A broody hen is a free, self-operating incubator that also raises the chicks. If you want to expand your flock without buying an incubator or day-old chicks, the right breed does the entire job for you.
What does broody mean?
A broody hen is one whose hormones have shifted into incubation mode. She stops laying, sits on a clutch of eggs almost continuously, and defends the nest. Typical signs:
- Refuses to leave the nest box, day and night.
- Puffs up, growls, or pecks when you approach.
- Flattens herself over the eggs rather than sitting upright.
- Plucks breast feathers to put warm skin against the eggs.
- Leaves the nest only briefly once a day to eat, drink, and pass a large droppping.
Incubation runs 21 days for chicken eggs. Note that broodiness is unrelated to whether the eggs are fertile — a hen will sit devotedly on unfertilised eggs that will never hatch, which is why you may need to break the cycle.
Comparison table
| Breed | Broodiness | Mothering | Eggs / year | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silkie | Extreme | Exceptional | 100–120 | The standard broody; hatches any eggs |
| Cochin | Very high | Excellent | 150–180 | Large enough for big clutches |
| Buff Orpington | High | Excellent | 180–220 | Broody plus decent laying |
| Brahma | High | Very good | 150–200 | Covers many eggs; gentle |
| Old English Game | Very high | Exceptional | 100–150 | Fiercely protective mother |
| Sussex | Moderate | Very good | 200–250 | Good balance of eggs and broodiness |
| Dorking | High | Excellent | 140–180 | Traditional sitting breed |
| Turken (Naked Neck) | Moderate | Very good | 150–200 | Also very heat-tolerant |
The 8 best broody chicken breeds
1. Silkie
The most reliable broody in the world and the reason many keepers own one. Silkies go broody several times a year, sit with total commitment, and will accept eggs from other chickens, ducks, quail, and even turkeys. Because they are small, they cover about 6–8 standard eggs. Also the friendliest breed there is — see the friendliest chicken breeds.
2. Cochin
The best large broody. Cochins are huge and heavily feathered, so a single hen can cover 10–12 eggs, and their calm nature means they rarely abandon a clutch. Excellent mothers to the chicks afterwards. Covered further in the largest chicken breeds.
3. Buff Orpington
The best compromise between broodiness and production. Orpingtons lay a respectable 180–220 eggs but go broody reliably, and their size lets them cover a full clutch. Gentle with chicks and with you.
4. Brahma
Large, gentle, and dependable. Brahmas cover many eggs and are calm enough to check on without a fight. They may be slower to go broody than a Silkie but sit steadily once committed.
5. Old English Game
Historically the go-to broody before Silkies became popular, and still one of the most determined sitters and fiercest protectors of chicks. The caveat: the breed is territorial and aggressive generally, so it suits keepers who want a dedicated hatching hen rather than a flock pet.
6. Sussex
Goes broody moderately often while still laying 200–250 eggs — the best choice if you want a productive layer that will occasionally hatch a clutch for you. Calm and attentive with chicks.
7. Dorking
One of Britain’s oldest breeds and a traditional sitting hen. Dorkings are calm, broody-prone, and excellent mothers, though less commonly available than the other breeds here.
8. Turken (Naked Neck)
Featherless necks make this breed look unusual but also exceptionally heat-tolerant — see breeds for hot weather. Moderately broody and a capable mother, with the bonus of laying 150–200 eggs.
Breeds that rarely go broody
Commercial laying strains have had broodiness deliberately bred out, because a broody hen stops laying. Avoid these if you want natural hatching:
- ISA Brown, Golden Comet and other hybrids — essentially never go broody.
- Leghorn — very rarely broody.
- Ancona, Hamburg, Andalusian — Mediterranean layers, rarely broody.
- Rhode Island Red — occasionally broody but far less reliable than the breeds above.
The flip side: these are exactly the breeds to choose if you want uninterrupted eggs. See the best egg-laying chickens.
How to break a broody hen
If you don’t want chicks, a persistent broody hen is a real problem — she stops laying, loses condition, and can develop mites from sitting still for weeks. To break the cycle:
- Remove eggs daily, including any she’s collected from other hens.
- Physically lift her off the nest several times a day and place her near food and water.
- Block the nest box during the day once other hens have finished laying.
- Use a broody breaker — a wire-floored cage with food and water but no bedding, placed somewhere cool and airy. Airflow beneath her lowers her body temperature and resets the hormones. Two to three days is usually enough.
- Never use ice water or other harsh folk remedies; they risk chilling and stressing the bird.
Act early. A hen broody for weeks loses significant weight and takes far longer to return to lay. Make sure she’s eating properly throughout — see what chickens eat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best broody chicken breed?
The Silkie is the best broody breed. It goes broody several times a year, sits reliably for the full 21 days, and will hatch eggs from other poultry species including ducks and turkeys.
How long does a hen sit on eggs?
Chicken eggs hatch after 21 days of incubation. A broody hen will typically sit for that full period, leaving the nest only briefly each day.
How many eggs can a broody hen sit on?
A bantam like a Silkie covers 6–8 standard eggs, while a large breed such as a Cochin or Brahma can cover 10–12. Never give her more than she can fully cover.
Do you need a rooster for a hen to go broody?
No. Hens go broody regardless of whether a rooster is present, but the eggs will only hatch if they were fertilised by a rooster.
How do you stop a hen being broody?
Remove eggs daily, lift her off the nest repeatedly, block the nest box, and if needed place her in a wire-floored broody breaker cage for two to three days so air circulates beneath her.
Which chicken breeds never go broody?
Hybrid layers such as ISA Browns and Golden Comets almost never go broody, and Leghorns very rarely do, because the trait was bred out to maximise egg production.
Next steps: pair a broody with productive layers from the beginner breed guide, or browse everything in the complete chicken breeds guide.
A broody spell means no eggs for three weeks or more. It is one of nine common causes covered in why chickens stop laying eggs.
The Silkie tops this list by some margin and will hatch almost any egg you put under her.