Ideal broody hen

[Tsuga]

I have been raising chickens for years but this year I hatched a couple of chicks for the first time because a white leghorn, of all breeds, went determinedly broody and would not give up sitting on the eggs, even if there were none there. So I finally gave in and let her hatch a few, now I want to hatch my own. Rather than use a incubator I prefer to let a hen do it. Just feels more natural and I love seeing the mother and chicks doing there thing together

My question is this, what breed do folks think makes an ideal broody hen? I think this broody white leghorn is a fluke. I hear that Buff Orfingtons make great broody hens, what do others think?

Darryl

 

[Eastins Eggs]

I've heard Cochin make good foster brooders.

 

[morelcabin]

I use silkies...that leghorn is sure a surprise!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

We used our Buff Bramah Banty hen and she protected the nest when there was a coon scare last spring. The coon and her didn't meet face to face, but the flock was cackling and she had the knowledge that there was danger lurking. Her beautiful chicks hatched out fine, out of four eggs one didn't make it and another wasn't fertile. Her two adopted children are still alive and well today.