Brahma Thread

[Batty about Banties]

Anyone know someone that breeds buff or dark brahmas near Stevenson, WA?

 

[dak]

Quote:
so the flea & tick oil drops for dogs can be used on chickens?
I know i have used a flea shampoo and the lice were abandoning ship like crazy.
I have too many chickens to individually dust each every other week to kill the next generation.
I need something i can use that wouldn't infect the eggs since i sell the eggs

I want to make my chickens happier but every time i mix poultry dust or DE in all their dusting baths they abandon them to dig new ones. they run when they see white powder.

I was told to use the CAT not the dog one. I've used it with no harm to mine. I was told to get it out with a small syringe, and just use one or 2 small drops.

There are two formulations. Frontline and Frontline PLUS. Use the frontline in the spray bottle it doesn't have the added ingredient the Plus has.

 

[mame1616]

Meat, fat, skin, feathers and SKULL. A defect according to the standard is "head too small and narrow". The "brow" or "beetle brow" as many refer to it, usually improves with age. A good high protien diet helps. It is usually evident at an early age in high quality birds. It is really a distinguishing characteristic of the Brahma breed. In my personal opinion, narrow, sparrow headed birds should not be bred from. Opinion again, a good head is the first thing to catch a judges eye.

Tim, you explained it just right. Lots of new Brahma folks believe the Brow is mostly bone, when in all actuality it is mostly the other items you mentioned. You are right Broad Head, Broad Chest and broad Back and a lot less problems. The back should be wide alway back. Don


Hi - lurking and learning. How high of a protein are we talking? And from what age? I usually throw in a bag or two of 20-22% a couple of months before show season, and when everyone's molting. I give treats with higher protein here and there, because I have all heritage birds, dual purpose and meat breeds, including giants and faverolles. I'm on a list for a couple of LF brahmas I hope to get later this spring. I just hatched out some bantam cornish - a new breed for me. So, how much protein, from what age, and for how long a duration?

Also, are you saying that what contributes to the brow is able to be manipulated by diet? It's not just lucky genetics?

Thanks! I've started a Brahma doc. and copy and paste any "lessons" from here for my own files.

PS - I use the Frontline/Q-Tip method as well. Works great for me. I know a couple who have over 200 crested birds and they never have issues.

 

[Tim63]

I take my birds off of starter/grower at about 3 months and put them on 20% game bird breeder ration. I have been mixing a little of the manna pro poultry conditioner with it. I also give 5-10 black oil sunflower every other day. I feed the 20% gamebird ration from age 3 months on.

A good head is primarily genetics, however a good head can be improved with diet.

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Thanks, Tim. Did not know that about the head. I also use that Manna Pro when I can find it. I've been trying to find out if that is a good plan, but could find no one who fed their birds that way, although I've read it was good for the heritage birds, especially the LF. Thanks so much! -Mary

 

[birdygirl123]

Lurking here too!

All the birds here are beautiful!.. Starting the new flock after the move, so I'm looking for kid friendly, unique birds.. Im loving the lace!

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Yes, I agree the Beetle Brow is basically genetics , but try cutting their feed down to about 15-16 % protein and see what happens to the big Brow. I feed everything that I still have a ration that I have mixed up at the elevator and it is 22 % protein. Don

 

[Tim63]

Quote:
Yes, I agree the Beetle Brow is basically genetics , but try cutting their feed down to about 15-16 % protein and see what happens to the big Brow. I feed everything that I still have a ration that I have mixed up at the elevator and it is 22 % protein. Don

Agreed, I think the manna-pro and sunflower seed puts my ration in the 21-22% range.

 

[Mallory]

Real quick here lol

Big Medicine, I was trying to send you a PM but it tells me your inbox is full.

So in that case, I hope its okay to just ask this here openly.

I'm looking to start raising chickens. (For the first time.) I am in love with Standard Brahma's but can't decide whether I prefer Buff, Light, or Dark best. Which led me to wonder if I could own some of all and how that would affect offspring. (I still haven't quite found this answer, but I'm at least understanding I won't come up with regular looking Buff, Light, or Dark.)

So then I am reading through the Brahma thead (goodness! over 2 years of Brahma talk! Its going to take awhile to get all the way through it... lol) and I came across your BEAUTIFUL Brahma's. I don't know how many years you've been working on your laced Brahma's, or even how you got there. But I'm very interesting in learning...

Do you have any book or website recommendations for me to read so I can start grasping how the coloring genetics work? Or where I can find a very clear breed description (ideally including pictures) for me to study so I can learn what makes a "good" Brahma and so I can identify faults?

If you can get back to me and offer me any help, thank you in advance. It would be much appreciated.

Again, you have beautiful birds! Nice work.

-Mallory

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Mallory, I've had the same questions for a couple of breeds, and here's what I learned: Spend several hours with a good breeder, and ask a ton of questions. Get the best birds you can afford from them, and spend a lot of time watching how the birds move, and act, etc. Take pics of they grow up and keep notes. Read everything you can get your hands on and get on different poultry threads, and ask more questions. Go to shows and pick the brains of the exhibitors and especially the judges.

Then do it again, and then again.

This is what I've been told from experienced breeders. (Oh, and cull hard - I hate that part. Not in the position to do that yet, but I still hate it, even though I know they are right.) I don't have the land or other resources for a breeding program right now, but I'm storing up all my learning so I'm ready when I do. And, I don't think it's fair for me to learn all my lessons on the birds if I can learn beforehand. I have files on paper, and on the computer, that hold everything I've learned so far. The breeders I've met have all been really great, and so helpful. Someday, we'll be the ones people come to, with the help from these guys today!