If you are searching for a beautiful and docile Brahma Chicken that would join your other poultry in the backyard then this article is for you. Then again, what better choice is there than Brahma chickens? These birds are large, beautifully plumed, and are also very docile and apart from the aesthetic appeal of breeding these birds, they are also excellent layers. It doesn’t matter if you have kept chickens for years or you are a first time keeper, Brahmas are excellent chickens that just require little attention and are family friendly. We come to learn why this breed is sometimes referred to as the ‘King of Chickens’ and why it is a favorite to most chicken lovers.
What is special about Brahma chicken?
Brahma chickens are large and can reach the weight of 12 pounds in hens, and 18 pounds in roosters and this is why it is called ‘King of Chickens’. Nonetheless, despite their size, this breed is known to be friendly and calm thus suitable for families and those who have backyards.
The brahma chickens are also good layers of eggs and their eggs are large brown in colour and are laid for most part of the year even in the winter. This at least looks interesting due to the fact that their legs and feet are covered with feathers. Brahmas are fairly hardy birds and very easy to manage which makes it a practical as well as aesthetical delight in any poultry farm.
Why are Brahma chickens expensive?
This is why Brahma chickens can be costly as compared to other chicken breeds; size, rarity and special traits which come with this bird breed. This is because Brahmas are a large breed and as we all know, large breeds take time to grow to adulthood and therefore the expenses of raising a breed are higher.
This is especially because of their gentle temperament and outstanding cold PLT hardness that makes them preferred by poultry lovers. Also, their beautiful feathered legs and royal look are ideal especially for egg laying as well as for ornamental purposes. Since these are not as common as some of the other breeds, breeders will ask for a fairly steep price for the Brahmas; even more so if the birds are of a higher quality or show quality.
Are Brahma chickens good for eggs?
Indeed, Brahma chickens are good for egg production particularly bearing in mind their large frame. While they are not the most frequent layers of all the common breeds, Brahmas are constant layers which lay 3 to 4 big brown eggs weekly. They are especially appreciated for the fact that they can lay eggs especially during the winter seasons when other breeds have become inactive. They are docile birds and therefore easy to handle for egg collection, and their strong immune system ensures that they lay all year round making them suitable especially for backyard farming.
Is the Brahma chicken the largest chicken?
The Brahma chicken is really very big and as a result, the breed is referred to as the ‘king of chickens.’ The Adult Brahma roosters may reach the weight of 18 pounds while the hens may only weigh as much as 12 pounds only. Although they are not the single biggest birds as some of the chickens from the other breeds such as the Jersey Giant are even slightly larger than the Brahma chickens, they are still considered to be the massive birds with feathered legs. Because of their large size as well as friendly attitude, this breed has been preferred by those who want to have a majestic but friendly flock.
Is Brahma male or female?
It is also worthy to note that “Brahma” is not a sex, but is a breed of chicken. There are two sexes of chickens in Brahma breed namely the male ones, and the female ones. As with other breeds of chickens, the male Brahmas are referred to as roosters while the female Brahmas are known as hens.
Cooks are normally slightly bigger, they weigh up to 18 pounds and have more developed physical traits such as a higher comb and bigger wattles. Cockerels on the other hand are much smaller than hens that take about 12 pounds and they are kept mainly for their production of eggs. Males and females of this breed have feathered legs, docile personality, and great size in common.
Can we eat Brahma chicken?
Yes, for consumption Brahma chickens are used for consumption and are classified as dual-purpose birds because of their egg-laying capabilities as well as their meat. Brahmas, which are big, are nearly large enough to offer a decent serving of meat, with the rooster going up to 18 pounds and the hen, 12 pounds. This is because the meat is tender and highly flavored, thus recommending Brahma chickens for people who intend to rear birds most probably for egg production as well as meat production. Yet, because of their slower growth rate as compared to the current purebred meats, the use of Brahmas for commercial meat production is rare; often found only in small or backyard farms.
Are Brahmas aggressive?
Brahma chickens do not give an aggressive scene and it is virtually impregnable to get annoyed with a Brahma chicken. They are friendly birds and can easily adapt well to other chickens hence they are recommended to be raised in flocks. Still, I’ve known some roosters of this breed to be less aggressive than roosters that belong to other kinds of fowls, though temperament can differ. They are docile birds which can be easily handled, thus making them ideal especially for families or first time keepers of poultry birds. However, similar to any other pets, the dogs should be socialized well and kept in a stress-free environment in order to remain calm.
Can Brahma chickens fly?
poultry birds like the Brahma chickens, hence, when matured, are not so proficient in flying since they are large and have heavy bodies. Most chickens cannot fly much and even then, the Brahmas are more of non-fliers. The young birds may be able to bounce or gargle restricted distances, say, over barriers or on beams or roosts, but they cannot soar or fly any height or ranges. Because hens weigh up to 8kg and roosters that seldom fly weigh up to 8 kg, fowls do not have much flying power. This makes them easy to confine in a low walled fence area which you often see in backyard chicken farmers.
Do Brahma chickens grow fast?
Brahma chickens are slow in putting on weight; they offer neither the growth rate of other fast-growing chickens such as the commercial meat chickens. They are characterized to take longer time to mature and require 6 to 8 months to mature as opposed to 4 to 6 months as in the case of other breeds that are fast maturing. Part of the reason for the slower growth rate is their big size and large body mass. Although this implies they will require a long time to grow to their full size and the ability to lay eggs, their normal and progressive growth enhances their durability and their length of life thus making them a worthy breed to rear.