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We live on 36 acres in north central Arkansas surrounded by woods. Our flock free ranges on the 1+ acre fenced area surrounding our home. In summer, they're allowed to go further afield when predators find the free meal too much of a risk - when considering they first have to get past the fields where our livestock guardian dogs roam. However, year round, predators from the sky are a risk, as with most any free range flock. The flock gets put up each evening in an enclosed run.
We have 16 RIR hens all about 1.5-2 years old. We added more chicks hatched mid August: 3 each brown leghorn pullets/cockerells as well as 8 Easter Egger pullets with 1 Easter Egger cockerell. Everyone is integrating well. One of the brown leghorn cockerells seems to be taking charge of being top guy, although all 4 cockerells are still young, so dominance might still flop flop until they sort that out.
We want a sustainable flock, so we need a hen or two that will keep us in regular chicks, but not be bullied by our current flock members.
I would go with Brahma, as I think their size would make up for their gentleness in our flock. However, we have a lot of rainy mucky winter weather and I'm afraid a brahma would end up with frost bite from wet legs.
Next consideration is Sussex. They're also supposed to be frequently broody and excellent mothers. Not sure about adding more white birds to our free-range flock though.
We frequently have below freezing temps in winter, summers are humid and hot. Our enclosed run is not covered and we cannot cover it because it would collapse under the weight of snow. We cannot afford to build a completely new run of this size, but we have the space and willingness to add a broody area for a hen to raise chicks if needed/recommended until they're old enough to join the rest of the flock, but would appreciate guidance on that as well.
As I have zero experience with broody hens, I'm open to any and all feedback about the best breed to get for broodiness in our climate from experienced sustainable flock owners.
Thanks a bunch in advance!
We have 16 RIR hens all about 1.5-2 years old. We added more chicks hatched mid August: 3 each brown leghorn pullets/cockerells as well as 8 Easter Egger pullets with 1 Easter Egger cockerell. Everyone is integrating well. One of the brown leghorn cockerells seems to be taking charge of being top guy, although all 4 cockerells are still young, so dominance might still flop flop until they sort that out.
We want a sustainable flock, so we need a hen or two that will keep us in regular chicks, but not be bullied by our current flock members.
I would go with Brahma, as I think their size would make up for their gentleness in our flock. However, we have a lot of rainy mucky winter weather and I'm afraid a brahma would end up with frost bite from wet legs.
Next consideration is Sussex. They're also supposed to be frequently broody and excellent mothers. Not sure about adding more white birds to our free-range flock though.
We frequently have below freezing temps in winter, summers are humid and hot. Our enclosed run is not covered and we cannot cover it because it would collapse under the weight of snow. We cannot afford to build a completely new run of this size, but we have the space and willingness to add a broody area for a hen to raise chicks if needed/recommended until they're old enough to join the rest of the flock, but would appreciate guidance on that as well.
As I have zero experience with broody hens, I'm open to any and all feedback about the best breed to get for broodiness in our climate from experienced sustainable flock owners.
Thanks a bunch in advance!
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