This exquisite bird has an upright posture, with large impressive stature, and long feathered legs that appear like a narrow V if you view it from the sides. The dark Brahma has the most notable difference between cock and hen: the hen has a dark gray and black penciled coloration with the same hackle as the light, whereas the cock has black and white hackles and saddle feathers, and a black base and tail; the wings are white-shouldered, and the primary feathers are edged with white. They are not skittish, and dont mind being handled by the chicken keeper. The hens lay their first egg at 67 months, unlike other breeds that start at 45 months. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. Brahmas are very placid chickens and are similar in size to the Jersey Giant chicken. Their plumage is smooth and consists of dense down all over the body. Brahma chickens have become a firm favorite among poultry fanciers over the last 50 years. Dark, Buff, light, white, gold, blue partridge, 30 inches tall with males weighing 12 pounds, females weighing 10 pounds, 16% proteins and layer feeds for layers, 18% proteins and chick feeds for hatchlings, supplements like calcium, omega 3, insects, worms, and crickets. However, it can take up to 12 months for the hen to start laying, particularly if she's a larger hen, or if she matures during the winter months. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! 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. Get More Info When my Brahma hen laid her first egg, I was surprised at the smaller size compared to my other layers. These birds dont hold up well to heavy mud, because their feathers are so dense. They make a wonderful additions to any flock and even help to defend the flock against smaller predators. Although they fell from industry favor they remained popular with small flock keepers as they are a dual purpose hen. . If you are able to raise your Brahma chickens on green grass, you shouldnt have a problem, but keep the health needs of this chicken in mind before you take the leap in purchasing one. Use the search! Brahma hens typically have a small pea comb, while roosters have a large pea comb set on a wide head. Its vital to consider your budget before purchasing the Brahma chicken breeds, especially the cost of feeding and shelter needs. We publish weekly guides and articles written by experienced chicken enthusiasts! Read our Breed guide below to find out if the Brahma chicken is for you. The eggs of Brahma chicken weight approximately 55-60 grams. On average, a Brahma chicken will lay about 150 to 200 eggs per year. Ideally, you should only butcher Brahmas when they reach their market weight of at least 8lbs. There is little you need to know about raising Brahmas as chicks they require the same conditions as other young chickens. It also stands tall, up to 30 inches, a size that can be intimidating at first. Perfect for anyone wanting to take a natural approach to backyard chicken keeping! These extra few inches create a bit of maneuvering room. Although Brahmas can withstand harsh winter, their feathers can be problematic in this season. Brahmas are hardy and least susceptible to cold climates and frostbite because of their large mass, dense-feathering, and small pea comb. The roosters of this variety will have black stripes on their saddle feathers. They also have broad brows with heavy eyebrows. You can build fencing around their enclosure, but it should be high to prevent predators from entering. You can check the feathers for any sign of leg mite and immediately consult a veterinarian for treatment. Although males tend to be taller than females, both genders have strong feet and even stronger posture. Brahma chickens do well in both enclosed and free-range spaces. You should also position the nest boxes low to the ground or add a sturdy chicken ladder to the nesting and roosting area. The first thing to do when rearing these species is to accord them plenty of protection from predators. As an Amazon Associate when you buy through links on our site, we earn from qualifying purchases. Great timing since other breeds will be just starting to lay. They can be difficult to sex. Keep an eye on the baby chicks when they first hatch. 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. Most chickens dont usually lay during the shorter days of the year unless you provide supplementary light. Remember, these birds get to be heavier than average chickens, so the box should be well built to support their weight. Brahma hens lay an average of 34 eggs of medium to large per week and about 150 eggs annually. Another common problem with feathered leg birds is the accumulation of either mud or poop on the toes. They will eat a lot more than medium to large chickens will, and should be provided a high protein and calcium diet to support healthy bone and muscle development. If predators are a concern, a Brahma rooster wont do much to help you. They give a little bit of everything you would need and want from a chicken. Fact #1: Silkie chickens have extra toes (Though the breed standard is 5 toes, some have an additional toe for a total of 6. Light Brahma hens dont have as much black feathering apart from the tail. Brahma chicken heads are small for their size, having a pea comb, which is more prominent in cocks, and small red wattles. 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! Brahmas can even be as heavy as 12lbs for cocks and around 10lbs for hens. They will lay right through the winter and slow down as spring starts to arrive. Brahma chickens were developed for northern climates and are arguably the least susceptible breed to cold and exposure. Some have said that the Brahmas name came from the Brahmaputra River in India; however, the breed was refined on US shores with strong Asian influences. You can kill a Brahma broiler at about eight to ten weeks of age, although they are most profitable at eight months. They dont need to scratch or free range as often as other breeds, being very laid back. Their feathering extends down the legs and covers the two outer toes with feathers. Each of these three colors is officially recognized and include Light, Buff, and Dark. Some additional space considerations are perches and nesting boxes. 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. Most breeders suggest that this is due to its pea comb as well as its tight feathering and extensive down. It would be best to pair it with another Brahma chicken to prevent it from loneliness and excessive harassment. Brahma Chicken Variants. I love chicken as my favorite PET. While the frequency and size of eggs will vary according to the diet and age of each bird, one things for sure, if you have a happy chicken, you could certainly enjoy more eggs! The reason is, these breeds are more prone to bumblefoot than other species because of their heavy sizes. Generally speaking, Brahma chickens start laying their first egg at around 7 months of age. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). You can also purchase bantam Brahma breeds that are about six inches tall. 10-12 lbs (4.5-5.4 kg) Fully Grown Brahma Hens. My Brahmas will pace at the chicken coop door every afternoon to be let out for their midday rendezvous! It should not leak and should be easy to clean and refill. Buying the best you can afford Read More , Automatic chicken feeders sound wonderful. But while they may seem like the perfect all-around breed, dont start adding them to your backyard just yet. 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. 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg) Growing Cockerels. The ideal waterer will keep the water clean and fresh. Outside of the chicken coop, Brahma chickens can benefit from 15 to 16 square feet of space each. While they arent largely accepted in the United States, the A full-grown and mature Brahma Chicken size can reach up to 30 inches tall. They give a little bit of everything you would need and want from a chicken. Brahmas will tolerate confinement since they are less active than Mediterranean breeds, but they absolutely shine when allowed to free range. As for roosting space give them around 8-10 inches each. The boys will develop a larger comb and wattles and have a more curious nature. Plus, they have feathers on their feet for more warmth. Bantams can be a bit difficult to find but there are sources out there! Unfortunately, your chicken can exhibit anti-social behaviors like pecking and picking if you put them in less space. If they stop laying eggs when it gets cold, that could be a sign that their living situations arent ideal or that theyre unhealthy. Along with the size of the nest box, you should provide Brahma hens a secure chicken coop that is well-ventilated. For the most part Brahmas are not known for broodiness. The Brahma chicken is an Asiatic poultry breed named after the Brahmaputra River in India. Brahmas are very calm and docile with a natural affection for their caretakers. These are not only unsanitary, but they can be dangerous. A full-grown and mature Brahma Chicken size can reach up to 30 inches tall. Most backyard chicken keepers will place their Brahmas in a sheltered area during harsh weather conditions. The definitive signs are the growth of hackle and sickle feathers, but often it will be 5 months or more before you can be sure. To keep your hen happy, the nesting box should provide the following features: Brahma chickens are considered consistent egg layers compared to other chickens of a similar size. They also need to be housed on dry, well-draining soil in order to avoid the development of disease. Whilst their head and brow gives them a fearsome look, nothing could be further from the truth. The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl. The light and dark Brahma was admitted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. Owing to the weight of these large chickens, they can easily suffer from bumblefoot. Cover the box with a screen to eliminate the likelihood of drafts (and other pets!) Aside from their tall stature, there are more things you should know about brahmas. There are even reports of the successful butchering of Brahma roasters at twelve or thirteen months of age without loss of flavor. KnowYourChickens.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Paragraph For Amazon Resources for Raising Meat Chickens. Brahmas may not be the best choice for the commercial market because of their slow growth rates, large size, and need for consistent care. Buff Brahma is similar in pattern to that of the light Brahma chickens, but it has a golden brown hue. They thrive in cold weather and simply need proper living conditions in order to continue laying during the winter months. They can start laying eggs from October to May. The Light Brahma was established in the early 1870s; however, its overall size and appearance have undergone several changes since then. Brahma fowls are large birds that require a sizeable cage or enclosure than the average chicken. They will reward you with 3-4 medium brown eggs each week. Retrieved from: https://www.americanbrahmaclub.com/, Poultry Breeds Brahma Chicken. It is also one of the simplest ways to keep a healthy and happy chicken! Its feather pattern is similar to the Plymouth Rock and Silver Laced Wyandotte or Golden Laced Wyandotte. While there are countless benefits of raising Lets take a closer look at the origins of these big birds and how to identify Brahma chickens according to their breed standard. They are also prolific layers, giving you between 150 and 300 eggs per year or four to six eggs each week. Some larger breeds will require even more space. They also get along with kids, making them one of the ideal breeds to make as pets. Its best to check your flock regularly and clean them with warm water to get rid of the build-up or caked poop because of the feathery feet. For shows and exhibitions, three types of Buff Brahma can only participate (2). In recent years the upsurge in backyard chicken keeping has seen the popularity of this old favorite rise again. Although the Brahma chicken is an excellent dual-purpose breed, they are slow-growing and slow-maturing chickens. Dark Brahma hens are easily identified by their white laced feather pattern across a darker gray body, breast, and wings. This, of course, depends on the quality of care that you provide. 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. These Shanghai birds were probably bred with Grey Chittagong birds of Malay origins, which gave the Brahma distinctive pea comb and head shapes. Cocks are larger in size than the hens. FLYGRUBS Black Soldier Fly Larvae Chicken Feed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From April to June, they are likely to sit as a broody hen on their nests. It depends on the age. They are soft, gentle, and dont fight back when attacked. Females are a creamy white and . 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. Here is a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about this illustrious bird. They are a heavy bird which means they do not fly well (if at all). The Dark Brahma will also have white-shouldered wings and primary feathers that are edged with white. Other relevant egg-laying details about the Brahma include: Although the weather is colder, Brahmas are one of the best winter-layers, next to their cousins, the Wyandottes and Chantecler. Im fairly new to the chicken kingdom, just started about 2 years ago so Im still learning. Brahma hens lay an average of 3-4 eggs of medium to large per week and about 150 eggs annually. Being a bird breed common to the Northern Hemisphere, keeping Brahma chickens in a spacious indoor chicken coop is ideal for preventing freezing feathers. As these big birds struggle to fly perches should be fairly low for them to access (12-18 inches tall). Keep reading to discover more about this wonderful breed. 5. Only after many years was the Brahma placed into recovery status through the livestock conservancy and recognized as a meat and egg laying chicken. Brahma cockerels are hushed crowers while hens do not loudly cackle while they lay. Brahma chickens make excellent meat and egg birds but you have to wait for it. The Livestock Conservancy noted that the Light Brahma is a pound heavier than the Dark Brahma. Usually, this chicken breed will be more variable in size, ranging from 8 to about 18 inches in height. Nov 3, 2011. To get more meat from these meat birds, you need to wait because young (about 5 to 6 months) Brahma chickens do not have much meat. Most Brahma chickens live 5 to 8 years, however, its not uncommon for them to reach 10 or even 12 years with proper care. Featured Image By: Leoniek van der Vliet, Shutterstock, 5 Best Sources of Iron for Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily), How to Hold a Guinea Pig Correctly (with Pictures & Videos), 6 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures), 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures). Their welcoming temperament and the fact that they are big and cant fly makes them easy to contain. In America, we pronounce the "ran" as in "I ran away." (The French have a more elegant pronunciation, as with most words). Heres an overview of this chicken breeds qualities to help you decide if theyre a good fit for you. They are very good with kids just watch out for them being knocked over by these humongous birds. 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. All you need to do is feed them lots of treats, and theyll crawl right into your hand for a cuddle or a snack. You can eat chickens without any problem. This chicken species is renowned for their heavy, deep, tight plumage and a thick coat that makes them hardy poultry. Dark Brahma chicks have darker coloring and stripes down their backs, while Light Brahmas have a lighter, solid coloring. If you are patient enough, the yield will be well worth it. Todays bird is a bit smaller than its ancestors and a rooster will weigh in around 10lb with the hens at 8lb. Small predators are not usually a match for a fully grown Brahma. Raising chickens means providing them the right environment thats designed to accommodate their needs throughout all growth stages. According to the American Poultry Association, the accepted breed varieties include the Buff, Dark, and Light Buff Brahma in the feathered leg category. Brahma hens rarely become broody, but this depends on the individual hen, as it does with all breeds of chickens. However, you may want to put some special considerations when taking care of them because these are large birds and require larger nests, more feeds, and lots of petting. 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. Let us know any of your questions in the comments section below, A chicken coop is one of the most important parts of raising healthy and happy chickens. But, they still could make wonderful flock mates because of their gentle nature. Thanks. The breeding contributed to Brahmas distinctive large head and pea comb. The size of the Brahma chicken cannot be emphasized enough. 20 Best Egg Laying Chickens (Illustrated Guide), When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? They wont start laying eggs until six to seven months of age (compared to four or five for other chicken breeds) and they wont be fully grown for the stew pot until they are older, either. The original Brahma chicken colors included the Dark and Light Brahma up until the 1950s. Be sure to research each breed before considering buying them. Search our database of over 12348 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. These hefty birds are also known to attack snakes and keep them away from more vulnerable birds. The buff Brahma was accepted in 1924. The yolks, in particular, are exceptionally large and great for using in cooking or baking. On average, these birds will reach about 12 pounds for roosters and 10 pounds for hens.