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Breed shortlist
Broody hens for hatching eggs
A broody hen sits on eggs until they hatch and raises the chicks herself, which saves an incubator and a brooder. She also stops laying while she does it.
How the list is made
Breeds whose general traits say they go broody often or very often, the most reliable first. 11 breeds in the catalogue qualify, and 11 of them can be ordered today. Sorted by how many listings are in stock.
| Breed | Eggs a year | Egg colour | Temperament | Climate | In stock | Pullets from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cochin | 120–160 | light brown | Friendly | Cold hardy; struggles in heat | 21 of 21 | $14.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Silkie | 100–120 | cream | Friendly | Copes with cold if kept dry | 7 of 10 | — |
| Old English Game | 100–150 | tinted | Active; males fight | Hardy | 33 of 35 | $14.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Orpington | 175–200 | light brown | Friendly | Cold hardy | 9 of 9 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Japanese Bantam | 75–100 | cream | Friendly | Struggles in cold and wet | 6 of 6 | — |
| Yokohama | 80–100 | tinted | Active | Hardy | 3 of 3 | — |
| Dorking | 150–190 | white | Calm | Hardy | 2 of 2 | $19.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Cubalaya | 80–120 | tinted | Calm with people | Copes with heat | 2 of 2 | — |
| Aseel | 40–70 | tinted | Fights other birds | Hardy | 2 of 2 | — |
| Belgian d'Uccle | 100–150 | cream | Friendly | Hardy | 2 of 2 | — |
| Red Junglefowl | 30–60 | tinted | Flighty | Copes with heat | 1 of 1 | — |
Traits are general to each breed, from the breed standards and long-running references; a hatchery's own line can differ. "In stock" counts the breed's varieties that can be ordered today, and the pullet price is the cheapest sexed pullet among them.
Using a broody
A broody hen will sit on any egg, so a Silkie or Cochin can hatch eggs from breeds that rarely sit themselves. Give her a quiet, separate nest, mark the eggs you set so you can remove any laid later, and expect about three weeks for chicken eggs. If you want eggs rather than chicks, a broody streak is a cost: she will stop laying for weeks.
Figures on this page were computed from the catalogue reading of October 25, 2026.