Wrath's Marans

[2ndTink]

Okay on the topics of broody chickens. Do chickens ALWAYS go broody at some point in their lives?

Hmm, in my experience no. I had 1 BA go broody her first year but never again, another BA goes broody at least once / year, none of my other layer breeds have tried. But those silkies thats all they want to do.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Oh, but we also have a blue feathered cockerel who is his brother with the same leakage too, hubby also would like to keep him. And all 4 bantam cockerels, and at least 1 of the big black EE mutts, plus a Dark Brahma cockerel... lol. Then we have my all the boys I need for my breeding pens plus a few spares in case my main breeder boys decide to do the chicken thing of dying...

Great minds think alike... We're not breeders, we're keepers..

"Oh, that one's pretty, keep it"

"Oh, did you see how that one ate that blade of grass, keeping that one!!"

 

[2ndTink]

Great minds think alike... We're not breeders, we're keepers..

"Oh, that one's pretty, keep it"

"Oh, did you see how that one ate that blade of grass, keeping that one!!"

Exactly

 

[wrathsfarm]

I'm over capacity too, but there's so many crosses I need to test hatch

I'm being good, I'm waiting for 2025. Trying...

I was done also, then hatched more. Now talking 2 more hatches...

 

[The Coop Crew]

Hmm, in my experience no. I had 1 BA go broody her first year but never again, another BA goes broody at least once / year, none of my other layer breeds have tried. But those silkies thats all they want to do.

Okay good haha. I’m worried about it but I don’t have typical “broody” breeds I don’t think.
I have a BCM, crested cream legbar, Oliver egger, and rainbow layer (which I think the last two are BCM + legbar mixes).

 

[wrathsfarm]

Okay on the topics of broody chickens. Do chickens ALWAYS go broody at some point in their lives?

In my opinion, no. Sadly I think broodiness is being bred out by hatcheries and you have a much better chance with the heritage breeds compared to hybrids. You stand a much better chance getting a broody from say a breeder compared to hatchery birds.
No expert on this, just my thoughts.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Okay good haha. I’m worried about it but I don’t have typical “broody” breeds I don’t think.
I have a BCM, crested cream legbar, Oliver egger, and rainbow layer (which I think the last two are BCM + legbar mixes).

All 4 of my broodys are BCM... Just saying.

 

[2ndTink]

I was done also, then hatched more. Now talking 2 more hatches...

Go team!

Well, if you process the extras, you'll be set for winter

 

[2ndTink]

In my opinion, no. Sadly I think broodiness is being bred out by hatcheries and you have a much better chance with the heritage breeds compared to hybrids. You stand a much better chance getting a broody from say a breeder compared to hatchery birds.
No expert on this, just my thoughts.

I agree. But, both BAs are hatchery bred, although of the 40-ish hatchery chickens I've had, those are the only broodies.

 

[The Coop Crew]

All 4 of my broodys are BCM... Just saying.

Oh great we don’t have room for more chickens but we also don’t have a rooster so we should be good