Guest Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Was talking to an experienced chicken-keeping colleague at work today about my yearning to hatch some eggs next spring. My neighbour grew up on a farm and is willing to despatch male chicks if I get autosexing, or cockerals for the table. She told me that her hybrids never 'went broody' and offered to put some eggs under her bantam for me when the time comes. Part if the reason for doing it though, would be so that the neighbourhood little 'uns could see the chicks. I have read lots of posts on the forum about Omleteers who are asking IF their chickens are going broody, but can anyone conclusively tell me that hybrids WILL go broody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Yes they do. My has gone broody twice since I got her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Of my 3, the Pied Suffolk has been broody 3 times, the Rhode Island Red and Columbine have never. Only had them 14 months though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 we've had 2 bluebelles, and they have NEVER gone broody. Paris now rules the roost, and Tara Palmer-Tompkinson went to the henhouse in the sky earlier this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 My Miss Pepperpot has been broody twice in a year. But the Gingernut Ranger has never been broody. So they can go broody - but not all of them! Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I've had broody hybrids too - it's the luck of the draw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I have a light Sussex who is less than a year old and has been broody TWICE and moulted TWICE! They are a breed supposedly good for eggs but TBH she is off lay more than she is on. My best layer is a gingernut ranger. I also have another chicken that is semi broody but she's not really a hybrid as such but appears to be a cross between 2 pure breeds (which I guess is a "natural" hybrid). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Agatha, my skyline was broody for the majority of the summer - 3 times in all, with just 4 or 5 days break inbetween each session; just enough time to lay a new clutch of eggs before she started again. Tuesday, Carmen and Orla are all also regular broodies, all managing 2 sessions each this year, and the same last year. In fact oOla was broody for a total of 6 weeks or so in straight succession last year. At least this year her and Agatha kept each other company and became the best of friends while they inhabited the nest box. My other 8 girls (6 now) have never been broody and I have had some of them for nearly 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I have never had a broody hybrid. They are bred not to be broody (as they will never be used for breeding), but some go back to nature. But I have only had one broody pure-breed, so there is no guarantee there either. You have to wait until your hen goes broody, and then get the eggs quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 My Pepperpots have gone broody several times, but the others never have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I've two hybrids, and one is ALWAYS going broody for AGES at a time. Of my 2 pure breds, one has been broody breifly, the other has no maternal drive at all. depends on what pure breed you're talking about - Light Sussex, and Silkies, for example have been bred in the past by some breeders to be good broody monthers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 My pied suffolk goes broody about every 5 weeks, last year she was broody through the winter (wierd girl)! I hope she has a rest this year poor thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EileenH Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 As I recently posted, my Pepperpot has been broody twice in her short life (she started laying again today!) My Gingernut hasn`t at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 My pepperpot is currently on her 3rd broody and I've not had her a full year yet! My gingernut ranger has never gone broody. My undefined hybrid has never gone broody. Think its like people....... some do............ some dont. I used to be broody when younger............ not at all now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Can't you squeeze a pekin or silkie into your flock then hopefully you can have chicks at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Maybe they will, maybe they won't! I shall wait with baited breath! Thanks for all the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
