Brahma Thread

[big medicine]

Tough Choice here with the 17 Dark Brahma chicks 3 or roos
so now i need to get the best hens and keep the best roo anyone wanna help ?
What stinks is i also have to find homes for the rest Grrrrrr . they are 2 montsh old and i am not sure what to ask for them as show stock Brahmas
I know what i paid and My arms would like to grow back . Tammy

Another thing to consider, it is a long time till you are producing next years chicks. I don't believe I would limit myself to 1 male untill I have chicks on the ground, or close to it. A lot can happen between now and next spring.

 

[brahmabreeder]

As Tim says, way too early, especially for good stock, as they will mature to a good bit larger finished size than hatchery birds, and take longer getting there. Every year I am pretty much convinced that I have not hatched a single cockerel worth the feed they're eating untill they start filling out at a much later age.

Two months is way too early to cull big birds. They are so slow mature it would be impossible to make the correct choice at two months. Let them grow.

Most definitely listen to these two. Last year I had this one cockerel who had the oddest feathering. It was like the black in the feathers was all hour glass shaped, very odd. He was probably the ugliest of the group. Well every time I tried to sell some birds off he was the one no one wanted. Now he is the best buff male I have. He ended up having this deep, rich buff coloring. Kind of sucks that Brahmas take so long to mature but for how beautiful they are it's worth it.

 

[dak]

I have to say that my LF Lights are still pretty naked at 6 weeks old, but I love the frame I'm seeing. (Need to get pictures)

 

[NestingHillsSC]

I think I have a LB hen getting ready to lay for the first time. I would think 4 months old is too soon. Granted they are just hatchery LB's from TSC. I can always tell when there ready. For sure signs, pacing back and forth along fence, making a lot of noise, and going in and out of hen house. I'm really not ready for them to lay yet. LOL. There in the roos side. That house has no hen boxes. Just going to be starting on the hen side now. If the dam rain will hold off for a few days.

 

[OleMissChic]

Good morning!

Is 5 weeks too young to tell gender in Buff Brahmas? In some breeds I can tell but I'm new to BB and am hoping I have a girl in this group of 4. I am fairly certain the Black Australorp is a cockerel but the Brahmas have me stumped. Too soon?

 

[brahmabreeder]

Put up pictures of their backs. Usually that is how I tell with mine.

 

[OleMissChic]

Put up pictures of their backs. Usually that is how I tell with mine.

Thank you! I'll try to get some today.

 

[LukesCityHens]

Put up pictures of their backs. Usually that is how I tell with mine.

I've been fairly good at tail sexing them, at least with the stock I have now. The pullets tails come in long and the cockerals tails tend to stay short and choppy looking....anyone else notice this in theirs?

 

[brahmabreeder]

That kind of works with mine. Some of the males get longer tails than usual and some of the females get shorter tails. I don't base anything on feather growth.

 

[OleMissChic]

Put up pictures of their backs. Usually that is how I tell with mine.

Baby chicks never seem to cooperate when it's picture time. Any thoughts?