Although they fell from industry favor they remained popular with small flock keepers as they are a dual purpose hen. A single Brahma hen or rooster should have at least 5 to 6 square feet of space per bird inside the chicken coop. Its better to keep your flock full and happy because they can get aggressive and bully each other when hungry. From April to June, they are likely to sit as a broody hen on their nests. There is so much love and joy underneath all those feathers. Beginning in the 1850s until about 1930, the Brahma chicken was the primary breed for meat production in the United States. The reason is, these breeds are more prone to bumblefoot than other species because of their heavy sizes. Ideally, you should only butcher Brahmas when they reach their market weight of at least 8lbs. Related: 18 Friendliest Chicken Breeds For Your Backyard. Founder of Chickens & You. Brahmas are considered a superior winter layer, so when your other chickens are having some downtime during the colder months your Brahma chicken will continue to produce eggs. However, the breeds slow maturity rate made it lose its popularity in favor of other quickly-maturing chicken breeds. While a generally healthy bird, lets look at some of the most common conditions that affect Brahmas. There is a lot of information available. When my Brahma hen laid her first egg, I was surprised at the smaller size compared to my other layers. Brahma chickens, there are a few factors to consider that may dissuade you from In fact because of their size they are usually pretty high in the pecking order and smaller breeds tend not to bother them. 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. They also have a pea comb with a short but powerful beak. Their plumage is smooth and consists of dense down all over the body. Only after many years was the Brahma placed into recovery status through the livestock conservancy and recognized as a meat and egg laying chicken. She is docile and friendly towards people not quite a lap bird but certainly not averse to begging for treats. No, there are actually some breeds of chicken that have 5 toes. Now we know a little bit about them and where they came from, lets move to their physical features. The hens lay their first egg at 6-7 months, unlike other breeds that start at 4-5 months. Brahmas arent sickly birds, but what makes them most vulnerable are wet and muddy environments. They have whats known as a beetle brow, meaning their forehead extends slightly over their eyes. These chickens grow slowly, which is why they are often overlooked as a potential backyard chicken species. A rooster has pure black feathers on its tail, underside, legs, and feet. The occasions when they do make noises are the daily egg song and predator alarm calls (which will hopefully be infrequent). and other members of the flock, Thrive in confinement with minimal The origin of the Brahma dates as far back as the mid-1800s. Brahmas are elegant chickens that move with grace and purpose. If you decide to raise a Brahma chicken, know that it can be raised for multiple purposes. A single chicken is a "Marans" and two chickens are "Marans.". Egg Production Though Brahma chickens were primarily bred for meat, they do have fair egg production. They are also prolific layers, giving you between 150 and 300 eggs per year or four to six eggs each week. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Hens lay medium to large sized eggs that can weigh up to 60 grams each. 3. Due to their enormous size roosters of 18lb were not unknown. Most backyard chicken keepers will place their Brahmas in a sheltered area during harsh weather conditions. Perfect for anyone wanting to take a natural approach to backyard chicken keeping! Even if they take confinement quite well, light Brahma and even other heritage breeds shouldnt live in a small chicken coop. This is largely due to the breeds massive size and complacency in being housed in confinement. The original Brahma chicken colors included the Dark and Light Brahma up until the 1950s. What is your 4th toe called? 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. I absolutely love all of my chickens now and I dont think Ill ever be able to live without them now. If you are patient enough, the yield will be well worth it. Here are some general commonly shared traits. These chickens are quite large, but there is a misconception that they are enormous compared to other birds in a flock. Lets look at the reasons why you should make the beautiful Brahma a part of your flock. One of the main issues with these birds would be that their feathered legs and feet are especially at risk of clumping when they get wet or muddy. The black and whites colors are considered rare. Paragraph For Amazon Resources for Raising Meat Chickens. 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. Trying to ration feed a Brahma can be difficult so we recommend the free feed choice. Despite their size they are a very gentle chicken that is well suited for beginners or families. However, it would be best to understand whether these chickens are the right fit for your home. Owners should understand that these fowls are great foragers and are happier chasing bugs and worms in the yard. Brahma can start laying eggs between 6 to 7 months of age. The dirt and moisture can freeze and develop small mud balls on the chickens feet, causing frostbite and affecting its health if you dont curb them in time. Average Weight (Pounds and KG) Fully Grown Brahma Roosters. These birds dont hold up well to heavy mud, because their feathers are so dense. Being a cost-saving option is a bonus if you have land space for it. 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. You can kill a Brahma broiler at about eight to ten weeks of age, although they are most profitable at eight months. This chicken species is renowned for their heavy, deep, tight plumage and a thick coat that makes them hardy poultry. They also get along with kids, making them one of the ideal breeds to make as pets. Brahma chickens have more dense and profuse feathers, unlike their cousin, the Cochin. Brahma chickens are very friendly and can be trained to enjoy the company of humans. According to the American Poultry Association, the accepted breed varieties include the Buff, Dark, and Light Buff Brahma in the feathered leg category. Brahmas are a hardy breed of chicken, tolerant to the cold thanks to their profuse feathering. 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. Asking more so I can figure out when I should be bringing younger hens in to keep egg production up. It also has medium-sized wattles, reddish-brown eyes, short tails, yellow shanks and feet, red earlobes, and short, strong, and yellow beaks. In a mixed flock, smaller breeds can bully Brahma chickens. If you are looking for a beautiful large breed chicken that will also consistently lay eggs, the Brahma chicken could be for you. The Brahmas have tight, soft, and dense feathers that extend to their legs and hind toes, making them appear even larger than they are. They will lay right through the winter and slow down as spring starts to arrive. Keep reading to discover more about this wonderful breed. A 2-foot fence or 5-6 square foot space for each chicken in the coop is enough to keep them in place. They are not known for fighting or fussing with other birds. If you are considering having Brahmas among your flock, it would be best to prepare for a mental check of items that might be different from the traditional chicken breeds. 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. Yes, this breed is cold hardy and will usually lay eggs in the winter. First pic is of the father. They are better in cooler climates and thrive in the northern states where the weather can be brutally cold. You should also allow your chickens to free range, because Brahmas love to forage or relax under shady trees and shrubs in summer. What animals have four toes? Brahma chicks also consume more food than smaller breeds of chicken. Both the light and dark colors were accepted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. Hens also have feathered feet but are less profuse. Since the Brahma is initially for shows, they take confinement well. These giants are great backyard chickens because they are relatively easy to care for and are friendly. They are soft, gentle, and dont fight back when attacked. As you can see their lineage can be classified as muddled at best! 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. Also, apply cornstarch or styptic powder to treat your bleeding chickens feet after the feet feathers pull off, snag or get stuck on surfaces. It takes 21 days for the chicks to hatch, after which the Brahma hen provides the hatchlings heat until they are old enough to regulate their body temperatures. Interestingly enough, Dark Brahma chickens were cross bred with Black Langshans to produce the Jersey Giant. Brahmas have feathered legs and feet. How do i now what is a hen and what is rooster. For the most part Brahmas are not known for broodiness. 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. Some larger breeds will require even more space. Males appear taller than females and weigh about 12 pounds (5.5kgs). You can also purchase a light, dark, or buff Brahma from a specialty breeder. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). They dont tend to wander far but are relatively good foragers. Brahma chicken species have a stocky build and require plenty of calories, water, and lots of feeds to sustain their large appetites and health. Cocks are larger in size than the hens. For their neck, chest, and back, the features are mostly silver with black centers. They are very sweet and docile which makes them the perfect breed for beginners or kids. As these big birds struggle to fly perches should be fairly low for them to access (12-18 inches tall). This breed is also not among prolific egg layers. Today's bird is a bit smaller than its ancestors and a rooster will weigh in around 10lb with the hens at 8lb. This is a breed that thrives when roaming so try to let them free range they will enjoy the freedom and variety. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Ensure that the chicken coop gets about eight hours of natural light, especially during winter. Unlike Plymouth Rock, this chicken breed with feathered legs is not aggressive towards humans and other chickens. Free-range chickens, regardless of the breed, are known for having tastier meat due to the exercise they get wandering around and the fresh organic feed they get from foraging. The Giant, the King, the Brahma. free-ranging. The plumage consists of feathers that should be tightly held together making them dense but fluffy. 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. A 16% layers feed will be ideal for most of the year. When they get hungry they have a tendency to bully other flock members so it is better to keep them fed and happy. And this breed usually lays its eggs from October to May, just when other breeds are shutting down for winter. What youll get will depend on the color variety of your bird. 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. Otherwise, the hatching procedures and advice for raising these birds is the same as with other breeds. Light Brahma hens dont have as much black feathering apart from the tail. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. Are Brahmas the right birds for you? Keep an eye on the baby chicks when they first hatch. 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. 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. The rooster has some feathers on his feet but the hens have none whatsoever. (Guide), Greater Scaup: Identification and Behaviors, Hooded Merganser: Identification and Behaviors, Dabbling Duck Species: Everything You Need to Know, 22 Types of Ducks: Behaviors and Appearances, Light, buff, or dark feathers with a pea comb and feathered feet, 4 to 6 eggs per week, 150 to 300 per year, Interact peacefully with humans The Brahma is a large bird although most of their bulk is feathers. Google it. They will tolerate confinement as long as they have enough room in the pen. You can extend the lifespan of your Brahma chicken by providing it with quality food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. If youre looking for a solid egg-layer or a chicken for meat production (with a friendly temperament), this may be the perfect breed for your backyard. You can then reduce the temperatures every week by five degrees Fahrenheit until the chicks are old enough to be independent. Brahmas are not so common because they are slow growers. The chicks require a brooder box with fresh water, bedding, and chick feed. 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. 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. Brahma chickens, even roosters, tend to be very quiet, making them a good choice for an urban or suburban setting. Commonly known as the king of chickens, the majestic Brahma is a big bird, standing at an impressive 30 inches tall. The Brahma hen is well known to go broody in early summer, with the rest of the year seeing them quite relaxed about the state of their eggs. It is also one of the simplest ways to keep a healthy and happy chicken! These chickens are also great with children, and most birds wont mind a kind and gentle cuddle every now and then. I like to spend my time writing and teaching skills for homesteading and self sufficient living. Brahmas are one of the most laid back breeds there is. These birds have feathers on their toes and shanks as well as gorgeous pea combs. When other birds are not laying during the cold temperatures, you can rely on your Brahma hen to continue with egg production. They can live in confinement with other types of chickens, however, having very docile, calm personalities. I have one beautiful rooster of Brahma. 5. Yet, they are one of the largest chicken breeds. George Burnham, an American breeder, exported the Gray Shanghaes to England in 1852 as a gift to Queen Victoria before the English breeders began developing the first dark Brahma strain. The eggs of Brahma chicken weight approximately 55-60 grams. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Some additional space considerations are perches and nesting boxes. As they have feathered feet, scaly leg mite can be a problem too so keep a close eye on those legs and feet.