Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of replenishing your laying stock, so there are pros and cons depending on your desires. Winter
hardiness isn't needed in a flock that lives in climate-controlled situations for its short life, but for a
backyard flock it might be a positive trait.
deFinitiOn
A
broody
hen is one that “goes setting” or sits on her eggs to hatch them. A hen in brood should be sepa-
rated from the rest of the flock (if you wish to allow the hen to hatch her eggs) and placed in a small pen
with food and water close to her. She will stay on the eggs until the eggs hatch. Broodiness is triggered by
the longer days in the spring and is often appreciated on the backyard farm, where free baby chicks are
considered a plus. This trait has been bred out of most commercial laying strains because they prefer the
hens not take a break from laying eggs.
This hen is displaying the classic broody posture. Notice how she's laying flat against the ground, spread
out to cover a wide area with her warmth, and has her feathers fluffed out to increase warmth and
insulation for her babies.
(Photo courtesy of Sammydavisdog)
The following breeds are just a few of the many hundreds of breeds that are available. These
are some of the most popular and useful on backyard farms and several of them are endangered
heritage breeds. According to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), a heritage
chicken breed must be able to reproduce naturally; should represent a standard, recognized chicken
breed; and must have a slow growth rate and long life span when raised in a traditional backyard
environment.
