what breed for broodiness, winterhardy and NOT featherfooted?

[Birch Run Farm]

I like the black giants for broodies. 'Momma' is turning 8 this spring, she raises lots of chicks for me:

 

[corancher]

My orpington (buff, blue, black, or splash) are the broodiest bunch of chickens I have. Second in line would be the Buckeyes.

 

[hinkjc]

Orpington are wonderful winter hardy and broody birds, but you have to watch the combs for frostbite.

My Araucana are excellent winter hardy and broody birds and the pea comb is a perfect match for cold temps. 24 degrees here today and I've got 3 broodies begging for eggs.

 

[billygoatgruff]

Buff orpps or standard sumatra...my hens are VERY broody and very cold hardy...I love them, the best breed I have ever had!!

 

[chantecler]

Chanteclers!

They are super winter hardy -very small comb so no frost bite issues.
My Buff Orpington rooster tends to get a bit of frost bite.

My Chantecler hens are already getting very broody!

"too early girls! Off the nests!!"

They lay like the dickens too!!

CHanteclers are a Canadian bird, originating from Quebec. They are made for our harsh Canadian winters. They are very friendly too.

 

[patandchickens]

Thanks very much, y'all!

Silly me, I had forgotten BO's, that may be the most reasonable candidate I suppose. Didn't know OEGBs went broody often? I'll have to look into that. Chanteclers either. I have two buff chantecler pullets right now that only just started laying a couple weeks ago at 8.5 months of age, grrrr, and although I like them well enough personality-wise, they and their brother are f/s.

I guess I'd prefer something that is not too big and hungry, although if I only had one or two I suppose it wouldn't make too much difference how much they et. If it's not smaller bodied (like OEGB) I'd prefer something that would lay decently, like a BO, *not* my procrastinative chanteclers (although of course I do understand mine may not be typical).

Thanks for all the good ideas. I think probably what I'll do is keep 'em all rattling around in the back of my head and then when I am looking at chickens or chicken books with the kids I will try to specially mention what good chickens those breeds are

Pat

 

[chickorama]

Why not feather footed????? We have 2 of them and they aren't any extra work or anything. But if you don't like the way it looks, it's another thing.

 

[Jena]

How do your Black Sex-links do for winter hardiness?

here in the UK we have a specific Breeder who has developed a Black Rock, which to you in the states is a sex link. They are bred in Scotland and are extremely hardy.

I have 4 and in all of the snow and cold we have had this winter they are doing really well. Temps have been down to minus 10 C. Have had 3-4 eggs a day. I think they are wonderful, I know this guy does focus on hardiness being in Scotland anad they are bred to free range, so I was wondering about how they do over there.

They do eat like crazy mind in this weather and have now decided that snow is bread falling fom heaven, they are chasing it, and get real disappointed. ..lol.

Jena.

 

[Chickapooh23]

Buckeyes are a very good, cold hardy breed. They are a nice dual purpose bird breed for the cold.

http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/buckeye.html

 

[BeardedChick]

Didn't know OEGBs went broody often?

I've read several articles about using OEG for working broodies. They are supposed to be "fierce" mothers.

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

"So my secret for getting lots of broody hens to do my hatching? Revert to the older, historic breeds among whom broodiness is the norm rather than an oddity. Old English Games, for example, express the trait at virtually 100%, and the hens are accomplished, attentive, and fiercely protective mothers. Note that I am not recommending basing one’s entire flock on a broody breed. A broody hen is indeed less productive where egg laying is concerned—while incubating eggs and raising her chicks, she does not lay. But one can establish a sub-flock of reliable working broodies, based on historic breeds much in need of preservation, to do all one’s hatching and brooding chores. (In addition to Old English Games, consider Kraienkoppes, Malays, Shamos, Asils, Madagascar Games, Silkies, and some strains of Dorking.)
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