Brahma chicken is actually an Asiatic chicken breed. It is among the large chicken breeds which was developed in the United States from very large breeds imported from the Chinese port of Shanghai. This breed was the principal meat chicken breed in the United States from the 1850s until about 1930. Nowadays, people raise Brahma chickens for both meat and egg production and also for ornamental purpose. There has been considerable controversy over the origin of the Brahma. Brahma chickens were the result of limited cross breeding with Chittagong chickens which gave the Brahma the distinctive characteristics of head shape and the pea comb, and another breed that derives from the Shanghai breeds.
In December 1852, Brahmas were first exported to England. When George Burnham sent 9 Gray Shanghaes as a gift to Queen Victoria. From that stock, English breeders developed the Dark Brahma variety and later this breed were re-exported to the United States. The American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection included the Light and Dark Brahma in the first edition in 1874 and Buff variant were added later (in 1924 or 1929). There it is considered that Brahma chicken breed originated from India. And the name Brahma comes from the river Brahmaputra in India.
Characteristics of Brahma Chicken
Brahma chickens are dual purpose breeds. They are very beautiful, large and hardy birds. They are stately birds with an upright carriage and a large head. They should almost appear to form a V, when standing. They stand fairly tall, males more than the females. They have strong feet with feathers extending all the way down the middle toe.
The plumage of Brahma chicken should be held more tightly. They have pea comb and they can adopt themselves with all types of climates. They are winter hardy birds and lay large light brown color eggs. The eggs of Brahma chicken weight approximately 55-60 grams. Cocks are larger in size than the hens. On an average, an adult Brahma cock weights about 5.5 kg and a hen weights about 4.5 kg.
Behavior/Temperament
Brahmas are very large, stately, docile birds who make good reliable broodies which can cover a large number of eggs due to their size. Although the hens lay larger eggs, but it’s pretty small compared to their body size and weight. Brahma hens also lay less eggs than other chicken breeds. The chicks grow quickly and they are cute. Brahma chickens are elegant birds with beautiful feathering. They prefer dry conditions because of their foot feathering they can develop mud balls or fecal balls on their toes. If this is not removed, the loss of nails or the tips of the toes may result. They will stay happily behind 2-3 feet fencing. Brahma chickens are slow maturing birds compared to other breeds. They are friendly with humans and are very easy to tame. They take a lot of space because of their large size. But they do not fly and you can let them to roam happily outside in the garden or pasture. Brahma hens usually start laying eggs after their six or seven months of age and they continue laying throughout the winter. The profuse feathering makes them very good at withstanding cold winter weather. They are friendly and are tolerant towards other breeds. So, you can keep them together with other breeds without any problem. Even the roosters will tolerate each other. Brahma chickens are docile, calm, easily handled and they make a very little noise.
Brahma Chicken | Breed Profile |
|
Breed Name | Brahma |
Other Name | Brahma Pootra, Burnham, Gray Chittagong, Shanghai |
Breed Purpose | Dual Purpose |
Breed Temperament | Calm, Friendly, Bears Confinement well, Easily Handled, Docile, Quite |
Breed Size | Very Large (4.5 – 5.5 kg) |
Broodiness | Average |
Comb | Pea |
Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
Egg Color | Light Brown |
Egg Size | Large |
Egg Productivity | Medium |
Feathered Legs | Yes |
Rarity | Common |
Varieties | Buff, Blue, Blue Columbian, Black, Dark, Light, Gold and White |
The Good
- Very beautiful
- Big placid birds
- Calm and docile
- Pretty good layers
- Wonderful temperament
- Friendly and easily handled
- Bears confinement well
- High meat production
- Summer and winter hardy
- Perfect for ornamental purpose
The Bad
- Not the best layers
- Consume feeds highly
- Late maturation
Is Brahma Chicken Good for You?
Yes, Brahma chickens are good for you if you…….
- Want to raise beautiful chickens.
- Are thinking about raising some larger sized chickens.
- Searching for calm, docile and friendly chickens for raising in your farm or backyard.
- Want to produce large brown eggs.
- Are looking for perfect chicken breeds with good temperament.
- Are willing to raise such chicken which can adopt themselves with all climates.
- Want to raise some chickens for high meat production.
- Are thinking about raising some chickens in your backyard for ornamental purpose.
- Want to raise some friendly and easily handled chickens as pets.
dear ,
I have required some information related to desi Chicken Birds, Because I am very much interested to start the Desi Chicken farming.
Please guide me …
We will publish information about some Deshi chicken breeds soon. Can you mention the name of any specific breed (which you are interested in)? Thank you!
hi-where can i buy the best local breed female chicks for laying eggs after growing up for my farm near pune & would the feed of bajra[millets] be enough for best results
Small scale local farmers in the villages are good supplier of local breeds. You can search any of your nearest villages. You can feed commercial poultry feeds with millet and access to pasture for better results. Thank you!
I need brahma chicken
there is no information available on diseases in goat & poultry, effecting the animal in winter & summer, what are the necessary action require & its medicine .
We have already published information about goat and poultry diseases and the treatment. Please review the following webpages. Thank you!
http://www.roysfarm.com/goat-diseases/
http://www.roysfarm.com/poultry-diseases/
I will buye some cheeks brahma hen. What price. Plz reply
Please contact any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers to know more about the current price of above breed and their availability in your area. Thank you!
Sir we want brahma chicken for forming
Hello dear friends jise v Brahma chicken Lena ho WO contect kare ( [email protected])
Nmbr do apna
APNA Cantect Numbar Do Nahi To call Kar Ke Baat Karo Mujhse Baat Karo 7985933240
Brahma Chiken Ke Chuje Chahye
Brahma chicken’s available in india
Yes! Please contact some poultry chick suppliers in your area, and they will be able to help you. Thanks!
But do they taste just as good as regular chickens?
Yes!
Can you please share near by Hyderabad any poultry farms of Brahma chickens where i can buy my actual plan is to put up a farm of these chickens can you suggest where i can get more info.
G.N.Naidu
Hyderabad TELEGANA India
Hello sir
You have a brahma chicken.
I am interested for brahma chicken can you please suggest me is there any one import in Nepal.
Hai dear Roysfarm team
I m looking Gaint breed Brahma uk breed chicks for my farm garden kindly let mw knw availblity n shipping bangalore and cost of birds thank u
I want brahma in Maharashtra plz inform me
I want to buy some pairs of barama chicks my contact no is 7087773333 so pl call me
I want to buy some pairs of Brahma chicks pl contact me my number is 7087773333
Hello dear friends jise v Brahma chicken Lena ho WO contect kare ( [email protected])
Where can I get brahma chicken or hens in India for rearing? What about the price? I am planning to start poultry farm shortly.
I’m looking for Brahma and Gaint breed Brahma uk breed chicks for my farm garden kindly let me know availability and shipping cost to bangalore, India.
Thank you in Advance.
Where I can purchase brahma chicken in and around goa
I want to buy Brahma chicks where I can buy in hyderabad
Please advise me or contact me on 8179390097.
Best regards
Mirza