What heavy hen make the best brooders

[greenfamilyfarms]

Cochins and Orps are the best in my opinion. This year both of my Cochins have gone broody twice. Out of the Orps (I have about 12 hens that are mature enough to lay), I've had 6 broodies. Two of them have been broody twice this year.

 

[nitro]

Thanks to everyone im hearing Cochins and BOs a lot are Cochins a hardy chicken like most heavy breeds

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
You might find this link helpful. http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

They show on the chart the main traits of many breeds, including whether they tend to brood. Plymouth Rocks, (regardless of color, doesn't matter whether they white, buff, barred, or whatever) are infrequent brooders, (meaning they might brood, but don't hold your breath) but good mothers if you do happen to get one that broods. Are Comets sex links? They are a production layer breed, right? Most of those don't brood at all. There's always a rare exception here and there, but in general, they're not gonna be standing in line to hatch the eggs.

As for the BO's, yeah, you did hear BO a lot, but at least half was people saying theirs didn't brood. I suspect that the ones from hatcheries are less likely to brood, as hatchery birds get diluted with high-production layer breeds, to get more egg production. Breeder stock BO's may have a stronger tendency to brood. (That would be an interesting thing to ask about, sometime.)

Standard Cornish (NOT the meat breed broilers) are absolutely one of the strongest brooders and best mothers. They are dedicated.

Out of curiosity, does your brother have the very same breeds that you have, or does he have others?

 

[nitro]

He has a mix of assorted everything all free range all the time sounds like i need some cochins i love the comets i have very gentle and good layers what is there cross i hear two different things NH x white rock also NH x W Leg I wanted to cross RIR with A white which one? Would it be a Comet?

 

[dancingbear]

There's your answer, your brother must have a bunch of hens that are breeds that tend to go broody. If he had the same as you, he probably wouldn't get as many chicks. Though his place does sound like a fine place for hens to brood. They still have to be brooders to begin with.

I googled Golden Comets, I found out they're a cross between a white Rock hen and a New Hampshire Red roo. Not broody. But nice layers. Wouldn't hurt to have both.

Cochins are one of the many, many, good choices for broody hens. I've had cochins in the past, and they're very nice birds. I have no cochins, no silkies, and only one BO at this time, (and 1 BO cross, neither she nor her mom has brooded) but I'm up to my ears in broody hens.

Good luck, hope you get some good broodies!

 

[nitro]

I think i will try some Cochins now to find some im also in south central ky thanks for the info