Backyard Brahmas!!

[GAFarmGirl87]

Thanks! Not too bad for old ladies, are they? All that bunch, except poor Fern, is over 6 years old. In fact, probably I have maybe 15 hens who are 5-7 years old so as they pass on, we're making plans to rebuild with the breeds we love the most, my favorite Barred Rocks from the Stukel lines, my DH's dark heritage RIRs and, the 3rd breed, just for a little more variety, will be our Brahmas. We have truly enjoyed Caroline and Miranda (lost her about a year and a half ago).

Oh wow! Do they still lay eggs?

 

[speckledhen]

All three of the BBS Ameraucanas lay, the BRs lay (they're 7 now), Caroline popped out a few eggs this year after a very long break, Panda the 5 1/2 yr old barred EE lays, so yep, most of them still do lay, though they take long breaks and lay in spurts.

Of the other older hens in other coops, I have a 7 year old RIR/Buff Orp hen who lays still, an almost 6 year old EE who lays regularly, two 5 year old Delawares who lay, one almost every single day. My original flock has long passed on or they'd be over 8 years old now, but all of these are either from good breeder lines or they are 2nd or 3rd generation from the hatchery.

 

[Trooper Man]

I need some nice quality brahmas. I will take chicks to started fowl just let me know what you have and maybe we can work something out. I need them shipped though and I can get the money ASAP out to seller. I have not had much luck finding any good brahmas and I finally got some show quality Darks but want a different color.

 

[DuckiesGarden]

I will try to get some today since it is supposed to get a bit warmer ..... 20F is a heat wave for how its been lately haha

LOL, I know what you mean! It was 40F here today and I swear it felt like summer compared to what its been!

 

[DuckiesGarden]

They will be 2 weeks old on Sunday. They are getting lighter each day, and they are starting to feather out at their wings.

Wow! Those are lighter! I hope youll post more pics as they grow! Too cute!

 

[Sjisty]

Some of my youngsters. They are looking good - no vulture hocks!

 

[DuckiesGarden]

The Lights vary quite a bit as chicks, I noticed. I have only one Brahma left, my Buff Brahma, Caroline. She has passed her 7th hatch day and is head hen in the Retirement Home & Hospice. She developed pendulous crop in the last year or so and must have multiple crop massages daily to get enough nutrition through, but she's a tough old broad. She even laid three or four eggs in the last couple of months, much to our surprise, after an almost two year hiatus. At the moment, she is presiding over a 4 year old BR hen who is dying of what I think is cancer. Caroline is amazing and dignified and bossy and sweet and beautiful and I will miss her so much when she's gone. Here she is with the other old hens watching over Fern. She will leave food for Fern, pushing others away from her even. It's touching to watch how unselfish a hen can be, but that's Caroline.

Theres nothing better than a good friend!

 

[SD Bird Lady]

These are all hatchery birds from Cackle that I got May 2013. They were very light chicks almost completely yellow. Sorry I don't have any baby pics but they were very similar to your "odd ball" It was wet today so the hens are a bit dirty.

 

[Huntress78]

Love, love, love the retirement home pic! I hope someone takes such good care of me when I'm old!

Fuzzybutt pics are always good too! I really need to get hatching. It seems that the light chicks grow to be a bright white (like SDBirdlady"s). Mine seem a bit dull by comparison as they have the gray undercolor.

Sjisty, beautiful birds as usual! Congrats on getting a handle on those VHs!!

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Wow! Those are lighter! I hope youll post more pics as they grow! Too cute!

Thanks! Yea, I intend to post an article with pics showing development. I love watching them grow!