They particularly enjoy grass and soft sand patches, since that kind of terrain wont irritate their feathered feet as they scratch for grubs and grit. In recent years the upsurge in backyard chicken keeping has seen the popularity of this old favorite rise again. Egg Production Though Brahma chickens were primarily bred for meat, they do have fair egg production. Originally, there were dozens of different names and strains of this bird, leading to the formation of the Brahmapootra breed in 1852. Most backyard chicken keepers will place their Brahmas in a sheltered area during harsh weather conditions. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' know. However, it would be best to understand whether these chickens are the right fit for your home. Although Brahma fowl species are hardy, they are susceptible to health concerns if owners arent keen enough. Retrieved from: https://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/chickens/brahma, 18 Friendliest Chicken Breeds For Your Backyard, most expensive chicken breeds in the world, Large fowl: 4.5-5.4kgs (9.9-12lbs); bantam: 900g (32oz), Relatively low maintenance; feather care required, 8-10 weeks (broilers); 8 months (roasters). Because of these characteristics, the Brahma chicken breed is one of the most expensive chicken breeds in the world. Try to keep the birds out of the mud and be sure to keep the pens as clean as possible. By the next season, she was laying large eggs with incredibly tough shells. Make sure you inspect the feet of your chickens on a regular basis and remove any mud balls you find. You can kill a Brahma broiler at about eight to ten weeks of age, although they are most profitable at eight months. Due to their enormous size roosters of 18lb were not unknown. To give you a sense of how they look, light Brahma chickens have contrasting white and black feathers. If you show them affection, feed them enough, and give them warm protection, you can live with your chicken for as long as 5-8 years! The dark color Brahma requires a double mating technique to ensure good quality birds. They are also trusting, love attention, being handled, and can grow quite attached to their owners. What is your 4th toe called? The Dark Brahma will also have white-shouldered wings and primary feathers that are edged with white. Written by Amy Fewell with a foreword by Joel Salatin, this book teaches you how to hatch your own chicks, prevent and treat common chicken ailments, start a poultry business, cook delicious recipes with your fresh eggs, and much more. However, the breeds slow maturity rate made it lose its popularity in favor of other quickly-maturing chicken breeds. A full-grown and mature Brahma Chicken size can reach up to 30 inches tall. As for roosting space give them around 8-10 inches each. The chicks require a brooder box with fresh water, bedding, and chick feed. In America, we pronounce the "ran" as in "I ran away." (The French have a more elegant pronunciation, as with most words). If you are looking for a chicken that will provide you with both meat and eggs, then the Brahma chicken is a good choice. Owing to the weight of these large chickens, they can easily suffer from bumblefoot. Why? These birds usually start laying at around six or seven months of age. The American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection featured the light and dark varieties in its first publication in 1874 and the Buff Variety later in 1942. You can also purchase a light, dark, or buff Brahma from a specialty breeder. Small predators are not usually a match for a fully grown Brahma. Brahmas start laying eggs at about 25-28 weeks of age which is longer than most breeds, but once they do they'll lay large brown eggs. How big do faverolles get? This makes them ideal for an urban setting as long as they have enough space to roam. It needs a lot of space to move in, and being tall, they also need more ceiling and door height for their enclosures. Dark Brahmas have black spots, silver and white highlights, and a black-striped carriage. Although they fell from industry favor they remained popular with small flock keepers as they are a dual purpose hen. Beginning in the 1850s until about 1930, the Brahma chicken was the primary breed for meat production in the United States. 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Being a bird breed common to the Northern Hemisphere, keeping Brahma chickens in a spacious indoor chicken coop is ideal for preventing freezing feathers. Because of their incredibly friendly temperament and ability to tolerate confinement. These are features not commonly found with traditional coops. Being familiar with how they look is a good start. Referred to often as the King of All Poultry, this chicken breed would make a fantastic addition to your backyard flock. A classic American chicken breed, the Brahma chicken is a popular breed among hobbyists and breeders alike, laying a prolific number of brown eggs. Dark Brahma roosters have striking . Those that do go broody will set very determinedly on their eggs until hatching. Although Brahma chickens were initially met with excitement, their slow growth rates led to their downfall. The Livestock Conservancy recognizes them as recovering, for a long time dropping from popularity but experiencing a resurgence in growth as they become more popular with backyard chicken keepers. They can be difficult to sex. feathered legs and feet, and fifth toe. Because Brahmas are larger than your average chicken, they need extra care, medication, and suitable confinement should they suffer an injury or fall ill. Their feathered legs and feet also make them prone to ailments such as bumblefoot or broken quills. The hens have a more uniform, feather structure, still quite triangular but wider than a Brahma rooster. Brahmas are very calm and docile with a natural affection for their caretakers. This bird is known for its impressive size and its elegant appearance, and despite its hulking stature, will actually be the most peaceful bird in your chicken coop. : 2023 Chick Feeding Guide, Top 5 Chicken Fencing to Keep Your Flock Safe (2023 Review), Bantam Chickens: Breed Profile and Care Guide (2023), Araucana Complete Care Guide: All You Need To Know (2023), The Polish Chicken: Breed Profile and Care Guide (2023), The Best Chicken Hatchery: A Guide to Buying Chicks Online, Best Egg Washer To Help You Clean Eggs Quick and Easy (2023), Best Animal Repellent to Protect Your Flock (2023) Guide, Best Chicken Starter Kit: All You Need to Raise Chicks. A Brahma hen is particularly broody in the summer, attentively sitting on its eggs most of the time. There are some bantam breeds that have six toes on each foot. This chicken species is renowned for their heavy, deep, tight plumage and a thick coat that makes them hardy poultry. This was followed by White, Buff, Partridge, Black, and Blue and Gold Partridge. Pet Keen is reader-supported. However, you can find these birds in a lot more colors, including White, Blue, Black, Partridge, and Barred. Lets look at the reasons why you should make the beautiful Brahma a part of your flock. Usually, this chicken breed will be more variable in size, ranging from 8 to about 18 inches in height. They can certainly make life a bit easier with the day to day chores of feeding and watering your flock and will save you a little time here and there. The thicker feathers of Brahma chickens make it easier for lice to hide. I was just gifted 3 of these Beautiful babies just before Easter off this year and I dont think Ill ever want a different bread again. Another nice thing with Brahmas is the fact that they prefer laying over the cooler months. Its appealing outlook and demeanor places it among the best backyard chicken pets for any family. The good thing is, these birds can use regular chicken bedding like dry hay, straws, pine and cedar shavings, grass clippings, shredded leaves, paper shreds, or sand. Brahmas are very placid chickens and are similar in size to the Jersey Giant chicken. Just like many birds of the Victorian hen craze era (mid-1800s) the Brahma has somewhat uncertain lineage. They can easily be contained behind a 2-3 foot high fence. Make sure to get a breathable mesh harness for when you want to take them on walks. Chickens as large as the Brahma will need a fair amount of space to keep them comfortable. Related: 18 Friendliest Chicken Breeds For Your Backyard. These chickens are quite large, but there is a misconception that they are enormous compared to other birds in a flock. You can also introduce chicks to an 18% protein chicken starter. 5. Im fairly new to the chicken kingdom, just started about 2 years ago so Im still learning. Trying to ration feed a Brahma can be difficult so we recommend the free feed choice. There is no doubt that they look both tall and stocky. This, of course, depends on the quality of care that you provide. The American Poultry Associations American Standard of Perfection initially accepted the Light and Dark color varieties in 1874. The Giant, the King, the Brahma. The Poultry Association considers Brahma as a heritage bird because it began before the mid-20th century. They thrive in cold weather and simply need proper living conditions in order to continue laying during the winter months. However, there are certain breeds (especially giant dog breeds) such as the Pyrenean Mastiff, the Beauceron or the Saint Bernard, which may have an extra finger on the dewclaw. In the summer months care should be taken to provide them with shade and water as they do not tolerate the heat well. You should also allow your chickens to free range, because Brahmas love to forage or relax under shady trees and shrubs in summer. Bantam Brahmas are much smaller with the males weighing about 38oz and hens weighing slightly less at 34 oz. Contrary to their intimidating size, the giant Brahma breed is very docile. It takes 7 months on average for Brahma pullets to begin laying eggs. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. The Brahma chicken is an Asiatic poultry breed named after the Brahmaputra River in India. Fact #1: Silkie chickens have extra toes (Though the breed standard is 5 toes, some have an additional toe for a total of 6. Some additional space considerations are perches and nesting boxes. Brahmas are also easy to contain, as they cant fly well. It is best to keep newly hatched chicks in an incubator safe from their moms feet and weight. It is best to choose a medium to large breed chick for her to take care of, as her heavy weight could be problematic for very small hatchlings. Cocks are larger in size than the hens. The earliest versions of the Brahma chicken, which were the dark and light Brahma variants, were included in the Standard of Perfection for the American Poultry Association in 1874, with the Buff Brahma variant added in the 1920s. 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg) Growing Cockerels. Brahma feathers are not rounded at the tips but have a tapering shape, with Brahma roosters having more slender feathers on their necks and rump. Both the light and dark varieties are popular among American fancier breeders, however, the penciling feather patterns in the Dark Brahma remain a fan favorite. But, researchers believe that the Brahma breed was developed in the United States from very large fowls or birds imported from Shanghai. How much room does a Brahma chicken need? Typically Brahmas start laying eggs when they're 6 or 7 months old. You can also purchase bantam Brahma breeds that are about six inches tall. To raise a happy chicken, allow your Brahma to free range and they will reward you with many pleasant clucks, beautiful eggs, and above-and-beyond friendliness! A Brahma hen can go into egg production as early as 6 to 7 months old; however, it is not uncommon for some birds to start laying as late as 12 months. Although most people argue about its exact origin, some sources suggest that it developed in America after crossbreeding the Shanghai birds from China with the Malaysian birds known as Gray Chittagong chicken. In this chapter, we look at the number of eggs Brahmas produce per year, when they start laying, and important nest box considerations for your growing hens. 4. Cover the box with a screen to eliminate the likelihood of drafts (and other pets!) Parasite infestation is common in hens and roosters too. Nov 3, 2011. Along with the size of the nest box, you should provide Brahma hens a secure chicken coop that is well-ventilated. These large birds need a fair amount of space due to their size. Brahma chickens are slower to mature and lay eggs later than most backyard breeds. (3). Do you want large, friendly, affectionate, and relatively inexpensive chickens for your backyard? Keep an eye on the baby chicks when they first hatch. The good thing is that, despite being huge, Brahmas can thrive in confined spaces. I have one beautiful rooster of Brahma. In fact because of their size they are usually pretty high in the pecking order and smaller breeds tend not to bother them. At the time, no other chicken looked anything like the Cochin. Heres an overview of this chicken breeds qualities to help you decide if theyre a good fit for you. If you are hatching your own chickens from an incubator, know that these large fowl can take a bit longer to hatch (a few hours, in most cases). Because of their determination, a really broody hen can be given fertilized eggs from another chicken to hatch. Males appear taller than females and weigh about 12 pounds (5.5kgs). While it can easily overheat in the hot summer weather, you can avoid this by providing your Brahma chicken with plenty of shade and water during the warmer months. Look out for limping, foot preening, or inflammation and swelling under the foot which could indicate bumblefoot. ring toe The likely parent birds were Shanghais and Chittagongs and Malays. The Brahma chicken was a prevalent breed in the 1930s for many reasons. Brahma chickens, like all other chickens, have relatively long life spans. Brahmas have a pea comb and dense and fluffy feathers to keep themselves warm. So, they cant scale low fences, and they wont fly away if theres no fence. Here are some general commonly shared traits. The breed is easy to contain, not being able to fly low fences very easily. On average, these birds will reach about 12 pounds for roosters and 10 pounds for hens. Brahma chickens usual only require attention to parasites such as lice, mites and worms. Despite their robust wings, these strains are not capable of flying. Brahma chickens are a large feather-footed breed with a pea comb. The Brahma is a big bird so they need more space than the average chicken. We determine the egg laying abilities of the Brahma chicken and whether this large bird is the best choice for your backyard flock. Brahma chickens have three features that set them apart from most other breeds: They are gigantic with males reaching about 12 lbs They have fully feathered legs and feet that look like pants They are incredibly gentle and sweet-natured Since the Brahma chicken breed is slow-growing, it is crucial to provide quality feed to Brahma chicks to ensure their growth. For the most part Brahmas are not known for broodiness. My 6 month old Brahma rooster is already towering over my mature Orpingtons and Australorps, they are certainly the giants of the chicken world! Their history is fraught with controversy, and as with many heritage breeds, the exact genetic makeup of this bird is unknown. On average, a Brahma chicken will lay about 150 to 200 eggs per year. This will prevent the more daring Brahmas from trying to perform high jumps to get down from the box, thereby preventing leg injuries. They can tolerate warmer climates, but not as well as other species like the Phoenix. Be sure to research each breed before considering buying them. The extra toe these breeds have is generally located higher up than their first toe (the hallux) and faces upwards. These prolific winter layers produce an impressive amount of eggs between October and May. 52. Although this breed of chicken originated as a meat production species, it is now frequently reared for egg production as it is so productive and docile to raise. Caused by their excessive foot feathering, these mud balls can cause the loss of nails or tips of toes. Otherwise, the hatching procedures and advice for raising these birds is the same as with other breeds. The Brahma is a large bird with a long, deep, and broad body. They are a dual-purpose chicken breed, which means they are great for eggs and meat. Hens lay medium to large sized eggs that can weigh up to 60 grams each. After all, people originally bred them to thrive in cold climates this is also the reason for their fully feathered legs and feet! It is better if you free range them as this will occupy their time and reduce your feed bill. Brahma hens typically have a small pea comb, while roosters have a large pea comb set on a wide head. Compared to the height of fewer than 27.6 inches for standard chickens, this certainly puts the Brahma a head above the rest! Here are a few questions you might have before making that decision. Having a proper shelter is crucial too if you want Brahma chickens to live longer. Both the light and dark colors were accepted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. This is especially true if your Brahma hen is large or if she comes into egg-laying age during the winter. Mature Brahma hens can lay an average of 3 - 5 eggs a week and about 160 eggs a year. In the winter these balls can freeze causing frostbite and in severe cases the loss of toes. The exact number of eggs will vary, of course, depending on the individual, but you can increase the egg laying ability of your flock of Brahmas by providing them with secure homes and nesting boxes as well as quality layer feed with at least 16 percent protein and plenty of calcium. While they arent largely accepted in the United States, the We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop. The Brahma chicken could be one of the most impressive additions to the backyard flock. Although males tend to be taller than females, both genders have strong feet and even stronger posture. Yet, they are one of the largest chicken breeds. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Brahmas are not so common because they are slow growers. Initiate their relationship gradually while monitoring their interaction. The breed standard includes the Light Brahma, Buff Brahma, and Dark Brahma but you can find a variety of colors like black, blue and gold partridge, or solid white feathers. The Dark Brahma exhibits the greatest differences between hens and roosters, with a dark gray hen and a black rooster.