However, Brahma chicken species grow slowly and can take up to 18 months to realize full maturity. Like other chicken breeds, it would still be best to observe a minimum of 16% proteins and commercial grade feed for layers most of the year or when molting. Retrieved from: https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/brahma, About the Brahma. Although the Brahma chicken is an excellent dual-purpose breed, they are slow-growing and slow-maturing chickens. 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! However, if you must keep the Brahmas together with other pets, it would help if you trained and prepared the other pets beforehand. These birds have feathers on their toes and shanks as well as gorgeous pea combs. Raising Brahma hens for meat is one of the more common uses of this gorgeous chicken. Do Brahma Chicken Get Along with Other Pets? If you are patient enough, the yield will be well worth it. You may find the Brahma chicken to be quite talkative but without the constant squawking and chirping of Leghorns, Orpingtons, or Silkies. There are countless benefits to raising these chickens, with perhaps the most notable being their ability to: However, perhaps one of the greatest benefits of raising a Brahma chicken is that these birds are adaptable to most climates, meaning you can raise a Brahma chicken no matter where you live. Unlike Plymouth Rock, this chicken breed with feathered legs is not aggressive towards humans and other chickens. Because these chickens have such a tall stance, that creates a wider and fuller-bodied appearance compared to other breeds. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! The light and dark Brahma was admitted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. The plumage consists of feathers that should be tightly held together making them dense but fluffy. Heres a list of where you can buy Brahma chickens from: Brahma is a unique breed of chicken, not only for their size but for their hardiness and pleasing personality. Although they are slower than other chicken breeds, the long wait is rewarding. Remember, these birds get to be heavier than average chickens, so the box should be well built to support their weight. When it comes to common egg color brown and pink are the norm. Egg Production Though Brahma chickens were primarily bred for meat, they do have fair egg production. Some additional space considerations are perches and nesting boxes. In America, there are three versions of the Brahma recognized: Although Brahma fowl species are hardy, they are susceptible to health concerns if owners arent keen enough. While their origins date as far back as the 1800s, today these beautiful birds have become a popular addition to the backyard flock. Founder of Chickens & You. Since the mothers are so large it is wise to keep an eye on the hatchlings so they do not get trampled by Mom. Their welcoming temperament and the fact that they are big and cant fly makes them easy to contain. Dark Brahma chicks have darker coloring and stripes down their backs, while Light Brahmas have a lighter, solid coloring. What, Chickens are wonderful animals to own, even if you dont count their many advantages, including fresh eggs and, Whether you are new to chicken keeping or youve had a run-in with a predator, the best way, Fluffy, speckled, bearded, and feather legged, you can find bantam chickens in every variety and because of their, If you could imagine a chicken with a mustache, and not just any mustache but one of imperialism,, While it may be either the prettiest or the strangest looking chicken youve ever seen, the Polish chicken, What Do Chicks Eat? These gentle giants need 12-14 square foot each. Brahmas will tolerate confinement since they are less active than Mediterranean breeds, but they absolutely shine when allowed to free range. Whats important to recognize is that Brahma hens are more likely to exhibit broody behavior if another hen has gone broody, leading to a copycat pattern that can quickly spread amongst your entire flock. I like to spend my time writing and teaching skills for homesteading and self sufficient living. These giants are great backyard chickens because they are relatively easy to care for and are friendly. It is also one of the simplest ways to keep a healthy and happy chicken! There is little you need to know about raising Brahmas as chicks they require the same conditions as other young chickens. Back in the 1800s their weight was very impressive. They are not known for fighting or fussing with other birds. The chicks require a brooder box with fresh water, bedding, and chick feed. You may have to wait a few months before you can determine the average size, color, and weight per egg. During this same period, the Light Brahmas from the US led to the development of Dark Brahmas in the UK and later on, the Buff Brahma. They are quiet and communicate in low tones. Fondly called a gentle giant among chickens, the Brahma is a large, robust bird with feathered legs and a docile personality. One full-grown bird can feed a big family! You dont want those beautiful back feathers rubbing against the roof. Brahma hens typically have a small pea comb, while roosters have a large pea comb set on a wide head. They have whats known as a beetle brow, meaning their forehead extends slightly over their eyes. If your hen begins to lose feathers as a result of a roosters pursuits, feed her a high protein supplement to encourage them to grow back. Here is a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about this illustrious bird. Brahmas occasionally develop mud balls or fecal balls on their toes. If you purchase a light Brahma, it will have a base color of white with black and white hackles and a black tail. Perfect for anyone wanting to take a natural approach to backyard chicken keeping! They dont need to scratch or free range as often as other breeds, being very laid back. The Brahma chicken is an Asiatic poultry breed named after the Brahmaputra River in India. Your feed conversion ratios will not be as profitable, as they are so slow to mature, and it may be difficult to find space for them in the chicken run and coop. They will need slightly more protein when they start to molt. The latter species were likely imported in the 1840s from the Chinese port of Shanghai and were referred to largely as Shanghai birds. This brings us to our next section. 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. 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 the summer months care should be taken to provide them with shade and water as they do not tolerate the heat well. Interestingly, Brahma hens tend to be favored by roosters when they are part of a larger, mixed flock. this pursuit. And the "s" is silent. The Brahma chicken is distinguished by a pea comb, feathered legs and feet, and a yellow skin. I love chicken as my favorite PET. If you have heavy, clay soil, a Brahma chicken might not be for you. However, it fell off the radar commercially soon after while remaining a favorite amongst backyard flocks. It will take a year and a half for a Brahma chicken to mature. However, they will not protect the flock from a dog, fox, or hawk. Light Brahma roosters have a prominent black collar of feathers below the black and white neck feathers. Therefore, Brahmas require a highly nutritious diet to avoid disease, stunted growth, or poor egg laying ability. Brahma fowls are large birds that require a sizeable cage or enclosure than the average chicken. They were first imported to the US in the 1840s and developed over the next few years. These birds are quiet and docile and get along with other breeds of chickens, too. 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg) 33. Heres an in-depth look at these fowls to help you make an informed decision before adding some to your flock. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Brahma chickens, even roosters, tend to be very quiet, making them a good choice for an urban or suburban setting. Brahmas are elegant chickens that move with grace and purpose. This is particularly important during hot summers because of their dense feathering and the accompanying risk of overheating or dehydrating faster than other birds. When other birds are not laying during the cold temperatures, you can rely on your Brahma hen to continue with egg production. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. For shows and exhibitions, three types of Buff Brahma can only participate (2). Whether you have kept chickens for years, or are just starting out on your chicken journey. He is so cute and takes care of my girls. Their feathering extends down the legs and covers the two outer toes with feathers. Their history is fraught with controversy, and as with many heritage breeds, the exact genetic makeup of this bird is unknown. chickensandyou.com is reader-supported. They will reward you with 3-4 medium brown eggs each week. Brahmas are hardy and least susceptible to cold climates and frostbite because of their large mass, dense-feathering, and small pea comb. getting into the box. As you can see their lineage can be classified as muddled at best! These heavily feathered giants get their size and plumage from their Malay and Chinese bloodlines. For the most part Brahmas are not known for broodiness. Since the Brahma chicken breed is slow-growing, it is crucial to provide quality feed to Brahma chicks to ensure their growth. We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop. As for roosting space give them around 8-10 inches each. These roosters are incredibly friendly, making them an excellent choice if you want a more docile flock. Brahmas have feathered legs and feet. Size And Weight Of A Brahma chicken. Google it. This breed is also not among prolific egg layers. The females have a more uniform black partridge pattern with white piping throughout their bodies. Thanks. Keep reading to discover more about this wonderful breed. Great timing since other breeds will be just starting to lay. There is nothing better than collecting your own eggs from free ranging chickens! Brahma hens are good egg layers for their size and they can lay between 3 to 4 eggs per week, or 150 to 180 eggs per year. The origin of the Brahma dates as far back as the mid-1800s. They're well known for being broody in the early summer and for remaining relatively unconcerned about the condition of their eggs throughout the rest of the year. Overall they are robust and healthy birds. Brahma fowl species are an excellent choice for chicken enthusiasts looking more for personality than eggs in their flock. Also known as the King of All Fowls or the yards gentle giant by most hobbyists, the Brahma chicken is a pretty breed of poultry that you can rear for meat and eggs. Originally, there were dozens of different names and strains of this bird, leading to the formation of the Brahmapootra breed in 1852. Its best to provide this space in advance so you dont have to move your chicks. As a meat bird, the Brahma is beyond comparison. The Dark Brahma variety was developed during the same time as the Light Brahma. This placid bird gets along with everyone and can become attached to their owners. It also stands tall, up to 30 inches, a size that can be intimidating at first. This was not a poultry disease, but rather a craze among chicken breeders who just had to have a Brahma at the time! 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. Brahmas are not so common because they are slow growers. Although Braham chicken varieties are affordable, they may need extensive habitats due to their sizes and more food budget because they take too long to mature. The hens have a more uniform, feather structure, still quite triangular but wider than a Brahma rooster. In a mixed flock, smaller breeds can bully Brahma chickens. Other than Brahmas, some chicken breeds with feathered feet are Booted Bantams, Cochins, Faverolles, and Silkies. Australian Poultry Association recognizes partridge, blue, black, crele, and Just make sure you keep them well fed and you will have a happy chicken. Please seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Whether you wish to add one of the largest chicken breeds to your flock or you want to become a Brahma breeder, heres a look at the defining characteristics that make up the Brahma breed standard. Formally known as the Shanghai Chicken, the Cochin breed was created in China and imported to the US in the 1800s. This chicken strain was a table bird in the U.S. from the 1850s until the 1930s when industrial birds became popular. They also make incredible mothers, and Brahma hens have been known to go broody frequently. Some Silkies that are pure can hatch with four toes. Although they fell from industry favor they remained popular with small flock keepers as they are a dual purpose hen. 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. Write us at info(at)knowyourchickens.com with any questions or concerns!