jam Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Hey guys, I don't want to cause too much of a debate, because i'm sure everybody will have their own favourites! But what breed of hen makes the best broody? Jam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'm not sure as i've never had/used a broody but i have read that Silkies & Pekins make a good broody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Silkies are a very broody breed, but not that big. However, Wyandottes are also good broodies and are much bigger Both my Silkie and Gold Laced Wyandotte live up to their broody reputation, and I am planning on getting some hatching eggs to go under my Wyandotte when the weather improves Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Silkies are a very broody breed, but not that big. However, Wyandottes are also good broodies and are much bigger Both my Silkie and Gold Laced Wyandotte live up to their broody reputation, and I am planning on getting some hatching eggs to go under my Wyandotte when the weather improves Hope this helps. I second that! There are currently two silkies (sisters to Aunty SpaceChicks Silkies) and a Wyandotte cross camped out in the little ark They are jammed into a little cat litter tray......it would amusing if they didn't go for me when I try and claim the other girls eggs.... I think it is down to the hen whether they are a good mum or not though...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'd say Silkies, they make brilliant mums. My Tiger Lily has come into lay this week, laid one egg a few days ago, a second one this morning and then sat tight on it I've taken it away because I'm setting my incubator tomorrow. I've got two LF Gold Brahmas and I'm hoping they'll be good mums this year too, they could easily sit on at least 12 eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 traditionally the old 'uns would breed a silkie-sussex cross for broodiness and size without the silkie 'hairs' that can catch a chick: they call them gold tops or clockers up t'north. They often sell them at auctions. I found one via P P forum and she's a dear as well as a brilliant broody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'm with Laurmurf, a Gold Top is widely known as the ideal broody Pekins and Silkies are also good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I would have to say Cochins Big & feathery, mine are broody nearly all Summer and they are very placid natured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 we did use our orp as a broody too but she was dreadfully clumsy, didn't keep all her eggs tucked underneath her very accommodating nether regions and turned out to be an exceptionally stupid mother too! She neglected the chicks and didn't like them tucking up under her and hated it when they jumped on her back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 One of my pekins is a fantastic mother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Hi, I have a Pekin, but am getting a couple of Silkies next month. This probably sounds a really silly question, but how do you know if a hen is broody? (Only got them late last year, so haven't experienced it yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 If they're broody they'll refuse to leave the nest box. My Silkie covers all the eggs and looks like a zombie My friends Brahma would sit on the eggs and whenever he tried to put a hand in the coop she'd maul him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 This probably sounds a really silly question, but how do you know if a hen is broody? (Only got them late last year, so haven't experienced it yet). She'll sit there and won't get off to eat and if you try and take the eggs from under her you'll nornally get shouted at and pecked There was one black pekin at the farm that was constantly broody and moody with it so you had to take a scoop to even open the coop to get eggs/clean it out Babs went broody a few times too butt we never gave her any eggs. With the Brahmas there was 2 that used to go broody in the kennel they had, one was a good mom the other wasn't so I think it is down to the hen too. I think the best broody they had was a naked neck - there were always eggs/chicks under her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Thanks, and how long do they usually go broody for? (Sorry, I'm completely in the dark about this)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Thanks, and how long do they usually go broody for? (Sorry, I'm completely in the dark about this)! Usually just a few weeks but sometimes even longer - you can do things to snap them out of it like using a broody cage also see here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Thank you lwescott, that was very informative. Really tempted to wait till one goes broody and get some eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Thank you lwescott, that was very informative. Really tempted to wait till one goes broody and get some eggs! Make sure you do some reading first ... theres a few things to think about, what would you do with the chicks especially cockerels? and you'll need separate housing for the broody + chicks. Any questions we're all here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Thank you again, we'll let the others sort themselves out first. And if we do, we'll do lots of research. I think there's something in that old saying "you need to walk before you run". Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
