Brahma chickens are very friendly and can be trained to enjoy the company of humans. What you do have to look out for is more boisterous or bossy hens picking on the Brahmas. The females have a more uniform black partridge pattern with white piping throughout their bodies. feathered legs and feet, and fifth toe. Apart from that, it would help if you gave each of your chickens 8-12 inches roosting space with lower bars to prevent them from hurting themselves when attempting to fly. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Brahmas may not be the best choice for the commercial market because of their slow growth rates, large size, and need for consistent care. (3). They can start laying eggs from October to May. Learn more. Brahma hens can weigh up to 10lbs while roosters weigh between 10lbs and 12lbs. 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg) Some Silkies that are pure can hatch with four toes. Jersey Giant roosters are around 13lbs compared to the Brahma rooster of 12lbs. Cochin Chicken. The eggs of Brahma chicken weight approximately 55-60 grams. Size And Weight Of A Brahma chicken. Careful introductions to new chickens and a spacious coop will ensure that you create a peaceful environment for all chooks. Because of their incredibly friendly temperament and ability to tolerate confinement. In the 1850s, a poultryman from America named George Burnham sent Queen Victoria nine of his best Brahma chickens, contributing to what was known as hen fever. Since then, the Brahma breed was developed for both livestock and ornamental purposes (1). 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 birds will also need protection from predatory pets like dogs and aggressive cats because they are heavy and not so good at escaping when facing danger. Write us at info(at)knowyourchickens.com with any questions or concerns! Its appealing outlook and demeanor places it among the best backyard chicken pets for any family. Great timing since other breeds will be just starting to lay. 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. So, they cant scale low fences, and they wont fly away if theres no fence. Formally known as the Shanghai Chicken, the Cochin breed was created in China and imported to the US in the 1800s. A Brahma hen is particularly broody in the summer, attentively sitting on its eggs most of the time. Therefore, Brahmas require a highly nutritious diet to avoid disease, stunted growth, or poor egg laying ability. Because they are such a good winter layer, they could be a prolific addition to the backyard flock! As you can see their lineage can be classified as muddled at best! The Brahma is a big bird! Brahmas arent sickly birds, but what makes them most vulnerable are wet and muddy environments. I have one beautiful rooster of Brahma. Today, this breed, which is officially recognized by the American Poultry Association, is considered a heritage breed. Anyone have insight on this? 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. Although the Brahma chicken is an excellent dual-purpose breed, they are slow-growing and slow-maturing chickens. They also need to be housed on dry, well-draining soil in order to avoid the development of disease. Brahmas have feathered legs and feet. Unfortunately, your chicken can exhibit anti-social behaviors like pecking and picking if you put them in less space. Since the mothers are so large it is wise to keep an eye on the hatchlings so they do not get trampled by Mom. What animals have four toes? They dont need to scratch or free range as often as other breeds, being very laid back. Males appear taller than females and weigh about 12 pounds (5.5kgs). The breeding contributed to Brahmas distinctive large head and pea comb. Brahma chickens identify with three official color classifications; dark, light, and Buff. When they get hungry they have a tendency to bully other flock members so it is better to keep them fed and happy. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. In the early 1850s after successfully breeding Brahmas, George Burnham, a poultry enthusiast, had a few gray shanghaes delivered to Her Majesty Queen Victoria of England. As an added bonus, their egg production rarely slows during the winter months, making them a good choice if you want to maintain a steady supply of eggs when the temperature drops. The Brahma chicken is a unique bird with a fascinating history. But "The King of All Poultry" breed also in bantam size, weighing only about 2 pounds. The ideal waterer will keep the water clean and fresh. Typically Brahmas start laying eggs when they're 6 or 7 months old. What makes this breed a spectacular choice is their friendly and placid demeanor. Another nice thing with Brahmas is the fact that they prefer laying over the cooler months. 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. Allow your chicken to free-range and run around regularly. Now she grows food in her backyard and shares what she learns from Eco Peanut with others. The Light Brahma Chicken is contrasting black and white for both roosters and hens. Technically, these silkie chickens are not adhering to the Standard of Perfection and therefore cannot be entered into competitions.) These heavily feathered giants get their size and plumage from their Malay and Chinese bloodlines. Beautiful birds, but it sounds like I may need more room. Brahma chickens make excellent meat and egg birds but you have to wait for it. Sometimes a Brahma will break a quill on their foot or leg, which can bleed quite a lot. We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). You can extend the lifespan of your Brahma chicken by providing it with quality food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. They are very good with kids just watch out for them being knocked over by these humongous birds. 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). She is docile and friendly towards people not quite a lap bird but certainly not averse to begging for treats. This was not a poultry disease, but rather a craze among chicken breeders who just had to have a Brahma at the time! Brahma chickens do well in both enclosed and free-range spaces. The reason is, these breeds are more prone to bumblefoot than other species because of their heavy sizes. 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. If you have heavy, clay soil, a Brahma chicken might not be for you. The occasions when they do make noises are the daily egg song and predator alarm calls (which will hopefully be infrequent). As a meat bird, the Brahma is beyond comparison. Again, each Brahma chicken will have a slightly different personality depending on its individual demeanor. However, any other Brahma color variety might cost you more. Otherwise, the hatching procedures and advice for raising these birds is the same as with other breeds. How much room does a Brahma chicken need? Do not go below this as less space leads to anti-social behaviors such as pecking and feather picking. 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 Both the light and dark colors were accepted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. They are soft, gentle, and dont fight back when attacked. You should keep them in a cool shaded area if you stay in a warmer place. They will need slightly more protein when they start to molt. Other than Brahmas, some chicken breeds with feathered feet are Booted Bantams, Cochins, Faverolles, and Silkies. Average Weight (Pounds and KG) Fully Grown Brahma Roosters. Because of the difference in weight between the light and dark colors, Light Brahmas are considered more to be meat birds compared to the Dark Brahmas, who boast better laying abilities. 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. Owing to the weight of these large chickens, they can easily suffer from bumblefoot. This brooder box should be at least eighteen inches higher is better. First pic is of the father. Is that not considered a silkie? Are Brahmas the right birds for you? However, it would be best to keep these species in hot climates because they dont handle heat well like other breeds. If you are looking for a beautiful large breed chicken that will also consistently lay eggs, the Brahma chicken could be for you. Also, apply cornstarch or styptic powder to treat your bleeding chickens feet after the feet feathers pull off, snag or get stuck on surfaces. The named Brahma refers to the Hindu God of Creation, but its unclear why this breed received such an important name. Another common problem with feathered leg birds is the accumulation of either mud or poop on the toes. Ideally, you should only butcher Brahmas when they reach their market weight of at least 8lbs. However, Brahmas are still ideal egg layers and meat producers on a small scale. The Brahma prefers to lay in cooler weather so when the other girls are winding down for the year, the Brahma will be laying from October through March. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Whilst their head and brow gives them a fearsome look, nothing could be further from the truth. But between free-ranging and medicated feed, what do chicks eat? Males are straw-colored with reddish brown and black markings. 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. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. The origin of the Brahma dates as far back as the mid-1800s and was believed to include a combination of the Chinese Shanghai breed, which is the cross of the Cochin and robust Malay, and the Chittagong, native to India. There is nothing better than collecting your own eggs from free ranging chickens! These birds are so large that they often accidentally trample their own eggs or baby chicks once they hatch. Here are some general commonly shared traits. Keep the Brahmas surroundings dry, particularly in the winter, when frostbite can be a serious concern. Interestingly enough, Dark Brahma chickens were cross bred with Black Langshans to produce the Jersey Giant. For shows and exhibitions, three types of Buff Brahma can only participate (2). Or you can look at the vent at 1 day and see a protruding organ which are boys.Or wait 6 months and the one that crows is the rooster. Some additional space considerations are perches and nesting boxes. Referred to often as the King of All Poultry, this chicken breed would make a fantastic addition to your backyard flock. This breed is also not among prolific egg layers. Because these heavy-set birds cannot fly, theyd do well in a chicken coop that is spacious, private, and offers ample shelter against both hot and wet conditions. Why? Docile, peaceful, gentle, friendly, and calm. 4. five to six square feet. If you are ready to raise a gorgeous chicken that can provide you with both meat and eggs, the Brahma chicken is the bird you should include in your backyard flock. It takes 7 months on average for Brahma pullets to begin laying eggs. These chickens are also great with children, and most birds wont mind a kind and gentle cuddle every now and then. It would also be best to provide up to 14 hours of light to Brahma hens to allow them to lay eggs. Please seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. As Brahmas cannot fly too high because of their size and weight, a 3 foot fence should effectively keep them confined to their pen. Probably the best way to get these balls off the feet is soaking in warm water. A single Brahma hen or rooster should have at least 5 to 6 square feet of space per bird inside the chicken coop. Being a bird breed common to the Northern Hemisphere, keeping Brahma chickens in a spacious indoor chicken coop is ideal for preventing freezing feathers. In bantam size you can find these chickens in dark, light, buff, black and white. For instance the Brahma chicken (pictured below) needs five to six square feet (0.4 to 0.5m) of space in the coop and 12 to 14 feet (1.1 to 1.3m) in the pen. Your chicks will need at least one-half square foot of space for the first two weeks, but after the first two weeks, they will grow rapidly and will need one square foot per bird. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). They stand upright and seem to form a V when they are standing. You can build fencing around their enclosure, but it should be high to prevent predators from entering. Some additional space considerations are perches and nesting boxes. However, if you must keep the Brahmas together with other pets, it would help if you trained and prepared the other pets beforehand. It needs a lot of space to move in, and being tall, they also need more ceiling and door height for their enclosures. Just like many birds of the Victorian hen craze era (mid-1800s) the Brahma has somewhat uncertain lineage. If predators are a concern, a Brahma rooster wont do much to help you. Light Brahma hens dont have as much black feathering apart from the tail. Although their large sizes can be overwhelming for new parents and children at first, it is easy to grow to love these birds. The hens will lay the usual brownish colored eggs, though are not known to be overly productive when compared to other breeds.
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