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Her love for nature lead to her degree in Biology and mission to lessen her environmental impact. As a meat bird, the Brahma is beyond comparison. They are winter hardy birds and lay large light brown color eggs. Ideally, you should only butcher Brahmas when they reach their market weight of at least 8lbs. 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. Most backyard chicken keepers will place their Brahmas in a sheltered area during harsh weather conditions. They also need to be housed on dry, well-draining soil in order to avoid the development of disease. On average, these birds will reach about 12 pounds for roosters and 10 pounds for hens. If predators are a concern, a Brahma rooster wont do much to help you. Buying the best you can afford Read More , Automatic chicken feeders sound wonderful. The Brahma is a big bird so they need more space than the average chicken. The likely parent birds were Shanghais and Chittagongs and Malays. The Giant, the King, the Brahma. The origin of Brahma is debatable like with other heritage breeds. You can find them at a number of chicken hatcheries and breeders that deal specifically with this breed, such as Cackle Hatchery, Meyer Hatchery, and more. The Brahma is a massive chicken and is only rivaled by the Jersey Giant. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. Due to their enormous size roosters of 18lb were not unknown. Small predators are not usually a match for a fully grown Brahma. 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. Because these chickens have such a tall stance, that creates a wider and fuller-bodied appearance compared to other breeds. You can kill a Brahma broiler at about eight to ten weeks of age, although they are most profitable at eight months. There are some bantam breeds that have six toes on each foot. 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. Brahmas are stately and elegant in their demeanors. At 1-3 days,girls have uneven pipe cleaner looking wing feathers while boys tend to be straight. Some larger breeds will require even more space. 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. Being exceptionally cold tolerant, with a heavy weight and feather distribution, these birds stay warm in cold temperatures. You can extend the lifespan of your Brahma chicken by providing it with quality food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Hens also have feathered feet but are less profuse. With consistent egg production in winter and the ability to adapt to confinement, you should definitely consider this chicken breed for your flock. They also make incredible mothers, and Brahma hens have been known to go broody frequently. Brahma chickens are large birds, so if you are looking for a smaller bird, then this might not be the right breed for you. Being a bird breed common to the Northern Hemisphere, keeping Brahma chickens in a spacious indoor chicken coop is ideal for preventing freezing feathers. Initiate their relationship gradually while monitoring their interaction. This makes it much easier to care for them, especially with those feathered feet. The Brahma is a very imposing bird standing around 30 inches high. This quality adds to making them good company in a populated neighborhood. This low. We do not specifically market to children under 13. The thicker feathers of Brahma chickens make it easier for lice to hide. Keep reading to discover more about this wonderful breed. Although they are slower than other chicken breeds, the long wait is rewarding. According to the American Poultry Association, the accepted breed varieties include the Buff, Dark, and Light Buff Brahma in the feathered leg category. 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg) Growing Cockerels. Yet, they are one of the largest chicken breeds. They are very sweet and docile which makes them the perfect breed for beginners or kids. Keep reading to find out what its like to actually own a Brahma. The Brahma chicken was one of the ultimate table birds until the rise of industrial birds in the 1930s. They will need slightly more protein when they start to molt. However, it would be best to understand whether these chickens are the right fit for your home. On the other hand, adolescents range between $7$12 and adults $15$25 depending on quality. Brahmas can also develop small mud balls between their toes that may cause damage to the foot. It is better if you free range them as this will occupy their time and reduce your feed bill. Brahma hens can weigh up to 10lbs while roosters weigh between 10lbs and 12lbs. Owing to the Queens delight with these gentle giants, the chicken breed became so popular that hen fever spread across the world. This is largely due to the breeds massive size and complacency in being housed in confinement. Keep the Brahmas surroundings dry, particularly in the winter, when frostbite can be a serious concern. Do Brahma Chicken Get Along with Other Pets? If they stop laying eggs when it gets cold, that could be a sign that their living situations arent ideal or that theyre unhealthy. At the time, no other chicken looked anything like the Cochin. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). 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. United States breeders refined Brahma during the height of the hen fever, making the Brahma chicken breed that we know today (2). These birds dont hold up well to heavy mud, because their feathers are so dense. Brahma chickens have become a firm favorite among poultry fanciers over the last 50 years. Most Brahma chickens live 5 to 8 years, however, its not uncommon for them to reach 10 or even 12 years with proper care. Write us at info(at)knowyourchickens.com with any questions or concerns! 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. If you are patient enough, the yield will be well worth it. Yes, this breed is cold hardy and will usually lay eggs in the winter. Learn more. They can live in confinement with other types of chickens, however, having very docile, calm personalities. 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. These extra few inches create a bit of maneuvering room. You can build fencing around their enclosure, but it should be high to prevent predators from entering. Brahma Chicken. Beautiful birds, but it sounds like I may need more room. Do not go below this as less space leads to anti-social behaviors such as pecking and feather picking. Interestingly enough, Dark Brahma chickens were cross bred with Black Langshans to produce the Jersey Giant. Look out for limping, foot preening, or inflammation and swelling under the foot which could indicate bumblefoot. Smaller breeds tend to leave them alone, but young Brahmas may be picked on by older hens. Brahma chickens identify with three official color classifications; dark, light, and Buff. I like to spend my time writing and teaching skills for homesteading and self sufficient living. Brahmas, like all chickens, need high-quality feed and regular veterinary visits to reach their life expectancy. In America, there are three versions of the Brahma recognized: We determine the egg laying abilities of the Brahma chicken and whether this large bird is the best choice for your backyard flock. Brahmas are also easy to contain, as they cant fly well. . Interestingly enough, lighter ear lobes usually mean lighter eggs! You can also purchase bantam Brahma breeds that are about six inches tall. Regular inspections can help you spot parasites early on and treat before it becomes an infestation. They are quiet and communicate in low tones. However, Brahmas are still ideal egg layers and meat producers on a small scale. Whilst they will tolerate confinement they prefer roaming around. The chicks require a brooder box with fresh water, bedding, and chick feed. A Brahma leg injury can take a long time to heal because of its weight, so high perches are best avoided. Landing on a thorn or sharp object when jumping off a roost can cause the debris to penetrate the skin and cause infection. Careful introductions to new chickens and a spacious coop will ensure that you create a peaceful environment for all chooks. Brahmas distinguishing feature is the small pea comb and the overhanging beetle brow on the forehead. It should not leak and should be easy to clean and refill. Back in the 1800s their weight was very impressive. 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. Brahmas are very calm and docile with a natural affection for their caretakers. This big yet gentle chicken breed can give you four brown eggs per week. If you are looking for a cute and cuddly bird to make a part of your home, then the Brahma chicken could be the match for you. Trying to ration feed a Brahma can be difficult so we recommend the free feed choice. Brahmas are a hardy breed of chicken, tolerant to the cold thanks to their profuse feathering. 3. It would be best to pair it with another Brahma chicken to prevent it from loneliness and excessive harassment. The breed is easy to contain, not being able to fly low fences very easily. Thanks. Their incredibly calm dispositions make them a fabulously friendly addition to the flock. While there will be some variation among the individuals of the species, these are some general similarities in appearance of the breed. To give you a sense of how they look, light Brahma chickens have contrasting white and black feathers. Dirt floor pens get muddy very quickly and with feathered feet the Brahmas may develop foot problems. Although their large sizes can be overwhelming for new parents and children at first, it is easy to grow to love these birds.