: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center. You might want to say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread. I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
Howdy from Kansas, 412driver, and welcome to BYC! Teila gave you some great advice so I'll just say best wishes and good luck with your coop construction and chickens!!
It's nice to have you here! I've had a few RIR's and never had one go broody...that's not to say none of them ever will, that's just been my experience. As for the ratio of hens to roosters...1 roo can easily take care of 10 hens so if you want 24 girls, 2 boys is plenty, unless you plan on keeping separate flocks. I loved my RIR girls...they were a bit sassy and very good egg layers. Good luck with all your plans!
Silkies, Buff orpingtons, cochins tend to be broody relatively often but, it's not something you can turn on or off. When they are broody, you can usually swap out any eggs they are brooding and add whatever fertile eggs (any breed) you desire. They will raise them like their own. Many people get silkies just to have "natural incubators."
