I have 2 Barred Rocks, a Rhode Island Red, a White Leghorn and 3 Sexlinks...a Brahama and a Silky roosternot one hen has ever gotten broody in 3 years. Is this normal? When I had chickens I didn't WANT to reproduce, they were broody all the time!
Childless Chickens
Well to be sure if that rooster were a hen we'd not be having this conversation...LOL. Most of of here would be very happy with that as most of us hatch our own. I don't think it is unusual with that few of chickens except in my experience the Brahamas were always broody. Have a great day and welcome to the forum...Haystack
Welcome!
Not all chickens get broody. We have more than 80 and only a handful of those ever get broody. We have some we wish wouldn't get so broody, they are regular hatching machines.
All but the Silky and the Brahama have been selectively bred not to go broody. Even among my Buff Orpingtons only certain hens ever brood. As Hay said, if you want a broody hen, get a Silky.
Cochins are pretty good broodies too, but I have never seen anything like the Silkies. They will sit on and hatch anything.
Thanks guys! I guess I will have to buy some different chickens! :)
Henderson's Chicken Chart is a good source of information on which pure breeds are frequent brooders. Of course there are always the odd individual birds: broody Leghorns do happen.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html#b
My bantams go broody, bless their little hearts. I've taken away the eggs and now they're sitting on each other! Poor things. I've explained that, since we have no rooster they won't have chicks, but I guess hope springs eternal in the chicken breast.