Backyard Brahmas!!

[K9Dave]

From what I've read that is not typical for the Brahma breed. That's why I included one in my flock; they are supposed to be calm, friendly, & affectionate. Even lap chickens. How old is your Brahma? Where did you get her from? How long has she been in your care? Where is she at in the pecking order of your flock?

Thanks for the reply. She and her siblings (5) are around 18 weeks or so. There are 2 other maybe 14 week old Pullets as well. She probably right under the Alpha I would imagine, as far as pecking order. She was a feed store chick and I spent tons of time with all of them and still do. The rest are very calm and easy around me. In the morning when I open the coop door for them to free range, all run out except the Leghorn and Brahma. They wait til I walk away. I still feed them various table scraps and they go nuts. Except thise two, they get the crumbs of what everyone else drops.

 

[WendyF]

That is tough when a chicken isn't as excited about us as we are about them. I would start offering those two treats out of your hand to the side while the rest of the flock is going bonkers over their own treat. They probably won't take it the 1st few tries, but just keep yourself between the shy girls & the feeding frenzy so none of the others realize you have something in your hand. Talk soothingly to them, & 'peck' at the treat with your finger. Eventually curiosity will get the better of them & they will start eating out of your hand. That's the 1st step to earning their trust.

 

[Huntress78]

I'm sure I could've searched around and found all the answers I want but I like interaction so here goes.

I have 1 Brahma and she is very pretty. Looks like a little falcon or something. Anyways her and my Leghorn are difficult to deal with because they're so flighty. Is this typical for this breed? I knew it was for the Leghorn. I have BO, Delawares and these two. All the others are very friendly.

Thanks in advance for the help.

I've found that one flighty bird can set the whole flock off. Last year I added a mixed breed EE with my layers and when she starts her craziness the Brahmas take their cue from her. You could try removing the Leghorn to force the Brahma to buddy up with some of the calmer birds or tame the Leghorn so she's not so wild.
If the Brahma and Leghorn are only getting the crumbs they are probably closer to the bottom of the pecking order than the top. This may change as the flock matures.
Good luck with your new birds!

 

[K9Dave]

I've found that one flighty bird can set the whole flock off. Last year I added a mixed breed EE with my layers and when she starts her craziness the Brahmas take their cue from her. You could try removing the Leghorn to force the Brahma to buddy up with some of the calmer birds or tame the Leghorn so she's not so wild.
If the Brahma and Leghorn are only getting the crumbs they are probably closer to the bottom of the pecking order than the top. This may change as the flock matures.
Good luck with your new birds!

The only reason they're getting the crumbs is because I'm too close to the feeding tray at that moment. Lol. If I'm not out there they're eating fine. I still like hand feeding them occasionally and when I do, these two hang back.

I'm not real worried about it as they're not real pets but just wondering about breeds. The Brahma has grown up with me and the rest of the chicks but has just never gotten used to me. When I brought their food out to their run yesterday evening, all of them follow and walk right under my feet. She waited until I had dropped it off and return to the house before she ever went to join the rest. She was staring at me as I walked across the yard just waiting to start running toward the run. Lol. Chicken

 

[livininbrazil]

The only reason they're getting the crumbs is because I'm too close to the feeding tray at that moment. Lol. If I'm not out there they're eating fine. I still like hand feeding them occasionally and when I do, these two hang back.

I'm not real worried about it as they're not real pets but just wondering about breeds. The Brahma has grown up with me and the rest of the chicks but has just never gotten used to me. When I brought their food out to their run yesterday evening, all of them follow and walk right under my feet. She waited until I had dropped it off and return to the house before she ever went to join the rest. She was staring at me as I walked across the yard just waiting to start running toward the run. Lol. Chicken

You always get the exception. Most likely, if you got another it would be totally different.
I have about a dozen Brahmas, and they range between those that I can just go and pick them up, to those that like to play the game called "nasty feed lady wants us in early, let´s run for it!"

 

[K9Dave]

You always get the exception.  Most likely, if you got another it would be totally different.
I have about a dozen Brahmas, and they range between those that I can just go and pick them up, to those that like to play the game called "nasty feed lady wants us in early, let´s run for it!"

Hilarious.

I'm glad I asked because I'm new to chicken raising and right now I'm determining g what I will likely raise in the long run. I don't need a pet but I like to be able to round them up at a moments notice or do physical checks routinely whenever I want to. Makes it harder with certain birds.

 

[livininbrazil]

Hilarious.

I'm glad I asked because I'm new to chicken raising and right now I'm determining g what I will likely raise in the long run. I don't need a pet but I like to be able to round them up at a moments notice or do physical checks routinely whenever I want to. Makes it harder with certain birds.

The easiest birds I have to round-up are my Isa/red star birds. But they´re just for eggs. They´re very food oriented, so come running when they see the feed pot. My Brahmas....well, depends if they want what´s in the pot.

 

[Sjisty]

My Brahmas round themselves up when it's time for bed. If I try to get them into the coop during the day, forget about it!

I have several lap Brahmas. If I'm sitting outside, either my solid white Brahma hen or my blue hen (or both) will jump up on my lap. If they don't see me, there are several young ones who will jump up on my lap. Most of them will accept a quick pat or two but don't like to be picked up. The roosters, of course, are much too full of their own importance to allow this humble servant to pet them!

 

[livininbrazil]

My Brahmas round themselves up when it's time for bed. If I try to get them into the coop during the day, forget about it!

I have several lap Brahmas. If I'm sitting outside, either my solid white Brahma hen or my blue hen (or both) will jump up on my lap. If they don't see me, there are several young ones who will jump up on my lap. Most of them will accept a quick pat or two but don't like to be picked up. The roosters, of course, are much too full of their own importance to allow this humble servant to pet them!

I´ve read some of your stories.

We don´t have lap Brahmas, but we do have get-in-the-way-when-you-re-digging Isa/commet chickens.
My Brahmas all get themselves off to bed, but then that´s just chickens, I suppose. During the day if I want to put them away I have to bribe them with juicy things to eat. They´ll only be tempted by the best, it can be quite a challenge sometimes! I grow lettuces etc just for bribery!

Works with my geese, too, most of the time!

Oh, and one of my cockerels nearly laid an egg today! I came up to guide him in, as he thought he was hiding around the back of a bush, and I touched him... and he didn´t know I was so close...so funny. Squawk!!!! And the hens just walked on by and ignored him. He grew in height by about 6 inches and fuffed about until he found his way into the pen. I think this one´s self-importance was pooped out!

 

[cabinchicky]

Living in Brazil that story is so funny!! Thank you for sharing that, I so need laughs right now!! Lucky you can bribe your girls to pen, my mixed flock doesn't do as well. Half will go for the treats while the rest are like nope I am not going inside, I am going to run my fool butt off.