Hi everyone,
The majority of my hens have been laying an egg a day steady now since Jan 23 of this year. I read hens go broody after they lay their clutch. I was wondering about how many eggs are in a clutch and should I start *eggspecting* my hens to go broody any day now( most have laid 10 eggs each so far). I have brown sexlinks and black sexlinks (11 months old)
Thanks
Lisa

Lisa, Don't be surprised if your sexlinks do not ever become broody. They would not be expected to lay a "clutch", as they were not developed for setting or hatching. Expect them to lay a LOT of eggs with maybe a short rest or so during their first year. Hens of breeds not developed with laying eggs their primary purpose, vary considerably by both breed and individuals in size of "clutch". Might be 15-20 eggs, might be 40-50. Older hens lay fewer eggs before setting. But with sexlinks, you might be lucky and have a broody, but don't count on it! CJR

Thanks CJR :-)
Gonna buy some pullets that go broody :-)
Lisa

Good broodys are silkies.
Bantamluver

LisaF, Years ago, when I was winding down the need for eggs for my family, fryers for the freezer, I wanted some setters, in large fowl, that layed well, and that the cockerels would be heavy enough to be good fyers/broilers, and chose Speckled Sussex. It was a good choice. Because I only wanted 6-8, I ordered the minimum--I think 25, and put an ad in the weekly shopper their date of arrival and for sale. Two people each bought 6-8 of the extras , (I kept only one cockerel and butchered the other cockerels) and they were delighted that indeed, they didn't have to purchase 25 chicks, and the hens did set and hatch off some nice broods of Sussex. And they are beautiful, to boot! Just an idea. There are a number of breeds of poultry, both large and bantam size, that are wonderful setters and mothers. But you will have to check on the ones that have not lost the setting instinct! CJR

Attention, this is no own experience!
I have been told Cochins make very good setters and mothers, seems like that is what they do best (except from being very playful, own experience, I have one hen and all she does is act the goat) Anny