Introduction
Lots of people often ask me about How to Raise Brahma Chickens and the best chicken breed for raising chickens in the backyard. My choice has always been the Brahma chicken either its buff brahma or blue brahma, although I believe it really depends on various factors like space availability, egg production, meat production, whether you prefer a hybrid, or the bird’s beauty. For those focused on egg production, I suggest the Australorp.
If someone is interested in beautifying their backyard flock, then the Brahma chicken is a great choice. For chicken owners who prefer hybrids, I recommend breeds like Cornish, Plymouth Rock, and New Hampshire. It all comes down to individual preferences. But for someone who wants a laid-back and friendly bird, I definitely recommend the Buff Orpington chicken.
There are many special things about the Brahma chicken. It’s a large size bird, towering over the rest of the flock, and it’s a real joy to have around because of its friendly nature. Everyone has their own preferences for liking a specific chicken – it might be its looks or how many eggs it lays. Some chickens are great at broodiness and motherhood, and easily raise chicks to join the flock. I can’t put my finger on what exactly drew me to Brahma chickens, but I’ve been raising them in three different colors so far, and I just love it. It’s become my favorite hobby.
What are Brahma Chickens?
Brahma chickens are renowned for their enormous size and gentle nature, often referred to as the “King of All Poultry ” Their striking appearance and impressive stature, with roosters standing about 30 inches tall and hens around 26 inches, make them popular among backyard chicken enthusiasts. Initially, they were prized for meat production in the United States from the 1850s to 1930s and were also valued as good egg layers during winter.
Additionally, Brahma chickens are highly regarded for their size, strength, serene temperament, ability to lay eggs in winter, and notably, for good meat production. They are affectionately known as “Gentle Giants” due to their docile behavior and reliable egg-laying capabilities, making them a top choice for those seeking a consistent egg supply. The Brahma breed is the second-largest chicken after the Jersey Giant. These characteristics contribute to their status as a heavyweight breed, perfect for producing hefty roasters or a significant quantity of eggs.
Raising Brahma Chickens
Ultimately, the Brahma chicken breed is an ideal choice if you’re looking to raise large, friendly birds that lay large brown eggs regularly. Initially bred primarily for meat, Brahma roosters weigh around 12 lbs, and hens are typically between 8-10 lbs. They are easy to raise for and, due to their size, don’t fly much, which makes them a good fit for coops and also suitable for free-ranging. Brahmas are consistent egg-layers, producing about 200-220 eggs per year, with each egg being medium to large in size.
How to Take Care of Brahma Chicks
Brahma chicks are larger compared to regular chicks, making them easily distinguishable from other breeds. Providing a spacious brooder where they can roam freely is essential for their physical activity, preventing boredom. Due to their size, they require more feed and water than other chicks. Like all chicks, they need extra protein in the initial three months of their life, so ensure they receive a protein-rich diet. Additionally, consider adding multivitamins to their water for overall health.
Quick Facts
Brahma Eggs & Meat
Brahmas chickens are hardy, meaning they adapt well to both hot and cold seasons. Being large birds, they lay medium to large-sized eggs, primarily from October to May. They are known for their impressive egg-laying abilities, producing about 180-220 eggs annually. They especially excel during the cold season, a time when other birds often stop laying eggs to conserve warmth.
Coop for Brahma Chickens
Brahma chickens are large birds, requiring ample space to move around, stretch their wings, and roam comfortably. While typical chickens need about 2×2 feet of space per bird, Brahmas, due to their larger size, require a minimum of 4×4 feet for each bird to ensure they have enough room. Providing a spacious and well-ventilated Brahma chicken coop is essential to accommodate their size and ensure their health and happiness.
Run Size for Brahma Chickens
As you’re thinking about adding Brahmas to your flock, it’s important to ensure your backyard has ample space for their run. Brahmas thrive when they’re free-ranging. Providing them with a large area to roam, scratch, and find food, and live freely, it will not only boost their immunity but also reward them with a generous number of eggs. However, if providing a large free-range space isn’t feasible, make sure they at least have the essential space they need to live comfortably. Additionally, it’s beneficial to include a run area and an activity zone within their confinement. This will keep the hens busy and engaged in their surroundings.
How to Feed Brahma Chicken
This chicken breed has a considerable amount of feathers. It’s essential to include protein-rich elements in their diet as it aids in the development and upkeep of feathers, ensuring they stay shiny and healthy. One way to add extra protein to their main feed is by incorporating dried shrimp. An excellent alternative is growing live insects, which not only provide the best protein for immunity but is also cost-free. This ensures your chickens get the nutrition they need for robust feather health and overall well-being.
Good food is really important to keep their feathers colorful and strong. In my previous blog, I talked about how picking the right food for Brahmas is super important, especially foods with lots of protein.
Appearance of Brahma Chickens
The Brahma chicken is entirely covered with feathers from head to toe. A distinctive feature of Brahmas is that they have 5 toes on their feet, while regular chickens have only 4. This extra toe results in more feathers compared to normal feathered leg chickens.
Light Brahmas are white with fine black lacing in the hackle and tails. Some black feathers end in the saddle, creating extra depth in their appearance. The lacing pattern adds a unique touch. The hackle feathers conclude with a black stripe.
Males have shinier feathers compared to females, a common trait among chicken breeds. The pea comb of this breed enhances their gorgeous look, with a short size and 3 folds, resembling peas in a row. The red comb creates a striking contrast with their feathers.
They have a short yellow beak that contrasts with their feathers. Short red wattles are located under their beak, with males having slightly larger wattles than females.
This breed mainly comes in three colors initially accepted by the American Poultry Association: Light Brahma, Dark Brahma, and Buff Brahma. Later, many more colors were introduced.
Brahma Chicken Feed
When planning to buy chicks or breeders, it’s essential to consider the additional expenses for their feed. My Brahmas consume double the feed compared to my other chicken breeds. I usually provide them with kitchen leftovers, such as vegetable peels and leftover cooked rice, which they thoroughly enjoy.
Additionally, I treat them to a special Sunday breakfast with mashed banana and yogurt during the summer. In the winter, I enhance their feed or water with essential oils or occasionally Oregano Oil, following the provided instructions.
Brahma chickens are not fussy eaters, but their larger size means they require more feed than regular chickens. If you’re considering getting this breed, it’s crucial to factor in the increased feed expenses before making a purchase, especially if you have a tight budget.
Brahma Chicken Health Issues
The Brahma chicken is known for its densely feathered feet, making it susceptible to attracting mice, ticks, and lice. Due to their weight, they are also prone to developing bumblefoot, which is a common issue in this breed. Despite these challenges, Brahmas are generally healthy chickens, requiring minimal care and attention.
Sand Bath
Sand Bath is not only helps chicken for mites and lice treatment, and it also help them to keep smelling fresh, and Dust bath for chickens also provides them activity area.
How big should a chicken dust bath be?
As Brahma chickens are large, they require a spacious and deep dust bath area. You can enclose the space with cement blocks or utilize a deep container where breeders or chicks can comfortably dig into the dust and enjoy their bath. My dust bath area measures approximately 12 inches in depth with dimensions of 15 x 24 inches, providing ample space for the chickens to indulge in their dust bathing activities.
Bumblefoot
The scientific name for bumblefoot is Plantar Pododermatitis. It’s an infection that occurs inside a chicken’s foot. There are several reasons why bumblefoot can occur, but it tends to happen more frequently in Brahmas due to their weight. Brahmas require soft ground to walk on in their cage. If the ground is hard or cemented, there’s a higher likelihood of bumblefoot developing in Brahmas. It’s essential to provide them with a suitable environment to reduce the risk of this condition.
Overheating
If your chicken seems agitated with a weak neck and a dull comb, it’s a sign that she might be overheating. It’s crucial to take prompt action and provide relief. The most effective and simple way to cool down your chicken is to immerse her in a bucket of water. This immediate cooling method will help alleviate symptoms of overheating, ensuring your chicken’s well-being.
Frostbite Risk of Brahma
Taking extra care of your chicken’s bedding is crucial, especially in winter. Their shanks and legs have dense feathers. If the sand becomes wet or muddy, it can lead to a problematic situation. Wet conditions increase the risk of frostbite on the legs. Ensure the bedding is 4-6 inches deep and choose dry, well-drained soil for the best results. This helps maintain a comfortable and healthy environment for your chickens.
What Other Breeds Are Large?
- Jersey Giant
- Delaware
- Faverolles
- Rhode Island Red
- Langshan
- Orpington
- Malay
- Sussex
- Cochin
- Plymouth Rock
- Australorp
- Barred Rock
- Malines
- New Hampshire Red
- Dong Tao
- Brahmas
- Brahma
- Cornish
- Orpington chicken
- Langshan Chicken
- Malay chicken
- Cornish chickens
- Jersey Giant chicken
FAQs
Summary
Raising a Brahma chicken is surprisingly easy, contrary to what many people believe. Some assume it’s challenging to keep them in their backyard because of their height, thinking they might have a feisty nature due to their size. However, that’s not the case. One remarkable aspect is that Brahmas easily get along with other chickens and don’t engage in fights. If they had a confrontational nature, keeping them inside the coop would be much more challenging.