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Ok, I have a question for everybody and I know I will probably get a dozen diffrent answers. I am not real good with the incubator and I like to have at least some fresh hens every year, so I thought I would get a bantie or something who will sit a batch of eggs. I have lovely chickens now, and often someone will get the incling to go broody, but alas, I think all my hens have ADD and get distracted after awhile.
So, what's the best mother hen? The fair is coming up next week and I thought that would be the perfect chance to pick up a hen. (Probably one of the loosers, I'm cheap)
I realy love the look of silkies, but are they good for anything other that tye dying at easter? (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look at the photo posting above this post!)
Ok, I'm ready, I'll be keeping tally of the best breeds in the replies and I'll pick the one I hear about most.
What's the best broody hen?
I bought silkies/eggs for the sole purpose of trying to use them as brooders so I could avoid my incubator in the spring...lol.
I bought 3 from a hatchery and then bought eggs (and they incubated really well in the bator, had a great hatch) and now have too many, although I haven't sexed everyone yet.
If you decide that silkies are what you want contact me BEFORE you buy any.....lol
~Julie =0)
In fact most of my silkies came from Vickie Pittman's stock... didn't you get your turkeys from her ??
This message was edited Aug 3, 2007 11:11 AM
Yes, I did, but that was a LOOOONG drive. DO you have any extras you'd like to sell, I know you must be closer!
I'm near Oscoda so I'm much closer.....lol.
I will be parting with some. I had planned to put an ad in the local paper when I was ready. If you decide you want some silkies after you do your research and think they will work let me know and I will see what I have to offer.
I really need to chase down all the lil buggers (they can get way back under the coop and I refuse to crawl under there...lol) and decide who I am keeping. My oldest is only 16 wks old and I cannot guarantee sex on anybody.... I will give you my best guess but it comes with no guarantees, sorry.
Julie
definitely silkies go broody all the time. I know a lot of people keep a few expressly for the purpose of brooding with them. They do lay small eggs when not broody. They are lovely. You will want 3-5 so that they can cuddle together in the winter, as they cannot fly off the ground and will need to roost with friends so they don't die in the cold months.
also, then you are pretty much guaranteed to have at least one broody at all times.
I also have a bantam silver laced wyandotte who is broody almost constantly, but I think that is just a quirk of hers.
**bump**
Julie
definately silkies,lol. they will hatch anything pretty much ya want. those stubborn girls will not give up till they hatch and are allowed to raise them. i had one a couple weeks ago who went unbroody after 6 weeks as soon as my other broody kicked 2 eggs out she stole them and went broody again and she only stopped for 2 days,lol. she is determined to hatch at any cost so i finally gave up and gave her eggs to hatch and raise.
i have hatched bantam, standard, guinea and quail eggs under them. i have heard some even sneak a peacock or 2 under them sometimes duck eggs also but i'd think the'd be to big. i have had them raise out polish and whatever and they live to be moms and will even adopt chicks at times from other mom's who won't care for them. they so far have been my ones to share eggs and chicks best and best sitters. as long as they get to be a mom sometimes 2 will even share the chores of one nest. they are excellet broodies and mom's.
i have 14+ silkie girls all are good that way. my showgirls i'm waiting to see when they are bigger if they will carry on the same silkie momness since they are half silkie. i will be tickled if they do too!!
hope this helps,
silkie