Which broody hen breed to add to existing flock?

[629864]

I have a Speckled Sussex, going on 6 yr, and she’s never gone broody.
None of your RIR’s have been broody? I had one that was compulsively broody.
One of my brown leghorns went broody once.

Yes! What he says. No guarantee.

In AR, you don’t have to worry about it getting too cold. I live a little further north than you, and had 2 feather-footed breeds (Cochin and D’Uccle) and they never had a problem in winters. In fact, I thought that the feathered legs/feet helped keep them warmer.

That's good to know. I was thinking more about the wet cold. We had a week straight of rain with nighttime temps in the low 40s. Now that the rain has stopped, the ground is still saturated, but mornings are in the low 20s.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Best broodies for flocks:

Game hens

Silkies

Black Sumatra

Barred Rock

Buff Orpington(Occasionally Broody)

 

[629864]

Well, I guess I'll have to wait and see if one of my EEs or Brown Leghorns will go broody. It's probably not going to be relevant anyway for another year ...since my cockerells are all just 4 months old (just shy of 19 weeks). Again, new to roosters as well, but what I've read is that they arent reliable "shooters" until around 18 months. I hope that's wrong because I would love to have more chicks this spring ... with their mama raising them.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Well, I guess I'll have to wait and see if one of my EEs or Brown Leghorns will go broody. It's probably not going to be relevant anyway for another year ...since my cockerells are all just 4 months old (just shy of 19 weeks). Again, new to roosters as well, but what I've read is that they arent reliable "shooters" until around 18 months. I hope that's wrong because I would love to have more chicks this spring ... with their mama raising them.

Cockerels do have to do alittle practice before they achieve a successful mating.

Some get it right the first time, some get it wrong multiple times before doing it right.

 

[DobieLover]

Again, new to roosters as well, but what I've read is that they arent reliable "shooters" until around 18 months.

I have no idea where you heard that but it's not accurate. Every cockerel here has managed to hit the target within the first month of beginning to mate. Believe me. They get plenty of "practice" in MANY multiple times a day.

 

[629864]

@DobieLover
Some article I found when Googling. I'm just REALLY glad to hear it was wrong. My three Brown Leghorns have been crowing since they were about 10 days old. It was ADORABLE! But my little EE cockerell has never crowed. Do any of you know if this is normal or not at just under 19 weeks old?

 

[DobieLover]

@DobieLover
Some article I found when Googling. I'm just REALLY glad to hear it was wrong. My three Brown Leghorns have been crowing since they were about 10 days old. It was ADORABLE! But my little EE cockerell has never crowed. Do any of you know if this is normal or not at just under 19 weeks old?

He's submissive to the others.
You have too many males. I would whittle it down to just 2.

 

[LaFleche]

I can recommend SLW = silver laced Wyandottes. Mine have been broody at least twice per year and raised very successfully a lot of chicks over the years.

Although they are beautiful and friendly, I would not choose a Brahma, as they are too heavy and clumsy, often treading on their own overly feathered feet and cracking up the hatching eggs.

 

[Mrs. K]

I love a broody hen, and really prefer to raise chicks that way. But getting a broody hen seems to be in the hands of the gods. Recently I did read an article here about promoting broodiness, but I have not tried it. Mine in western SD tend to go broody in late May-June, or late August... and for some crazy reason in October.

BO and EE have been my broody hens. I do not expect 100% hatches, and tend to let my broody hens do it their way. Mostly what I do is mark the eggs, and check them 2-3 times a week, so other eggs don't get in there. At hatch time, I used to worry and lock out the layers, but with more experience, I have found it really is not necessary.

If you leave the broody, with the flock she will get off the nest, and terrorize everyone...even the rooster. This gives her tremendous clout, and later when she brings our the fluff balls, everyone is already giving her a lot of room.

But I have a larger set up, and am a bit more relaxed about things. Truthfully though, NOTHING is more fun than watching a broody hen and chicks. And there is no longer time period than the 21 days until they hatch.

Good luck.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

PS - how do you like your brown leghorns? I tried them last year, but between a bull snake, and coon, (and a total make over of my run) and a sudden death, I didn't get far. I am thinking of trying them again, from a different hatchery.