Question about a "broody hen"

[msduras]

I and my husband are raising barred rocks....our first chickens, 4 girls and a handsome boy "cogburn"..now here is the question...will these hatch their own chicks? I cannot seem to get an answer as to whether they may make good parents or not..please advise!!! Should I get a differnt breed to set on the eggs? HELP! (ps - no eggs yet)

 

[lauralou]

It just depends... Any hen of any breed can possibly go broody and hatch out chicks for you. Some breeds are known for their broodiness, yet you may get a hen of that breed that never goes broody. There's really no way to tell in advance.

Sorry, I wish I could give you a better answer!

P.S. if you are close to me, come get a broody hen! I have them coming out of the woodwork!

 

[jhm47]

It has been my experience that Barred Rocks are pretty good at brooding and raising their chicks. I haven't had any BR's for about 20 years, so they might have bred the broodiness out of them since then.