looking for excellent broody breed

[silkie101]

silkies

 

[Nostalchic]

Of my hens (see list below) the Cochins, BO's, BA's, and Partridge Rocks have been broody. Of these, the Orpingtons have been the best mothers. It's not just whether they will hatch out some chicks, but their position in the flock to consider. My Cochins are too submissive and don't do as well protecting the chicks when they're integrated into the flock (I do this at two weeks or so) as the Buff Orps. The Partridge Rocks didn't stick it out. My best broody is a Buff Orp (Ms. Honey), and she will hatch out a big brood and also willingly take on any chicks that I add to the bunch, which is just fantastic! And she is friendly, but very protective of her kids, and quite devoted until they are old enough to fend for themselves. She's pure gold (so to speak)!

 

[kathyinmo]

Every breed I have goes broody ............ AND at the same time!

Silkies are top broodies. I had 8 hens, ALL broody!

 

[Sparklee]

Quote:
Kraienkoppe hens (from Ideal) are probably the easiest way to go. Sand Hill has them, but I wouldn't wait on them to send you any.

Do exactly what Harvey says and you will have success. His article is just like a fail safe recipe for success.

Black Copper Marans from the right line can be fairly broody. Ask in one of the threads for that breed and you should come up with someone who will sell you hatching eggs from their broody girls (or maybe there's someone locally you can buy chicks from). I've had about two out of eight be broody off and on all spring/summer which means I think almost all of them have been broody at least once this spring/summer. But not all at the same time. I had three hatch out chicks last summer and they were good moms.

 

[phasianidae]

My Silkie hens are insanely broody and have done an excellent job of hatching eggs. Some of my OEGBs are broody and some arent.

 

[HatchingFever]

Silkies mine go broody like 3 times a year there crazy.

 

[VA Susan]

I've had three kinds of hens go broody: a BO, a Speckled Sussex and an OEGB Banty. None of my NH ever went broody or my RIRs. The Speckled Sussex reminded me of Darth Vader when she took her breaks from the nest. She would puff up and hold her wings out and look so menacing that she would scare all the other chickens away. She was very good at protecting her chicks too. The Banty has gone broody three times since I got her last summer. The last time she hatched out and raised 7 chicks. She is timid around the other chickens but was still a great mother.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

My Buff Orpington went crazy broody in May. Lucky for her we were having chicks delivered in June. Everyone is happy!

 

[chickendales]

silkies and stanard cochins make great broodies my standard hatch15 chicks

 

[buckabucka]

I've heard orpingtons, cochins, and silkies are all good.

Both of my Buff Chanteclers have been extremely persistent broodies. They are still sitting right now, along with the Brahma and Marans.