[ck2day]

Have a feeling I may be opening up a can of worms here, but have been thinking for a while now about getting a couple of hens and letting them sit on their eggs (have the offer of a light sussex cockerel from a friend, just have to persuade the OH). Am wondering which breed, or breeds, make the best broodies and mums  :roll:

Look forward to hearing from you

Claire

[babe]

silkies make wonderful broodies

[Aunt Sally]

And orpington bantams (says Muntjac)  

[Vember]

My Sussex go broody at the drop of a hat  

[Ruth Cross]

And orpington bantams (says Muntjac)  

Not Welsummers

[Aunt Sally]

And orpington bantams (says Muntjac)  

Not Welsummers

Funnily no, but they are his favourite egg layers and meat birds too  

[Lost in France]

Agree with Babe, if you have silkies...you'll almost always have at least one broody...when I had just 5, they were all broody together one summer! They also make great mums as they're very gentle...great for cuddling too...and pretty to look at...oh obviously I just love them!!

Judi

[Midwife]

My pekin bantams go broody just like that!!! :shock:

[ck2day]

Thanks very much for the recommendations. Just have to twist the OHs arm abit further and then find somewhere to obtain either a silkie or an orpington from. Maybe I will just go and get one and not tell him till she's at home. I can always try the "Oh where did that one come from, we can't let her go she's too pretty, fluffy, etc etc".

[Jellyhead]

Works for me

[Vember]

My OH can't tell which are which with names etc he gets v confused ( doesn't take much   ) I just smuggle the odd one in every so often LOL    

[Bodger]

Pure silkies don't make the best broodys but silkie crosses do.

Silkies crossed with Light Sussex or Old English Game are traditionally the favourite choice. I know of people who make reasonable money out of breeding these birds for the broody trade.

Ideally I like my broodys to have clean legs, that means unfeathered.

[ck2day]

OH has agreed to having a couple of broodies, (not that it mattered much as would have sneaked them in when he wasnt looking!). Now have to find somewhere that will sell me a couple.

Does anyone know of anywhere in Lincs that has them???

Claire

[Lost in France]

If no-one here knows of any silkies seeking a new home, maybe you could put up a little note at a local feed suppliers? Alternatively buy a copy of one of the smallholder magazines as they have lots of ads in the back. Possibly also a Google search with silkies and Lincs?

Good luck...you've lots of lovely colours to choose from but I like the darker ones because they don't show the dirt!!!  

Judi

[ck2day]

I found one website courtesy of Google, I nearly died when they were priced at £40 each!!

I know they are nice but at that price I may have to have a rethink!!