The Brahma is a very imposing bird standing around 30 inches high. However, the meat of an adult Brahma is not as tender as a young Brahma. A Brahma rooster will stand at 30 inches while a Brahma hen tends to be a few inches shorter. Back in the 1800s their weight was very impressive. Whether you have kept chickens for years, or are just starting out on your chicken journey. 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. Generally speaking, Brahma chickens start laying their first egg at around 7 months of age. If predators are a concern, a Brahma rooster wont do much to help you. 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. The breed standard required by poultry judges includes sharp gray penciling along the hackles, and black penciling across the rest of the body. Ready to purchase a flock of these chickens? You should also allow your chickens to free range, because Brahmas love to forage or relax under shady trees and shrubs in summer. Do you have enough space to accommodate the king of chickens? Their incredibly calm dispositions make them a fabulously friendly addition to the flock. You can easily clean frost and mud balls from their feet with warm water. Brahmas distinguishing feature is the small pea comb and the overhanging beetle brow on the forehead. 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. What you do have to look out for is more boisterous or bossy hens picking on the Brahmas. The occasions when they do make noises are the daily egg song and predator alarm calls (which will hopefully be infrequent). Look out for limping, foot preening, or inflammation and swelling under the foot which could indicate bumblefoot. 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. Light Brahmas are usually white-feathered with a grayish hint. 20 Best Egg Laying Chickens (Illustrated Guide), When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? While a generally healthy bird, lets look at some of the most common conditions that affect Brahmas. Make sure to get a breathable mesh harness for when you want to take them on walks. Lets take a closer look at the origins of these big birds and how to identify Brahma chickens according to their breed standard. 10 Best Chicken Show Breeds (And Why They're a Keeper!) Being a cost-saving option is a bonus if you have land space for it. 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. While there will be some variation among the individuals of the species, these are some general similarities in appearance of the breed. These birds are jumbo-sized, meaning they eat a lot, too. The roosters of this variety will have black stripes on their saddle feathers. Brahmas will tolerate confinement since they are less active than Mediterranean breeds, but they absolutely shine when allowed to free range. Having a proper shelter is crucial too if you want Brahma chickens to live longer. Heritage Chicken Breeds: The Ultimate List of Heritage Chickens How does the black one have black skin but 4 toes? They also have a broad, wide head with a skull that sits out over the eyes. 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. They thrive in cold weather and simply need proper living conditions in order to continue laying during the winter months. The Dark Brahma exhibits the greatest differences between hens and roosters, with a dark gray hen and a black rooster. 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. Parasite infestation is common in hens and roosters too. If your space permits, you should raise them as free-range chickens. Plus, they have feathers on their feet for more warmth. Brahmas can even be as heavy as 12lbs for cocks and around 10lbs for hens. Retrieved from: https://www.americanbrahmaclub.com/, Poultry Breeds Brahma Chicken. Check out some of the special considerations to put in place when keeping Brahma chicken species. Can take 7 months before they start laying. Ensure that the chicken coop gets about eight hours of natural light, especially during winter. five to six square feet. Brahma chickens are one of the largest chicken breeds. This giant chicken has distinct feather patterns compared to other breeds that were incorporated in its history. Small predators are not usually a match for a fully grown Brahma. They can live in confinement with other types of chickens, however, having very docile, calm personalities. Founder of Chickens & You. Brahma chickens are fair egg layers for their large size. Males appear taller than females and weigh about 12 pounds (5.5kgs). Brahmas have feathered legs and feet. In recent years the upsurge in backyard chicken keeping has seen the popularity of this old favorite rise again. 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. You can expect 4-5 medium-sized, brown eggs per chicken every week during the spring, summer, and fall. My Brahmas will pace at the chicken coop door every afternoon to be let out for their midday rendezvous! Although Brahmas are large, they are often victims of bullying from other chickens. 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! Mostly, the light, Buff, and dark chicks cost $3$5 or more if they are show birds. The Brahma is a big bird so they need more space than the average chicken. On average, a Brahma chicken will lay about 150 to 200 eggs per year. 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. They do their thing without making a fuss and look good doing it. free-ranging. 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. The breeding contributed to Brahmas distinctive large head and pea comb. It is also vital to check for lice, fleas, mites, and other parasites that could harbor your chickens thick plumage. 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. Size And Weight Of A Brahma chicken. You can also introduce chicks to an 18% protein chicken starter. Brahma chickens are large birds, so if you are looking for a smaller bird, then this might not be the right breed for you. There are also some birds that have 3 toes, and some with 2! and other members of the flock, Thrive in confinement with minimal Brahma hens typically have a small pea comb, while roosters have a large pea comb set on a wide head. If they stop laying eggs when it gets cold, that could be a sign that their living situations arent ideal or that theyre unhealthy. These chickens grow slowly, which is why they are often overlooked as a potential backyard chicken species. Most Brahma chickens live 5 to 8 years, however, its not uncommon for them to reach 10 or even 12 years with proper care. Keeping them in a small and confined coop can restrict their movement, making them uncomfortable and stressed. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Being a bird breed common to the Northern Hemisphere, keeping Brahma chickens in a spacious indoor chicken coop is ideal for preventing freezing feathers. Your Brahma hens will also need a finely tuned diet with proper portions of protein in order to maintain a reliable egg laying schedule. These birds have feathers on their toes and shanks as well as gorgeous pea combs. When my Brahma hen laid her first egg, I was surprised at the smaller size compared to my other layers. Even the Brahma roosters are peaceful, and not as likely to attack humans or other birds as those from other chicken breeds. But, researchers believe that the Brahma breed was developed in the United States from very large fowls or birds imported from Shanghai. By the next season, she was laying large eggs with incredibly tough shells. 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 Brahma fowls are large birds that require a sizeable cage or enclosure than the average chicken. The females have a more uniform black partridge pattern with white piping throughout their bodies. Owing to the Queens delight with these gentle giants, the chicken breed became so popular that hen fever spread across the world. Raising Brahma hens for meat is one of the more common uses of this gorgeous chicken. It would also be best to provide up to 14 hours of light to Brahma hens to allow them to lay eggs. Some larger breeds will require even more space. A single chicken is a "Marans" and two chickens are "Marans.". It is best to keep newly hatched chicks in an incubator safe from their moms feet and weight. Most chickens dont usually lay during the shorter days of the year unless you provide supplementary light. They are soft, gentle, and dont fight back when attacked. 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. Whilst Brahmas can fit into a 12x12 nesting box they will appreciate a larger 14x14 box. Unfortunately, your chicken can exhibit anti-social behaviors like pecking and picking if you put them in less space. Because these chickens have such a tall stance, that creates a wider and fuller-bodied appearance compared to other breeds. 4. Add: Chickens+You, 211, 1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 1200 Sheridan, WY 82801, USA, Raising young chicks can be incredibly rewarding. Brahma hens lay an average of 34 eggs of medium to large per week and about 150 eggs annually. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. She is one of the largest chicken breeds and has a beautiful plumage which only adds to this special breeds appeal. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. 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). We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop. The buff Brahma was accepted in 1924. 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. What youll get will depend on the color variety of your bird. About 6 weeks ago I purchased 6 buff Brahma hens and a rooster, along with a few others. This makes them ideal for an urban setting as long as they have enough space to roam. Careful introductions to new chickens and a spacious coop will ensure that you create a peaceful environment for all chooks. If you are looking for a chicken that will provide you with both meat and eggs, then the Brahma chicken is a good choice. 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 Chicken: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (with Pictures The chicks require a brooder box with fresh water, bedding, and chick feed. In bantam size you can find these chickens in dark, light, buff, black and white. Brahma Hens with no Feather Feet? - BackYard Chickens Brahmas can also develop small mud balls between their toes that may cause damage to the foot. Hens also have feathered feet but are less profuse. Since Brahmas are heavy, it is vital to ensure that the runs and the coops are wide and tall enough to accommodate their sizes. However, feeding them shouldnt end when free-ranging because they cant forage enough to sustain them. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). They are also trusting, love attention, being handled, and can grow quite attached to their owners. It will take a year and a half for a Brahma chicken to mature. getting into the box. If you show them affection, feed them enough, and give them warm protection, you can live with your chicken for as long as 5-8 years! barred varieties of Brahma. For this reason, ensure that you offer your flocks lots of other feeds. 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. Ensure that you offer an i8 inches high brooder with a half square foot floor space per chick during their first days before increasing to a square foot space per chick after two weeks. She is not flighty or skittish and is very placid. 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. A full-grown and mature Brahma Chicken size can reach up to 30 inches tall. How many toes do dogs have? Whilst their head and brow gives them a fearsome look, nothing could be further from the truth. During this time Brahmas were so popular even Queen Victoria in England kept them. In this ultimate guide for raising a Brahma chicken, well look at three main things: how to care for these large birds, whether they are good layers, and everything you should know before adding this chicken breed to your flock. 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. If you make the perches too high you run the risk of a leg or foot injury when they come down from the roost. Its vital to consider your budget before purchasing the Brahma chicken breeds, especially the cost of feeding and shelter needs. Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. The Brahma chicken could be one of the most impressive additions to the backyard flock. They will lay right through the winter and slow down as spring starts to arrive. Because they have feathers on their toes and shanks, damp or muddy ground can lead to an increased likelihood of infection or frostbite in cold weather. They give a little bit of everything you would need and want from a chicken. 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. Brahma chickens make excellent meat and egg birds but you have to wait for it. A classic American chicken breed, the Brahma chicken is a popular breed among hobbyists and breeders alike, laying a prolific number of brown eggs. . Its feather pattern is similar to the Plymouth Rock and Silver Laced Wyandotte or Golden Laced Wyandotte. 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. Brahmas are also easy to contain, as they cant fly well. Just got my first group of 51 Rooster and 4 egg laying Hens. Brahma chickens have become a firm favorite among poultry fanciers over the last 50 years. Allow your chicken to free-range and run around regularly. Buying the best you can afford Read More , Automatic chicken feeders sound wonderful. But all of them have 4 toes. Considering Marans chickens? The 14 things you must know first The black and whites colors are considered rare. Owners should understand that these fowls are great foragers and are happier chasing bugs and worms in the yard. Since rationing their feeds can be challenging since they are heavy feeders, it would be best to free-feed them to reduce your feeding bill. After all, people originally bred them to thrive in cold climates this is also the reason for their fully feathered legs and feet! The Brahma is a striking bird to look at. Your pen area should ideally be stone or sand. This low. They also need to be housed on dry, well-draining soil in order to avoid the development of disease. Males are straw-colored with reddish brown and black markings. Brahma chickens, like all other chickens, have relatively long life spans. Also, supplement the feeds with insects, mealworms such as Happy Hen Treats, crickets, omega-3, and feeds rich in calcium such as FLYGRUBS Black Soldier Fly Larvae Chicken Feed. 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. While they arent largely accepted in the United States, the Despite their size they are a very gentle chicken that is well suited for beginners or families. A Brahma hen is particularly broody in the summer, attentively sitting on its eggs most of the time. Commonly known as the king of chickens, the majestic Brahma is a big bird, standing at an impressive 30 inches tall. 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. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Back in the 1800s their weight was very impressive. And the "s" is silent. Although they have thick feathering that makes them somewhat sensitive to hot weather, as long as you do not live in the tropics, you can likely raise healthy Brahmas. Despite their powerful wings they are not able to fly much due to their weight. Brahmas are stately and elegant in their demeanors. Because of their size not too much intimidates them. Light Brahma Chicken: Origin, Temperament, and Characteristics 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. It is better if you free range them as this will occupy their time and reduce your feed bill. 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. The Brahma chicken is a multi-purpose chicken breed and a must-have for backyard farmers. Brahmas are a hardy breed of chicken, tolerant to the cold thanks to their profuse feathering. How big do faverolles get? The Poultry Association considers Brahma as a heritage bird because it began before the mid-20th century. In the winter these balls can freeze causing frostbite and in severe cases the loss of toes. Brahmas are not so common because they are slow growers. The Dark Brahma will also have white-shouldered wings and primary feathers that are edged with white. Typically Brahmas start laying eggs when they're 6 or 7 months old. According to the American Poultry Association, the accepted breed varieties include the Buff, Dark, and Light Buff Brahma in the feathered leg category. Interestingly enough, Dark Brahma chickens were cross bred with Black Langshans to produce the Jersey Giant. The Brahma is a large bird although most of their bulk is feathers. As an Amazon Associate when you buy through links on our site, we earn from qualifying purchases. The hens will lay the usual brownish colored eggs, though are not known to be overly productive when compared to other breeds. Brahma chickens can live up to 8 years. How many toes do Brahma chickens have? They are very good with kids just watch out for them being knocked over by these humongous birds. Caused by their excessive foot feathering, these mud balls can cause the loss of nails or tips of toes. However, they will not protect the flock from a dog, fox, or hawk. 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. They dont need to scratch or free range as often as other breeds, being very laid back. Why do some chickens have 5 toes? - Pets and Animals Guide These prolific winter layers produce an impressive amount of eggs between October and May. The Brahma was originally categorized among industrial birds for its large size and meat bird qualities, but today, this majestic large bird is a must-have for the backyard coop. Walk-in chicken coops offer your chickens an off the ground coop, external nesting boxes and high roosts. Also, apply cornstarch or styptic powder to treat your bleeding chickens feet after the feet feathers pull off, snag or get stuck on surfaces. Its best to provide this space in advance so you dont have to move your chicks. It doesn't actually touch the ground or serve any functional purpose. Light Brahma roosters have a prominent black collar of feathers below the black and white neck feathers. Brahmas occasionally develop mud balls or fecal balls on their toes. How Old Are Brahma Chickens When They Start Laying Eggs? Brahmas arent sickly birds, but what makes them most vulnerable are wet and muddy environments. 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. It needs a lot of space to move in, and being tall, they also need more ceiling and door height for their enclosures. When other birds are not laying during the cold temperatures, you can rely on your Brahma hen to continue with egg production. Lets look at how to best meet the basic needs of Brahmas when raised in a backyard flock. However, the breeds slow maturity rate made it lose its popularity in favor of other quickly-maturing chicken breeds. 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. They stand upright and seem to form a V when they are standing. In general, Brahma roosters wont be destructive or threatening to your hens, but roosters of other chicken breeds can be so its important that you keep an eye on your girls to make sure they arent hurt by the rooster. The Brahmas have tight, soft, and dense feathers that extend to their legs and hind toes, making them appear even larger than they are. Its appealing outlook and demeanor places it among the best backyard chicken pets for any family. These are not only unsanitary, but they can be dangerous. However, being foragers, they prefer free-ranging and larger yards.