Why can a broody......

[Pullet Press]

My white Silkie rooster will take care of baby chicks. He shows them food and protects them. When they get scared they run under him

That just sounds precious. He's a good daddy.

 

[Sonya9]

I'm my experience they add to the combination that creates a broody. We've always had males with our flock, but the ones that do the right things (tidbiting, interesting besides to breed, protecting, ect.) Seem to produce more goodies in the flock

It makes sense -- roosters aren't just for fertilizing eggs, they also watch for predators and help maintain social harmony all of which is important for successfully raising chicks.

 

[Simimaus]

We finally let One of my silkies Have a couple of eggs and she hatched them both and is a great little mama! Why are the chicks 10X as cute when they’re with a mama??❤❤View attachment 2320708

I agree

 

[Simimaus]

Is everyone’s broody nasty tempered???

Mine squawks at me, but I’m able to remove eggs that others laid in her box. Check her to make sure she’s healthy, etc. Gentle peck once or twice but that’s it.

My Silkie growled and pecked at my hand the first time she was broody. The second time around she mellowed out. Guess she knew I wasn’t doing anything bad. Her daughter just recently went broody for the first time. She pecked, pinched and pulled skin on my hands and arms. Hope she gets nicer the second time around...

 

[MROO]

Ah, poop. I'll have to email McMurray about putting the Light Brahma in the broody category. They were the only ones available at the time, however. Can Buff Orpingtons go broody easily?

Toss a couple of hatchery SIlkie pullets into the mix. Hatchery birds aren't usually good Silkie types, but they tend to mature larger than breeder/show Silkies, so they'll fit in better with your bigger Brahmas. Look around for some Silkie Mix pullets, too. They should be broodier than many straight pure-breds. I have a young Silkie/NHRed hen who looks like she's going to be a brooding fiend ... Not what I was looking for - she was an oops - but she's pretty and friendly, so she'll stay!

 

[Pullet Press]

Toss a couple of hatchery SIlkie pullets into the mix. Hatchery birds aren't usually good Silkie types, but they tend to mature larger than breeder/show Silkies, so they'll fit in better with your bigger Brahmas. Look around for some Silkie Mix pullets, too. They should be broodier than many straight pure-breds. I have a young Silkie/NHRed hen who looks like she's going to be a brooding fiend ... Not what I was looking for - she was an oops - but she's pretty and friendly, so she'll stay!

Thank you for the help with the broody chickens. I have purchased some Partridge Cochins. I've heard that they can set easily, so I'll give it a try. My neighbors have had some recently, and I am getting these because (I hate to admit it), but I thought that they were gorgeous chickens.

 

[MROO]

EDIT- Are there broody pills that I can give to my chickens to get them to go broody or something?

We all wish ... but more of us wish for one that would BREAK them! Broodiness generally comes with maturity, and not always then, so its hard to push. You can encourage it by leaving a couple of fake eggs in a super comfy, private spot. Eventually, one of your ladies should take the hint!

 

[MROO]

Cochins would have been my next recommendation. I'm so used to my tiny buff bantam Cochin (and you're right -- they're gorgeous!) that I forget that there's a LF counterpart!

 

[Pullet Press]

Cochins would have been my next recommendation. I'm so used to my tiny buff bantam Cochin (and you're right -- they're gorgeous!) that I forget that there's a LF counterpart!

Sorry for not understanding the lingo, but what does 'LF' mean?

 

[MROO]

Sorry for not understanding the lingo, but what does 'LF' mean?

Sorry - LF - Large Fowl, as in Large Fowl (standard sized) Cochins vs Bantam Cochins. Same bird ... itty bitty package!
You'll find a lot of chicken shorthand here. I'll see if I can find a link and post it back here for you ...

Try this link:
https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/chickens-101/common-poultry-abbreviations/