This placid bird gets along with everyone and can become attached to their owners. Dirt floor pens get muddy very quickly and with feathered feet the Brahmas may develop foot problems. The pea comb and beetle brow come of Indian descent. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. They are quiet and communicate in low tones. In America, there are three versions of the Brahma recognized: Hawks will seldom try to prey on a mature hen or rooster. Australian Poultry Association recognizes partridge, blue, black, crele, and Her love for nature lead to her degree in Biology and mission to lessen her environmental impact. It would be best to pair it with another Brahma chicken to prevent it from loneliness and excessive harassment. Brahma Chicken. They will tolerate confinement as long as they have enough room in the pen. At the time, no other chicken looked anything like the Cochin. 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. Other than Brahmas, some chicken breeds with feathered feet are Booted Bantams, Cochins, Faverolles, and Silkies. This bird is known for its impressive size and its elegant appearance, and despite its hulking stature, will actually be the most peaceful bird in your chicken coop. A 2-foot fence or 5-6 square foot space for each chicken in the coop is enough to keep them in place. There were several different names for the breed and at a meeting of poultry judges in Massachusetts in 1852, the name Brahmaputra was chosen. The named Brahma refers to the Hindu God of Creation, but its unclear why this breed received such an important name. 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. But "The King of All Poultry" breed also in bantam size, weighing only about 2 pounds. However, feeding them shouldnt end when free-ranging because they cant forage enough to sustain them. Brahmas are stately and elegant in their demeanors. Even the Brahma roosters are peaceful, and not as likely to attack humans or other birds as those from other chicken breeds. Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. If you purchase a light Brahma, it will have a base color of white with black and white hackles and a black tail. Your local temperature, current flock, and space limitations will mean they are either a terrific choice or a terrible mistake. However, if you must keep the Brahmas together with other pets, it would help if you trained and prepared the other pets beforehand. Fact #1: Silkie chickens have extra toes (Though the breed standard is 5 toes, some have an additional toe for a total of 6. Since the mothers are so large it is wise to keep an eye on the hatchlings so they do not get trampled by Mom. They can start laying eggs from October to May. Soon, they became expensive exotic fowls that people kept for meat, eggs, and ornamental purposes. Use the search! KnowYourChickens.com is a participant in the Amazon 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. Add: Chickens+You, 211, 1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 1200 Sheridan, WY 82801, USA, Raising young chicks can be incredibly rewarding. There are also rarer Brahma varieties that you I love chicken as my favorite PET. It is better if you free range them as this will occupy their time and reduce your feed bill. But, researchers believe that the Brahma breed was developed in the United States from very large fowls or birds imported from Shanghai. Brahma fowl species are an excellent choice for chicken enthusiasts looking more for personality than eggs in their flock. five to six square feet. There are also some birds that have 3 toes, and some with 2! 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 size can be very intimidating to some folks (especially small children). Thankfully, the Livestock Conservancy has termed it as a recovering variety in recent years as they gradually become a backyard farmers popular fowl again. Buff Brahma is similar in pattern to that of the light Brahma chickens, but it has a golden brown hue. Despite their size they are a very gentle chicken that is well suited for beginners or families. They are winter hardy birds and lay large light brown color eggs. There are a few different types available so today we Read More . My 6 month old Brahma rooster is already towering over my mature Orpingtons and Australorps, they are certainly the giants of the chicken world! Hens also have feathered feet but are less profuse. For this reason, youll have to cover their run and ensure it keeps them safe from severe weather changes. You can check the feathers for any sign of leg mite and immediately consult a veterinarian for treatment. But assuming these are all in place, and a chick is carefully taken cared of, here are the average sizes to expect: Age and Sex. If you are patient enough, the yield will be well worth it. You can discourage broodiness by removing her from the nest and keeping it closed, or you could place cold packs underneath her to let her know there are no eggs to keep warm or hatch. 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. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. These birds have feathers on their toes and shanks as well as gorgeous pea combs. They are a good breed for those wanting to raise their own eggs and meat birds since they can supply both in great quantities. Brahmas are very placid chickens and are similar in size to the Jersey Giant chicken. . The Livestock Conservancy noted that the Light Brahma is a pound heavier than the Dark Brahma. Their legs and feet are feathered and each foot should have four toes. 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). Moreover, roosters can be up to 30 inches (76 cm) tall and as heavy as 12 pounds (5.4 kg). The plumage consists of feathers that should be tightly held together making them dense but fluffy. How many toes do dogs have? Also, apply cornstarch or styptic powder to treat your bleeding chickens feet after the feet feathers pull off, snag or get stuck on surfaces. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. A full-grown and mature Brahma Chicken size can reach up to 30 inches tall. Because Brahmas are larger than your average chicken, they need extra care, medication, and suitable confinement should they suffer an injury or fall ill. Their feathered legs and feet also make them prone to ailments such as bumblefoot or broken quills. These heavily feathered giants get their size and plumage from their Malay and Chinese bloodlines. 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. Brahmas are very calm and docile with a natural affection for their caretakers. 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. They can accidentally squish their chicks, especially in a small enclosure. Since Brahmas are heavy, it is vital to ensure that the runs and the coops are wide and tall enough to accommodate their sizes. The buff Brahma was accepted in 1924. 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. These chickens are also great with children, and most birds wont mind a kind and gentle cuddle every now and then. What makes this breed a spectacular choice is their friendly and placid demeanor. Write us at info(at)knowyourchickens.com with any questions or concerns! Formally known as the Shanghai Chicken, the Cochin breed was created in China and imported to the US in the 1800s. When it comes to common egg color brown and pink are the norm. Most chickens dont usually lay during the shorter days of the year unless you provide supplementary light. These roosters are incredibly friendly, making them an excellent choice if you want a more docile flock. Brahma chickens are called gentle giants because they have a docile nature and a very large size. Do you have enough space to accommodate the king of chickens? Anyone have insight on this? Asking more so I can figure out when I should be bringing younger hens in to keep egg production up. The Light Brahma was established in the early 1870s; however, its overall size and appearance have undergone several changes since then. These are not only unsanitary, but they can be dangerous. 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. They should be provided a 14x14 nest box, slightly bigger than standard nest boxes. Don't panic though, it's not long before these huge chickens start laying large brown eggs a few times a week. Nov 3, 2011. Tana grew up around island farms and pine forests. 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. Free-range chickens, regardless of the breed, are known for having tastier meat due to the exercise they get wandering around and the fresh organic feed they get from foraging. Due to their enormous size roosters of 18lb were not unknown. Ensure that the chicken coop gets about eight hours of natural light, especially during winter. Lets look at the reasons why you should make the beautiful Brahma a part of your flock. When other birds are not laying during the cold temperatures, you can rely on your Brahma hen to continue with egg production. Ready to purchase a flock of these chickens? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We recommend 5-6 square foot for each chicken in the coop.