What heavy hen make the best brooders

[nitro]

Since so many breeds dont set anymore are their any heavies that go broody better its nice to see the ole fashion way at work much easier any addvice

 

[Dirt Road]

Buff Orpingtons seem to have a good reputation as broodies. Can't say for certain if it's deserved or not, but some folks swear by them. I've owned a few that were in fact quite good. Speckled Sussex, I've heard are pretty good. I'm sure others have their own favorite.

Jim

 

[chickenboy1993]

silkies arent a heavy breed but they are know for there broodiness

 

[Goose and Fig]

Cochins are supposed to be great broodies. I won't know until next spring! Only 1 of my 4 Orpingtons went broody this year.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Also- I only have one- but my Black Australorp hatched a mixed clutch and is a super mom.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Silkies are way broody and i hear Cochins are too

 

[dancingbear]

I've had several buff orps, but only one that ever brooded. Got one about 6 or 7 years old, she's never brooded even once.

I have light Brahmas who are great brooders and good moms, very easy to add extra chicks to, as well. Same for my dark Cornish hens, they'll hatch and raise anything. I have one who just finished raising a clutch of guinea keets. I have a brahma/australorp cross raising a turkey poult and a keet. I have an EE/buff Brahma cross about to go broody for the 2nd time this year. 8 broodies right now, 2 dark Cornish, 3 light Brahma, 1 light brahma Cross, 1 Australorp, and the EE mix. All these are heavy breeds, no bantams.

 

[geebs]

I have both silkies and cochins... Both are VERY BROODY...My 2 year old cochins are by far the most aggressive mothers... My silkie lacks size and meanness necessary for defending young babies.. She is an EXCELLENT sitter... best out there... for mothering... The cochins... Bantam and particularly aggressive mothers... (I like that in a mama hen) I haven't had anything else that was as good as a bantam cochin... Have had a lot go broody but not with a survival rate as good.

 

[dancingbear]

My dark Cornish are fierce defenders of eggs and babies. The broodies will try to take your arm off if you mess with their eggs. I saw the one with the guinea babies attack my dogs when she thought they were too close.

 

[vwoods]

My black australorp has just out her first brood and she is doing a great job. I've heard that buffs are great too but I have 4 buffs and they haven't bothered to go broody yet...too busy eating and staying fat I guess?