Backyard Brahmas!!

[Dispatch273]

Took some pics of my brahmas this morning. They are such sweet birds. I can't get over how big my cockerel Picasso is and he's not even full grown!! Love him!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Hello all. I'm new to this thread and to the Brahma breed. I bought 3 light brahma hens (2 pullets and 1 hen actually) at an auction last fall, with the intentions of selling them the next day to make a quick buck. That didn't happen, so they came home with me. A month or so later, someone had brought 5 buff brahma pullets to the same auction, so those came home with me also.
I sold the light brahma hens back in January, but after seeing how they behaved, I decided I needed more. Most all of my birds are scared to death of my son and absolutely lose their minds when he comes around. Not only did the brahmas not freak out when I sent him in there to catch them, but they let him walk right up to them and pick them up, without even fussing! He also commented that "these girls are HEAVY" when he was bringing them to me. Their gentle nature, along with their size

, made me decide that I had finally found the breed for me.
As stated, I decided I needed more light brahmas (I still have the 5 buffs), so my chicks should arrive on Monday or Tuesday

--12 light and 12 buff brahmas. Since apparently no one in this area ever seems to have brahma roosters, I ordered 10 pullets and 2 cockerels of each color. That way I'll have some to pick and choose from.
I plan to keep the biggest and best-looking ones from the bunch and sell the rest. I know it would be easier to get 'good' stock to start with, but people around here really don't care what they look like and I can't really afford to start with 'good' birds. Plus, it will give me something to do

.
I read somewhere that the record for brahmas was 14 pound hens and 17-18 pound roosters, I think having chickens that big would be super cool! I'm mostly going to work on size but will try to keep/get them close to standard. Here are some pics of the 5 buff girls I have now. Their rooster is not a brahma, but he is the biggest guy I have and has most of the brahma characteristics, so I figured he would work for now. I have some of their eggs in the incubator, due to hatch in a few days, so we'll see how they turn out

I know some of them won't make the eventual cut ('missing' tail feathers, 'lacing' when there shouldn't be), but they can stay here for a while longer. Ignore the comet hen in the pen, she's a camera hog! She will be going to her new home very soon.

 

[mes]

Random question...I have never had one of my brahmas go broody. Have you?

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Two from ten so far.

 

[bumpercarr]

Random question...I have never had one of my brahmas go broody. Have you?

Yes, mine go broody. Not all of them and they don't make the best mothers once they hatch. They aren't as fiercely protective as some other breeds, silkies come to mind.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Mine were very good mothers but they are in a flock of brahmas. No one to be protected from haha

 

[SD Bird Lady]

@shelleyd2008 Just curious what type of rooster you have with your hens. I'm not trying to insult your bird in any way, he just has some different traits that aren't brahma but I cant really place him. He has beautiful colors, I love the black and red. Are his legs feathered or are his legs really scaly? Hard to see details in pictures.

 

[bumpercarr]

Mine were very good mothers but they are in a flock of brahmas. No one to be protected from haha

LOL...that is all that I have as well, brahmas, so mine don't really need protection either. I just remember way back when and the protectiveness of other breeds....brahmas definitely don't do that kind of protection. They cluck for the chicks and teach them things, but don't do the wings out growl that other breeds do if anyone gets near the chicks.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

@bumpercarr I agree, they are very relaxed.

 

[shelleyd2008]

@SD Bird Lady : He is actually a mix. His mama was a hatchery LF cochin with a pea comb and his daddy was a LF Phoenix. I know he is not a Brahma (and believe I said that

), but he is the biggest guy I had. He lost his hens last year and the Brahma girls didn't have a roo, so I put them together. Hoss is also the oldest chicken I have, he will be 6 this summer. So he is here to stay and will always have some ladies.

Edit to add that his legs are lightly feathered--and probably also scaly. He's an old guy!

Also, if you click on the pics to enlarge, you can clearly see that his legs are feathered. Other than his black legs and 'Phoenix' tail, what other characteristics do you see that are not brahma?