- May 26, 2009
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I have four RIR hens and one BR hen that are about sixteen weeks old. I have heard/read that twenty weeks is the approximate time for them to start laying. Is this accurate? I don't have nest boxes built yet (that's on the agenda), and I'm wondering how much time I actually have. How soon can hens be expected (average?) to start laying? Anyone have them start earlier than 20 weeks?
One more question...can either RIR's or BR's be expected to go broody? I have been told that so much breeding/crossbreeding has been done that the tendency for hens to go broody has been all but lost. Is this so? I would love for mine to go broody and hatch off their own eggs, but I don't know if this is a reasonable expectation. If these are not good "broody" breeds, is there a breed that is dependable as a setter that I could get a couple of to use a broody hens? I don't know why but IRI's, BR's and Partridge Rocks are my favorite breeds. I guess I just associate them with "old-fashioned." Has anyone had personal experience with RIR's or BR's going broody?
Thanks for any advice or input.
One more question...can either RIR's or BR's be expected to go broody? I have been told that so much breeding/crossbreeding has been done that the tendency for hens to go broody has been all but lost. Is this so? I would love for mine to go broody and hatch off their own eggs, but I don't know if this is a reasonable expectation. If these are not good "broody" breeds, is there a breed that is dependable as a setter that I could get a couple of to use a broody hens? I don't know why but IRI's, BR's and Partridge Rocks are my favorite breeds. I guess I just associate them with "old-fashioned." Has anyone had personal experience with RIR's or BR's going broody?
Thanks for any advice or input.
