Opinions.....

[Leah and peeps]

hey,

in your expeiriences and opinions what is the best setting breed that you have had??.... a great mother and layer?

Thanks

 

[EAST TEXAROO]

A game hen is the best I have seen. They will sit forever and protect the babies like no other hen will.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
Yup! Game hen without a doubt......Pop

 

[shelleyd2008]

OEG (game) hens are excellent broodies and mothers, and they also lay large to extra-large sized eggs, about 5 or 6 eggs a week. Plus they are bigger than bantams (almost any breed of bantam is a good broody/mother), so they can take care of more eggs/chicks.

 

[Judy]

My Kraienkoppe is under two years and has just raised her second batch; she was broody a third time but I, foolishly, did not get her anything to raise, so she stayed broody for 3 months. She is an outstanding mother and a good forager anyway.

I'm surprised most said OEG; I figured everyone would say Silkies. Silkies don't look like chickens to me, and they have a skull defect. Kraienkoppes look a lot like a brown leghorn and lay a light brown egg. There are some other good choices. This article talks about broody breeds:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

I originally had 3 Kraienkoppes who shared the mothering duties of one lone chick last year. Also, she is the gentlest and friendliest chicken I have, the only one who is a pet.