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. Bantams can be a bit difficult to find but there are sources out there! But The King of All Poultry breed also in bantam size, weighing only about 2 pounds. As an Amazon Associate when you buy through links on our site, we earn from qualifying purchases. You should keep them in a cool shaded area if you stay in a warmer place. The Brahma chicken was one of the ultimate table birds until the rise of industrial birds in the 1930s. If you are interested in raising a Brahma chicken as a pet, know that it will likely live for about five to eight years, depending on how well you care for it and whether it is being raised for the production of some sort. Brahma chickens, even roosters, tend to be very quiet, making them a good choice for an urban or suburban setting. This brings us to our next section. Formally known as the Shanghai Chicken, the Cochin breed was created in China and imported to the US in the 1800s. They dont tend to wander far but are relatively good foragers. I have 6 hens and the are in their third season, how many years will the hens lay? On the other hand, the females weigh up to 10 pounds (4.5kgs). A rooster has pure black feathers on its tail, underside, legs, and feet. The American Poultry Associations American Standard of Perfection initially accepted the Light and Dark color varieties in 1874. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). Todays bird is a bit smaller than its ancestors and a rooster will weigh in around 10lb with the hens at 8lb. Therefore, it would be best if you maintain warm temperatures during hot summers to prevent heat strokes. See different Brahma breed colors in the video below. Another nice thing with Brahmas is the fact that they prefer laying over the cooler months. 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. A single Brahma hen or rooster should have at least 5 to 6 square feet of space per bird inside the chicken coop. They'll start by laying smaller 'pullet' eggs. If the pets seem not to get along, do not force a relationship. Again, each Brahma chicken will have a slightly different personality depending on its individual demeanor. four toes Their legs and feet are feathered and each foot should have four toes. 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. The breeding contributed to Brahmas distinctive large head and pea comb. Australian Poultry Association recognizes partridge, blue, black, crele, and The saddle areas feathers have black stripes, while the tails are black with a few white feathers. Its better to keep your flock full and happy because they can get aggressive and bully each other when hungry. You should also allow your chickens to free range, because Brahmas love to forage or relax under shady trees and shrubs in summer. While this is true, they wont be able to hold their own against a group of ostriches any time soon! In recent years the upsurge in backyard chicken keeping has seen the popularity of this old favorite rise again. Brahma chickens, like all other chickens, have relatively long life spans. Because of their size not too much intimidates them. 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. The size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). 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 occasions when they do make noises are the daily egg song and predator alarm calls (which will hopefully be infrequent). It needs a lot of space to move in, and being tall, they also need more ceiling and door height for their enclosures. 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 would be best to pair it with another Brahma chicken to prevent it from loneliness and excessive harassment. Keep reading to find out what its like to actually own a Brahma. 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg) Growing Cockerels. Brahmas can take up to 7 months until they come into lay however the wait is worth it. You can also purchase a light, dark, or buff Brahma from a specialty breeder. Keep the Brahmas surroundings dry, particularly in the winter, when frostbite can be a serious concern. These heavily feathered giants get their size and plumage from their Malay and Chinese bloodlines. Dark Brahma hens are easily identified by their white laced feather pattern across a darker gray body, breast, and wings. Brahma chicks also consume more food than smaller breeds of chicken. Although Brahma fowl species are hardy, they are susceptible to health concerns if owners arent keen enough. Because of these characteristics, the Brahma chicken breed is one of the most expensive chicken breeds in the world. Brahmas cost greatly depends on the chickens age, sex, demand, and color variety. They can start laying eggs from October to May. Brahma chickens, there are a few factors to consider that may dissuade you from Brahma chickens do well in both enclosed and free-range spaces. But, researchers believe that the Brahma breed was developed in the United States from very large fowls or birds imported from Shanghai. She is not flighty or skittish and is very placid. However, the body, wings, and breasts are grey with black patterns. 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. You may find the Brahma chicken to be quite talkative but without the constant squawking and chirping of Leghorns, Orpingtons, or Silkies. They lay lovely brown eggs (sometimes dotted or speckled with white) that are relatively large compared to those of other species. How many toes do dogs have? We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop. 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. There are three varieties of large fowl and bantam size classifications of Brahma recognized by the American Poultry Association. 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. How does the black one have black skin but 4 toes? If you purchase a light Brahma, it will have a base color of white with black and white hackles and a black tail. There are some bantam breeds that have six toes on each foot. 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! Otherwise, the hatching procedures and advice for raising these birds is the same as with other breeds. As they have feathered feet, scaly leg mite can be a problem too so keep a close eye on those legs and feet. Brahma hens lay an average of 34 eggs of medium to large per week and about 150 eggs annually. Overall they are robust and healthy birds. These birds are quiet and docile and get along with other breeds of chickens, too. This quality adds to making them good company in a populated neighborhood. Mature Brahma hens can lay an average of 3 - 5 eggs a week and about 160 eggs a year. With consistent egg production in winter and the ability to adapt to confinement, you should definitely consider this chicken breed for your flock. Brahma hens rarely become broody, but this depends on the individual hen, as it does with all breeds of chickens. Only after many years was the Brahma placed into recovery status through the livestock conservancy and recognized as a meat and egg laying chicken. 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. The thicker feathers of Brahma chickens make it easier for lice to hide. They also stand confinement extremely well having calm and docile personalities. The Brahma is a big bird so they need more space than the average chicken. It also stands tall, up to 30 inches, a size that can be intimidating at first. Brahmas are not so common because they are slow growers. After they hatch, you will need a special brooder box with plenty of fresh, clean bedding, water, and chick starter feed. : 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. It was then 50 years later when Buff Brahmas were recognized. How many toes do Brahma chickens have? In fact because of their size they are usually pretty high in the pecking order and smaller breeds tend not to bother them. They also make incredible mothers, and Brahma hens have been known to go broody frequently. You dont want those beautiful back feathers rubbing against the roof. The named Brahma refers to the Hindu God of Creation, but its unclear why this breed received such an important name. Google it. 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. For example, most chickens raised for meat will only grow two toes whereas laying hens tend to develop four or five toes per foot. The light and dark Brahma was admitted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. 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. I was just gifted 3 of these Beautiful babies just before Easter off this year and I dont think Ill ever want a different bread again. They give a little bit of everything you would need and want from a chicken. Dirt floor pens get muddy very quickly and with feathered feet the Brahmas may develop foot problems. However, they will not protect the flock from a dog, fox, or hawk. Their welcoming temperament and the fact that they are big and cant fly makes them easy to contain. Brahmas are stately and elegant in their demeanors. Are Brahmas the right birds for you? Even if they take confinement quite well, light Brahma and even other heritage breeds shouldnt live in a small chicken coop. They are also prolific layers, giving you between 150 and 300 eggs per year or four to six eggs each week. 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. Brahma hens typically have a small pea comb, while roosters have a large pea comb set on a wide head. chickensandyou.com is reader-supported. Brahmas may not be the best choice for the commercial market because of their slow growth rates, large size, and need for consistent care. Brahmas start laying eggs at about 25-28 weeks of age which is longer than most breeds, but once they do they'll lay large brown eggs. . The growth of their muscles and bone structure is slower than the average chicken. The Dark Brahma exhibits the greatest differences between hens and roosters, with a dark gray hen and a black rooster. It would also be best to provide up to 14 hours of light to Brahma hens to allow them to lay eggs. 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. 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. It should not leak and should be easy to clean and refill. The ideal waterer will keep the water clean and fresh. The latter species were likely imported in the 1840s from the Chinese port of Shanghai and were referred to largely as Shanghai birds. Walk-in chicken coops offer your chickens an off the ground coop, external nesting boxes and high roosts. Brahma hens can weigh up to 10lbs while roosters weigh between 10lbs and 12lbs. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Brahmas stay the healthiest when they are raised in a damp, cool climate. Plus, they have feathers on their feet for more warmth. Larger nesting boxes will accommodate their larger size and provide other chickens ample space to lay without stress. Their incredibly calm dispositions make them a fabulously friendly addition to the flock. Brahmas are good foragers and will like to spend the majority of their day roaming. Although they are slower than other chicken breeds, the long wait is rewarding. They are also trusting, love attention, being handled, and can grow quite attached to their owners. Expect a long, deep and wide body with powerful wings. It doesn't actually touch the ground or serve any functional purpose. 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. They give a little bit of everything you would need and want from a chicken. You can then reduce the temperatures every week by five degrees Fahrenheit until the chicks are old enough to be independent. Both the light and dark colors were accepted to the American Poultry Association in 1874. You may have to wait a few months before you can determine the average size, color, and weight per egg. Males are straw-colored with reddish brown and black markings. Interestingly enough, lighter ear lobes usually mean lighter eggs! The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl. In general the pullets will feather in quicker. The Brahma is a large bird with a long, deep, and broad body. The Livestock Conservancy recognizes them as recovering, for a long time dropping from popularity but experiencing a resurgence in growth as they become more popular with backyard chicken keepers. Perfect for anyone wanting to take a natural approach to backyard chicken keeping! KnowYourChickens.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Add: Chickens+You, 211, 1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 1200 Sheridan, WY 82801, USA, Raising young chicks can be incredibly rewarding. Because these chickens have such a tall stance, that creates a wider and fuller-bodied appearance compared to other breeds. 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.