:/ Brahma questions

[Chickybaby]

I'm new to this chicken raisin' game, and have some questions regarding the development of my 5 week old Lt Brahma babies. I have been watching one in particular because it seems to be developing differently than the others. I've had them for over 3 weeks now. The feathers are growing in more slowly, and in a different order than the others. The feathers are the same, though. It is slightly bigger than most of the others as well. In the last few days it seems to be developing a bump/raised area, for lack of a better term at this stage, near the top of its head - almost between the eyes. The color is yellow/orangish. I wondering if it was a roo or not, I'd like to have one but trying not to get my hopes up too much either. Its behavior is slightly different as well, as is the noise it makes. It isn't like the others chicken-chatter, it's more urgent in nature than them. This bird is not aggressive at all, except for the noise it makes, especially nearing dark. And it seems to be "directing" the others. I have two others that are developing a reddish/pinkish comb area but both are rather flat and pointed between their eyes (pointing backwards). I would have thought that by 5 or so weeks it would be obvious if I had a roo, but that doesn't seem to be the case so far. I don't really care, they're really wonderful and friendly birds in any case. I am impressed at their size at this young age, too, as is my DH who was out of town for a week. He came home, took one look and said "we've got CHICKENS! What happened to the babies?" They seem to be extremely curious also, and not easily startled (except for one that is rather a loner anyway). Can anyone offer words of wisdom? Thanks!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Would be helpful if you could post some pics...Light Brahma have peacombs...cockerals develop theirs faster then the pullets...they are wider and thicker/orange red..I find the cockerals alittle larger in size then the pullets...pullets will have a thin pale pea comb......Brahmas cockerals and pullets are very slow to mature......pullets usually don't lay til 6 months or after...

 

[zatsdeb]

my light brahma rooster is double the size of the hens! they do develop differently.Yes, Some pic's please!!!

 

[gritsar]

My dark brahma roo (4 weeks old) does have a higher pitch squeal, especially when he's scared or has a tasty treat he's trying to keep away from the others. The only other difference I've seen is that he still has bare "shoulders", where the girls are almost fully feathered across the tops of their wings. He is smaller than most of mine, but all my darks are smaller than the buffs and the lights. My buff brahma that's s'pose to be a roo is pretty much feathered out like my girls and he's very quiet and quite a bit more skittish.
Edited to add this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=51242
At the bottom of that thread, Gindee77 offers some helpful tips for telling the difference at a young age.

 

[jeaucamom]

I have four Lt brahmas and they kept me guessing as to gender. They all had just a little too much pink in their comb for me to say girl and not enough to say boy. They are now 9 weeks old and I am sure they are girls. But they all look different. Only one has a cushion and there is slight color variation on them. So just wait a week or so and it will become very obvious. But yes... Post pics!!

 

[Chickybaby]

Thanks everyone! I'll try to get some pics this afternoon and post this evening - I'm a little computer challenged so we'll have to see how that goes!

 

[Chickybaby]

Okay, I think I've figured out how to do this...

Here's one:

and another...

and this is what he looked like a couple of weeks ago, everyone else had feathered backs already...

I hope this worked! This forum is the greatest!

 

[jeaucamom]

I think you very well could have a roo on your hands. None of mine slow feathered like that. And the comb does look like it is starting to raise just a little. I imagine if it is a roo, it will very shortly start getting bigger wattles and that comb will really start to develop. Keep us posted!!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Does appear to be a cockeral...Keep us updated...sometimes Brahmas can fool you for awhile...

Forgot to add: They are very nice looking Light Brahmas...nice markings so far......

 

[Chickybaby]

Thanks, I think so too! But I could be a little biased... So far I am enoying everything about them. They are so friendly and curious, most won't hesitate to come right over and hop on your lap whenever we open the pen door. Some will sit there and just let us pet them, and will run right back to us when we go to put them back. It's really funny. I wasn't too sure, when this breed was recommended to us, that I would like the colors - black and white are a little boring. But each one has a slightly different pattern, and some are REALLY pretty. I'll likely start a hunt for some Buff's, and maybe some Dark's too. My husband thinks I'm completely over the edge - when he asked what I want for Mother's Day, I replied "more chicks!" And another couple feeders and waterers, and.... well, you get the point. I've definately got the fever.