Backyard Brahmas!!

[speckledhen]

I tossed a clump of sod from the yard into the brooder when the chicks were 2 days old, while I was still brooding them in the house. Now I do all of my brooding outdoors in the run from the get-go, right on the same floor and litter that all of my chickens and older chicks have been on. I rake out the top portion of the litter, put a little clean down on top of what remains, and let 'em go. Don't know what good that clean, fresh upper layer does - they have it all scratched down and mixed up in a few hours anyway. But that's what Mom would do, and it's working very well for me.

That is definitely advisable. I also do that with brooder raised chicks or broody raised ones who can't get outside within the first week of their lives due to weather. Broody-raised chicks are not as prone to cocci as brooder-raised ones that don't get out on soil early. Still, if you have a particularly bad wet prolonged period, cocci can still rear its ugly head. Best to always just have Corid on hand or know where you can buy it in a pinch.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Kicked my "babies" out to the grow out barn yesterday. They are 3.5 weeks old. I got lucky, 5 straight run, light brahmas. Got 3 pullets and 2 cockerels. Exactly what I was hoping for.

 

[Blooie]

You got lucky then, to get exactly what you wanted. I didn't even get the breed I wanted at first! Silly RIRs pretending to be Buff Brahmas!

Gosh, I guess I should be more worried about what I've got as far as pullets and cockerels, but I'm so excited to have Brahmas that I really don't care what they are!

 

[bumpercarr]

That is definitely advisable. I also do that with brooder raised chicks or broody raised ones who can't get outside within the first week of their lives due to weather. Broody-raised chicks are not as prone to cocci as brooder-raised ones that don't get out on soil early. Still, if you have a particularly bad wet prolonged period, cocci can still rear its ugly head. Best to always just have Corid on hand or know where you can buy it in a pinch.

I think brooder raised chicks are more susceptible because the cocci grows in the warm brooder so well, unlike outside where it doesn't have optimal conditions.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
The oocysts that cause cocci live in the soil so that's exactly where they get it. The chicks don't usually show any signs until they leave the brooder and hit dirt at around a month old (about the time most folks let them outside the first time, it seems). Usually takes a couple of weeks if they haven't been exposed to dirt prior to that time. It's like they haven't had it in tiny doses before that. Broody raised chicks are definitely much less susceptible to cocci.

I've never once had chicks with cocci inside a brooder, only within a couple of weeks of touching ground outside. But, then, I only raise mine now with broody hens and haven't had to treat it unless we have that soggy long period I mentioned. Folks in our area just have to be ready to treat with Corid, a fact of life around here.

Cocci is mutating. There are types that are not one of the named kinds that actually can pass from adult to chick in the egg and will not present with the normal symptoms at the usual time you would expect to see it.

 

[Angus Rooster]

Cool thread. After reading about all the beautiful show brahmas and what's involved I've just decided I'm too Redneck for birds that nice anyway! I'll watch this thread and enjoy my eggs and meat from my "standard" hatchery chicks and just have fun with them. Keep up the good work!

 

[bumpercarr]

Cool thread. After reading about all the beautiful show brahmas and what's involved I've just decided I'm too Redneck for birds that nice anyway! I'll watch this thread and enjoy my eggs and meat from my "standard" hatchery chicks and just have fun with them. Keep up the good work!

I think this particular thread is just for those that enjoy their brahmas, regardless of whether they are show quality or not. There are a few other threads that concentrate on breeding to the show standard, one that focuses on "projects". So, welcome!

 

[sukochickens]

Hello everyone! I'm new to chickens and have 6 buff brahma that are 9 weeks old. I was wondering if anyone can tell me about what age I should know for sure if they are hens or cockerels. For example, when they usually start to crow. I'm suspicious of 2 of them but I just don't know. No one has crowed yet lol. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!

 

[BeachBumBiddies]

Anyone know how to get a buff laced color? What colors do you need to achieve this? I'm not necessarily asking for Brahmas. In layman's terms please...Thanks in advance. And don't say use the chicken calc..I have never been able to use that thing...lol

 

[bumpercarr]

Hello everyone! I'm new to chickens and have 6 buff brahma that are 9 weeks old. I was wondering if anyone can tell me about what age I should know for sure if they are hens or cockerels. For example, when they usually start to crow. I'm suspicious of 2 of them but I just don't know. No one has crowed yet lol. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!

Pictures will help. Usually by 9 weeks, you should have a pretty good idea.