Bantam Buff Brahmas - opinions anyone?

[I<3maura]

I have my first pair of Bantam Buff Brahmas. I hadn't intended on getting these two but couldn't resist. My plan is for the standards and I have a pair of young standard partridge now.

Well we have all fallen in love with the pullet - the sweetest bird we've ever had. She is laying and we're thinking about hatching a few eggs. I would appreciate any critiques on the quality of this pair. I like to keep to the rule of breeding to improve a breed. I'm attaching pictures of our one pullet and one cockerel. The cockerel has had a star gazing problem but is improving. If it can be genetic I'd like to know. Thanks!

And here are my Partridge --

 

[I<3maura]

Any Brahma people out there that can give me their opinions? Thanks.

 

[Tim63]

They seem to be colored okay. Heads might be a little narrow for Brahmas. How does the pullets tail look from behind? The standard calls for "well spread at base resembling an inverted "U" when viewed from behind". Brahmas should be powerfully built, cary good width from front to back, with a wide head.

 

[I<3maura]

Thanks for the reply! I was feeling lonely out there!

The pullet's tail is wide and is a good upside down U shape - I love the "leopard spots" under their tails (hope that's not undesirable!) . She is not as wide as the cockerel but he looks like a bowling ball coming at you. My daughter took her to a show this weekend, she placed 2nd of 4 in junior, and I can see what you are saying about her head - she seemed finer than some of the others. She was hatched sometime in June of this year. Could her head still bulk up?

I suppose I could search for a beefier roo and maybe another pullet that is wider. The girl we have now is a keeper as far as my kids are concerned but I like to know how to improve on our stock if we breed. I'll see if I can get some pictures of them walking away from me.

Thanks again!

 

[Tim63]

Yes, if she is a june hatch her head will bulk up more. Here are a couple of examples.

.

 

[snowbird]

I<3maura :

I have my first pair of Bantam Buff Brahmas. I hadn't intended on getting these two but couldn't resist. My plan is for the standards and I have a pair of young standard partridge now.

Well we have all fallen in love with the pullet - the sweetest bird we've ever had. She is laying and we're thinking about hatching a few eggs. I would appreciate any critiques on the quality of this pair. I like to keep to the rule of breeding to improve a breed. I'm attaching pictures of our one pullet and one cockerel. The cockerel has had a star gazing problem but is improving. If it can be genetic I'd like to know. Thanks!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_pauls_bday_silkies_brahmas_033.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_pauls_bday_silkies_brahmas_034.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_pauls_bday_silkies_brahmas_038.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_pauls_bday_silkies_brahmas_039.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_pauls_bday_silkies_brahmas_029.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_pauls_bday_silkies_brahmas_036.jpg

And here are my Partridge --

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65741_brahmas_at_pages_032.jpg

From what I see your Buff have very small heads and the female has low wing carriage and wing color is not very good. Don​

 

[I<3maura]

Thanks for your replies. It doesn't seem that I have the start of a successful show string! I've been spending a lot of time down at the barn the past few days (painting a new coop) and these brahmas have been good company - what nice temperaments. We'll see what spring brings as far as decisions to hatch some eggs. I brought my standard Partridge home today and we'll see how they turn out. These are very slow growing birds! We have some standard Buffs (living at a friend's farm) and we're still not sure who are the girls and who are the boys. They were hatched in June too. We've made some guesses.

Thanks again!

 

[smoothmule]

I have a single, older hen that is a buff Brahma that looks just like her

Mine's name is Pansy and she's just as sweet as can be too. She's hatched any egg I put under her and would take any chick I offered, anytime. She's past all that now and I fear she is nearing her end. She's never looked so "elderly" as she does now

 

[bacres]

DONNA!!! Hi, its Matt

 

[I<3maura]

Smoothmule - It sounds like Pansy has had a good life with you - she's a lucky chicken. It's very hard watching your animal companions grow old but feel good in the fact that you got her to old age. She appreciates it! I hope all goes well.

We recently had a 3 day "Mule Days" here. What fun - the mules were awesome. Everybody here is trying to get me to keep a mule but I hardly ride the horses I have now. I do intend on borrowing a mule for a trail ride soon though - just for grins.

Matt -- yes it's me! Did you go to Minny for the ARBA Convention? I had to cancel. Ash did well! I have 2 blue silkie cockerels left! They gotta go so their daddy doesn't put the stomp on them. We went to the MSPFA show - what fun! See you soon - Donna Oh, and nothing in the nestboxes for November - bummer.