Looking for suggestions...

[donrae]

I don't keep Icelandics myself, but know local folks who do. Our summers top out in the low One-teens, so you should be good to go heat-wise.

 

[kfacres]

Let's do this... take out one criteria and let's see what is out there for other options on something "close".

So... Bantam or standard breeds: Great Foragers, very athletic, Great broodies, and well above average for egg laying ability.

 

[Michael OShay]

Let's do this... take out one criteria and let's see what is out there for other options on something "close".

So... Bantam or standard breeds: Great Foragers, very athletic, Great broodies, and well above average for egg laying ability.

I think Icelandics are the one breed that will fit all of these criteria. Otherwise, you're probably going to have to take out either "great broodies" or "well above average egg laying ability." Broody hens don't lay. If you don't want to invest in Icelandics, I would personally suggest going with a breed like Australorps which are decent foragers, fairly athletic, good broody occasionally and make good mothers when they do, and are excellent layers. Your going to have to make several compromises if you go with heritage breeds.

 

[FridayYet]

You might be better off keeping a few hens that go broody fairly often as your "moms", like a couple of game hens - and have the rest of them be good layers, hardy, good foragers, etc.. Then you would have a lot more choices!

 

[kfacres]

You might be better off keeping a few hens that go broody fairly often as your "moms", like a couple of game hens - and have the rest of them be good layers, hardy, good foragers, etc.. Then you would have a lot more choices!

This is what we did when we had the Cornish for so many years. I always kept a handful of silkies just to be incubators. My Cornish never lacked in broodiness, but it was usually late June before they plopped-- and once one did the whole pen decided it was time.

I just hate the idea of having multiple breeds running around. I'm more of a pureist in belief.

I've always wanted to some Leghorns. Might do some checking if there are ever any old bloodlines that aren't as productive as these modern birds, and might be inclined to set some. Course, I imagine I'll end up getting 2 breeds, or maybe an incubator! Suppose that would work well enough.

 

[FridayYet]

Now that sounds like the best idea of all! Find a breed you love and if a hen goes broody, great! and if not, you can have the incubator as back up.

 

[donrae]

If you wanted to have Leghorns as your main breed, it would be easy enough to keep a few brown egg layers as your broody mommas, you wouldn't get the eggs mixed up when hatching.

 

[Michael OShay]

If you wanted to have Leghorns as your main breed, it would be easy enough to keep a few brown egg layers as your broody mommas, you wouldn't get the eggs mixed up when hatching.

X2 on donrae's suggestion.

 

[kfacres]

I'm thinking and been doing some talking. I think production white leg horns would fit the bill real well, and opposed to hatching my future generations I'll just buy more chicks. Those birds are easy enough and cheap enough to find...

 

[Michael OShay]

I'm thinking and been doing some talking. I think production white leg horns would fit the bill real well, and opposed to hatching my future generations I'll just buy more chicks. Those birds are easy enough and cheap enough to find...

It sounds like a good solution. I do the same thing with Black Sex Links.