The Brahma is a massive chicken and is only rivaled by the Jersey Giant. You should also allow your chickens to free range, because Brahmas love to forage or relax under shady trees and shrubs in summer. As theyre naturally curious and more inclined to follow you around, they also make great pets. The origin of Brahma is debatable like with other heritage breeds. 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! In the summer months care should be taken to provide them with shade and water as they do not tolerate the heat well. As for roosting space give them around 8-10 inches each. These birds are quiet and docile and get along with other breeds of chickens, too. However, any other Brahma color variety might cost you more. Keep the Brahmas surroundings dry, particularly in the winter, when frostbite can be a serious concern. 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. After all, people originally bred them to thrive in cold climates this is also the reason for their fully feathered legs and feet! Their plumage is smooth and consists of dense down all over the body. How many toes do dogs have? What youll get will depend on the color variety of your bird. Interestingly enough, Dark Brahma chickens were cross bred with Black Langshans to produce the Jersey Giant. Smaller breeds tend to leave them alone, but young Brahmas may be picked on by older hens. The Brahma chicken is a unique bird with a fascinating history. I like to spend my time writing and teaching skills for homesteading and self sufficient living. Although they fell from industry favor they remained popular with small flock keepers as they are a dual purpose hen. Heritage Chicken Breeds: The Ultimate List of Heritage Chickens They stand upright and seem to form a V when they are standing. 10-12 lbs (4.5-5.4 kg) Fully Grown Brahma Hens. 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. Search our database of over 12348 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Since the Brahma is initially for shows, they take confinement well. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "acd8d4fcbd7ea3aa701625b90f646e83" );document.getElementById("d926f7c7d8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Brahma chickens can live up to 8 years. Light Brahma Chicken: Origin, Temperament, and Characteristics They are a dual-purpose chicken breed, which means they are great for eggs and meat. Lets look at how to best meet the basic needs of Brahmas when raised in a backyard flock. These large birds need a fair amount of space due to their size. Unlike Plymouth Rock, this chicken breed with feathered legs is not aggressive towards humans and other chickens. Murdaugh, 54, faces the possibility of life in prison after being found guilty of two counts of murder and other charges related to the shooting deaths of Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and her son Paul, 22 . They can start laying eggs from October to May. All you need to do is feed them lots of treats, and they'll crawl right into your hand for a cuddle or a snack. They also make incredible mothers, and Brahma hens have been known to go broody frequently. Brahmas have feathered legs and feet. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Brahma hens lay an average of 34 eggs of medium to large per week and about 150 eggs annually. Brahmas are good foragers and will like to spend the majority of their day roaming. Brahmas have a large head with a slightly overhanging brow which gives the bird a mean look. The buff Brahma was accepted in 1924. 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. Despite their powerful wings they are not able to fly much due to their weight. 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. Another nice thing with Brahmas is the fact that they prefer laying over the cooler months. 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. Despite their size and intimidating appearance they are gentle giants. While it can easily overheat in the hot summer weather, you can avoid this by providing your Brahma chicken with plenty of shade and water during the warmer months. Cocks are larger in size than the hens. One full-grown bird can feed a big family! How Big Do Brahma Chickens Get? [Average Size Guide] - Pet Educate The Dark Brahma variety was developed during the same time as the Light Brahma. Brahmas are not so common because they are slow growers. He is so cute and takes care of my girls. Brahmas are very calm and docile with a natural affection for their caretakers. According to the American Poultry Association, the accepted breed varieties include the Buff, Dark, and Light Buff Brahma in the feathered leg category. It also stands tall, up to 30 inches, a size that can be intimidating at first. The origin of the Brahma dates as far back as the mid-1800s. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. On the other hand, buff Brahmas have a similar coloration to the light Brahma but with brown feathers. 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. 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. Along with the size of the nest box, you should provide Brahma hens a secure chicken coop that is well-ventilated. Commonly known as the king of chickens, the majestic Brahma is a big bird, standing at an impressive 30 inches tall. The black and whites colors are considered rare. Asking more so I can figure out when I should be bringing younger hens in to keep egg production up. There are also some birds that have 3 toes, and some with 2! Brahma chickens are a large feather-footed breed with a pea comb. These birds can eat up to a third of a pound of chicken feed daily. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! They also need to be housed on dry, well-draining soil in order to avoid the development of disease. Although light Brahma and other varieties cannot fly, they require low and stable roosts to support their weight. When they get hungry they have a tendency to bully other flock members so it is better to keep them fed and happy. Anyone have insight on this? While not "normal," the extra toe certainly is cute! Im fairly new to the chicken kingdom, just started about 2 years ago so Im still learning. 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. It needs a lot of space to move in, and being tall, they also need more ceiling and door height for their enclosures. How do i now what is a hen and what is rooster. My 6 month old Brahma rooster is already towering over my mature Orpingtons and Australorps, they are certainly the giants of the chicken world! Contrary to their intimidating size, the giant Brahma breed is very docile. Beautiful birds, but it sounds like I may need more room. They are also trusting, love attention, being handled, and can grow quite attached to their owners. They are quiet and communicate in low tones. Brahma chickens have become a firm favorite among poultry fanciers over the last 50 years. 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. Brahmas are also easy to contain, as they cant fly well. About 6 weeks ago I purchased 6 buff Brahma hens and a rooster, along with a few others. Add: Chickens+You, 211, 1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 1200 Sheridan, WY 82801, USA, Raising young chicks can be incredibly rewarding. But, they still could make wonderful flock mates because of their gentle nature. The Brahma is a striking bird to look at. At 1-3 days,girls have uneven pipe cleaner looking wing feathers while boys tend to be straight. Brahma Chicken Variants. Brahmas can even be as heavy as 12lbs for cocks and around 10lbs for hens. Whilst their head and brow gives them a fearsome look, nothing could be further from the truth. Each of these three colors is officially recognized and include Light, Buff, and Dark. Brahma chickens were developed for northern climates and are arguably the least susceptible breed to cold and exposure. Although their large sizes can be overwhelming for new parents and children at first, it is easy to grow to love these birds. They thrive in cold weather and simply need proper living conditions in order to continue laying during the winter months. Overall they are robust and healthy birds. The hens have a more uniform, feather structure, still quite triangular but wider than a Brahma rooster. 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. Being a cost-saving option is a bonus if you have land space for it. You can easily clean frost and mud balls from their feet with warm water. Instead, keep the Brahma chickens away from bullies. There are three colors of Brahmas you can choose from when you are building your flock. Yet, they are one of the largest chicken breeds. These can still be found today, but remain less popular than the light and dark varieties. 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg) Growing Cockerels. Buff Brahmas are a color variation of the regular Brahma and they are certainly eye-catching. Nov 3, 2011. It's spelled "Marans," but it's pronounced, "Muh-ran.". ring toe Being a bird breed common to the Northern Hemisphere, keeping Brahma chickens in a spacious indoor chicken coop is ideal for preventing freezing feathers. American standards also require thin feathers on the feet with a large or heavy-set body. And the "s" is silent. Whilst Brahmas can fit into a 12x12 nesting box they will appreciate a larger 14x14 box. 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. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. At least four square feet per bird in the coop is ideal, but include extra space if youre able. Size And Weight Of A Brahma chicken. Allow your chicken to free-range and run around regularly. Chickens And More. What, Chickens are wonderful animals to own, even if you dont count their many advantages, including fresh eggs and, Whether you are new to chicken keeping or youve had a run-in with a predator, the best way, Fluffy, speckled, bearded, and feather legged, you can find bantam chickens in every variety and because of their, If you could imagine a chicken with a mustache, and not just any mustache but one of imperialism,, While it may be either the prettiest or the strangest looking chicken youve ever seen, the Polish chicken, What Do Chicks Eat? You can check the feathers for any sign of leg mite and immediately consult a veterinarian for treatment. Although they are slower than other chicken breeds, the long wait is rewarding. Ideally, you should only butcher Brahmas when they reach their market weight of at least 8lbs. Brahmas flock is also docile, peaceful, and has low noise levels making them an excellent fit for urban dwellers and beginners. You can eat chickens without any problem. Advertiser Disclosure: EcoPeanut.com is a participant in the Amazon.com 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, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca. chickensandyou.com is reader-supported. Due to their enormous size roosters of 18lb were not unknown. If you notice some blood on the foot of your chicken, it is best to look at the quills. Now we know a little bit about them and where they came from, lets move to their physical features. The original Brahma chicken colors included the Dark and Light Brahma up until the 1950s. The good thing is that, despite being huge, Brahmas can thrive in confined spaces. We do not specifically market to children under 13. 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. Average Weight (Pounds and KG) Fully Grown Brahma Roosters. These are not only unsanitary, but they can be dangerous. However, it fell off the radar commercially soon after while remaining a favorite amongst backyard flocks. 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. Brahma hens can weigh up to 10lbs while roosters weigh between 10lbs and 12lbs. These birds have feathers on their toes and shanks as well as gorgeous pea combs. If you are hatching your own chickens from an incubator, know that these large fowl can take a bit longer to hatch (a few hours, in most cases). The Brahma is a large bird with a long, deep, and broad body. However, the meat of an adult Brahma is not as tender as a young Brahma. Make sure to get a breathable mesh harness for when you want to take them on walks. BFE, Nevada. Todays bird is a bit smaller than its ancestors and a rooster will weigh in around 10lb with the hens at 8lb. The Brahma chicken is a multi-purpose chicken breed and a must-have for backyard farmers. 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. All you need to do is feed them lots of treats, and theyll crawl right into your hand for a cuddle or a snack. The breed is easy to contain, not being able to fly low fences very easily. Because of their size not too much intimidates them. Great timing since other breeds will be just starting to lay. These birds usually start laying at around six or seven months of age. Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. You should also position the nest boxes low to the ground or add a sturdy chicken ladder to the nesting and roosting area. Brahma chickens, there are a few factors to consider that may dissuade you from Related: 18 Friendliest Chicken Breeds For Your Backyard. But between free-ranging and medicated feed, what do chicks eat? : 2023 Chick Feeding Guide, Top 5 Chicken Fencing to Keep Your Flock Safe (2023 Review), Bantam Chickens: Breed Profile and Care Guide (2023), Araucana Complete Care Guide: All You Need To Know (2023), The Polish Chicken: Breed Profile and Care Guide (2023), The Best Chicken Hatchery: A Guide to Buying Chicks Online, Best Egg Washer To Help You Clean Eggs Quick and Easy (2023), Best Animal Repellent to Protect Your Flock (2023) Guide, Best Chicken Starter Kit: All You Need to Raise Chicks. The Dark Brahma exhibits the greatest differences between hens and roosters, with a dark gray hen and a black rooster. These prolific winter layers produce an impressive amount of eggs between October and May. For comfort and better egg-laying, you can provide Brahma chickens with high-quality feed, enough water, and clean nest boxes. Brahma fowls are large birds that require a sizeable cage or enclosure than the average chicken. Their legs and feet are feathered and each foot should have four toes. They can easily be contained behind a 2-3 foot high fence. 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. 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. FLYGRUBS Black Soldier Fly Larvae Chicken Feed. Buying the best you can afford Read More , Automatic chicken feeders sound wonderful. 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. Google it. 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. They lay lovely brown eggs (sometimes dotted or speckled with white) that are relatively large compared to those of other 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. Therefore, it would be best if you maintain warm temperatures during hot summers to prevent heat strokes. Bantam Brahmas are much smaller with the males weighing about 38oz and hens weighing slightly less at 34 oz. They can live in confinement with other types of chickens, however, having very docile, calm personalities. Larger nesting boxes will accommodate their larger size and provide other chickens ample space to lay without stress. Careful introductions to new chickens and a spacious coop will ensure that you create a peaceful environment for all chooks. Because of these characteristics, the Brahma chicken breed is one of the most expensive chicken breeds in the world. The occasions when they do make noises are the daily egg song and predator alarm calls (which will hopefully be infrequent). It was later shortened to Brahma. The plumage of Brahma chicken should be held more tightly. Just like many birds of the Victorian hen craze era (mid-1800s) the Brahma has somewhat uncertain lineage. A full-grown and mature Brahma Chicken size can reach up to 30 inches tall. Chickens as large as the Brahma will need a fair amount of space to keep them comfortable. In this chapter, we look at the number of eggs Brahmas produce per year, when they start laying, and important nest box considerations for your growing hens. While the Brahma has very dense feathers to keep them comfortable during cold temperatures, they are prone to foot problems if left to roam in muddy and damp soil. Although the Brahma chicken is an excellent dual-purpose breed, they are slow-growing and slow-maturing chickens. But T.B Miner, author of the Northern Farmer, coined the name Brahma.. Brahma Chickens | Your Complete Guide - Audrey's Little Farm They also have broad brows with heavy eyebrows. Although males tend to be taller than females, both genders have strong feet and even stronger posture. The Brahma is a big bird so they need more space than the average chicken. We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop. Beginning in the 1850s until about 1930, the Brahma chicken was the primary breed for meat production in the United States. Brahmas are one of the most laid back breeds there is. As these big birds struggle to fly perches should be fairly low for them to access (12-18 inches tall). These varieties are: Dark Brahma is the only variety to have a distinct color pattern between rooster and hen. Brahmas arent sickly birds, but what makes them most vulnerable are wet and muddy environments. Brahma chickens, like all other chickens, have relatively long life spans. Again, each Brahma chicken will have a slightly different personality depending on its individual demeanor. How does the black one have black skin but 4 toes? Landing on a thorn or sharp object when jumping off a roost can cause the debris to penetrate the skin and cause infection. They make a wonderful additions to any flock and even help to defend the flock against smaller predators. Although Brahmas are large, they are often victims of bullying from other chickens. They have pea comb and they can adopt themselves with all types of climates. The plumage consists of feathers that should be tightly held together making them dense but fluffy. The Brahma chicken is an Asiatic poultry breed named after the Brahmaputra River in India. There are few breeds with a history as rich as the Brahma. Simply apply cornstarch to stop the bleeding. 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. 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). This is especially true if your Brahma hen is large or if she comes into egg-laying age during the winter. In recent years the upsurge in backyard chicken keeping has seen the popularity of this old favorite rise again. So, they cant scale low fences, and they wont fly away if theres no fence. 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.