Stick with Plymouth Rocks or Try a Broodier Breed?

[rhschulz2000]

I have nine 20 week old Plymouth Rock hens (Barred, White & Partridge) that have just started laying. I want to have the experience of raising baby chicks so plan to add a rooster and maybe a couple of additional hens next spring.

Here are my questions:

• I am thinking about adding Buff Plymouth Rocks (A rooster and 3 hens) and hoping a couple of my Plymouth Rock hens will go broody. Does that make sense or will I have trouble getting chicks out of this breed?
• My second option is to add a Australorp rooster and 3 hens. I understand those hens are much more likely to go broody. Any thought about option #2.
• I would prefer to have just one breed and I am not sure if an Australorp rooster breeds with Plymouth Rock hens, what you end up with.

Thanks for any responses!

Bob

 

[Darklingstorm]

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

here is a really good site to look at the different breeds and broodiness. But if you like the Plymouth rocks and want to keep them, I've heard of people getting a Silkie as a surrogate mother since they tend to go broody a lot and it would be very easy to distinguish her eggs from your Rocks.

 

[mistressangyl]

I had no problem with my two Barred Rock females going broody and setting on eggs... they have made great mommies too I now have six babies

 

[rhschulz2000]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

Bob

 

[rhschulz2000]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

Bob