Backyard Brahmas!!

[Katt66]

Somehow I accidentally trained my first batch of pullets to go into the run when I grab the straw broom.

I've never chased any of them with it or threatened them in any way but every time I'd take the broom and start sweeping the cobblestone walk between their run and the sidewalk leading to the house they'd all run back into the run and up into the coop. I don't know if the sound and motion was frightening to their very impressionable 5 wk old selves or what. But to this day, I grab the broom and walk towards the door and they run inside. They've taught three batches of chicks since to do the same.
As far as flock manners go, I guess there's definitely something to be said for learning from their elders.

 

[bamadude]

I just hatched some Marans, isbars, crested cream legbars, silkies, and polish chicks. My brahmas are 8 months old. Would there ever be any way to allow them to share a run?

 

[K9Dave]

I just hatched some Marans, isbars, crested cream legbars, silkies, and polish chicks. My brahmas are 8 months old. Would there ever be any way to allow them to share a run?

I just got done mixing 2 different aged flocks and I'm new to chickens. I found that it just takes a little bit of time. The older ones make a different chirp from the little ones now and that seems to throw the older ones off a bit. Lol. The roosters went after my chicks so I separated them.

My suggestion would be to put the chicks in a crate or something where the older ones could see the babies but not peck them. Do this for a few days. I had a couple of the older ones that liked the little ones right away so sometimes I would just let out the nice hens to mingle with the chicks. Then they will just become a flock after a bit. Won't take long. Mine are fine and dandy now. I have 5 19 week olds and 2 16 week olds. Good luck.

This of course is just my opinion.

 

[flowerchicks]

Hi there.. I have a hatchery light brahma that was hatched around may 5th,so it's around 13 wks old. It is one of 5 chicks, same age, 2 brahmas and 3 EE's. My friend got one of the brahmas and one EE and I kept the other 3. The light brahma I kept was a little more feathered, slightly bigger and had more black when we split them at around 5 weeks old. Now mine is almost as big as australorp hen. It's voice stopped sounding "chick-like" weeks ago, but the EE's still chirp. I don't see any saddle feathers or pointy hackle feathers, but I'm concerned about the tail and the comb/wattles. I just noticed this morning that it is no longer pale like the EE's. Everyone says brahmas are slow developers, but could I have a quick growing pullet or a Cockrel? No signs of aggression or dominance but both brahmas were always the "leaders" of the EE's. Unfortunately, my friends dog killed her brahma last week so I can't compare them, but the last time I saw her's a few weeks ago, it was still smaller, less feathered and had less black than mine.. Here's some pics taken this morning ..

 

[ocap]

Hi there.. I have a hatchery light brahma that was hatched around may 5th,so it's around 13 wks old. It is one of 5 chicks, same age, 2 brahmas and 3 EE's. My friend got one of the brahmas and one EE and I kept the other 3. The light brahma I kept was a little more feathered, slightly bigger and had more black when we split them at around 5 weeks old. Now mine is almost as big as australorp hen. It's voice stopped sounding "chick-like" weeks ago, but the EE's still chirp. I don't see any saddle feathers or pointy hackle feathers, but I'm concerned about the tail and the comb/wattles. I just noticed this morning that it is no longer pale like the EE's. Everyone says brahmas are slow developers, but could I have a quick growing pullet or a Cockrel? No signs of aggression or dominance but both brahmas were always the "leaders" of the EE's. Unfortunately, my friends dog killed her brahma last week so I can't compare them, but the last time I saw her's a few weeks ago, it was still smaller, less feathered and had less black than mine.. Here's some pics taken this morning ..

the feathers (saddle) just in front of the tail appear rounded, I vote pullet

 

[carcar80]

I vote pullet also. I have two one-month-old cockerels with wattles that size.

 

[cabinchicky]

Car car could you pls post a pic of your cockerels?? I would like to see the comb and saddle feathers if you can. I am new to Brahma and was to get pullets but I would like to be sure. I couldn't get out to the fair to do a Q n A session due to hubby recovering from a 4 wheeler accident and my back issue. My girls hatched April 2 and are fairly timid compared to my EEs, SS and GLW.I really love the laid back attitude of LF and hope to switch my flock over to 80% LF next year. You know Brahmas, Cochins and Jersey Giant. Love them big old feet!!

 

[carcar80]

Sure. But no saddle feathers yet.. It's hard enough to get a decent front shot right now so we'll settle for face shots? Good.

Oh- and those with Partridge, please tell me if the colors of what I assume to be two blue cockerels and two blue pullets, is incorrect. The pattern of the more "yellow" pullets is different right now from the for-sure gold pullets. But I've only ever had a gold pullet so I've not seen the blue develop.

Cockerel #1

Cockerel #2

Blue pullet (just one bc she looks the same as the other one lol)

And last, gold pullet. Again, just one because they look the same.

 

[carcar80]

And cc, for saddle feathers, I do have one older cockerel. He's closer to 4/5 mos.. He's the one I was complaining of having the color bleed-thru on his breast. It seems to be thinning as he grows and his feathers have to cover more ground, but not going away:

 

[bumpercarr]

Sure.

But no saddle feathers yet.. It's hard enough to get a decent front shot right now so we'll settle for face shots? Good.

Oh- and those with Partridge, please tell me if the colors of what I assume to be two blue cockerels and two blue pullets, is incorrect. The pattern of the more "yellow" pullets is different right now from the for-sure gold pullets. But I've only ever had a gold pullet so I've not seen the blue develop.

Cockerel #1


Cockerel #2


Blue pullet (just one bc she looks the same as the other one lol)

And last, gold pullet. Again, just one because they look the same.

I can't really tell from the pictures. The way that I tell is that when the wing feathers come in, take a really good look at them and see if they are black or blue. That usually gives you the answer, however I've had some that have both black and blue and I've had to wait a bit to see what develops. Usually at about 3 months I can be pretty sure what color I have.