Brahma Thread

[brahmapapa]

O.k. so I'm feeling foolish now for ordering hatchery Brahma's because they're nothing like those from breeders. Can anyone at least please reassure me that they think they're the same? I mean I mostly chose them because of their personalities. Hey this sounds like an ugly blind date experience, huh? What I mean is, have they been crossed with so many prolific layers that they aren't even sweet anymore, or are they just imperfect, show wise? C'mon, tell me it'll be alright.
Vicki

don't fret vickie, the primary diff. between breeder birds and hatchery birds is that breeders are constantly striving to improve thier stock by selectively culling to weed out less than desirable characteristics for each particular breed. hatchery stock is breed specific but much less effort goes into culling to improve the flock. Basically hatchery flocks are raised to provide eggs to hatch, and there is much less effort put into even keeping to breed standards of perfection As far as personality goes, i agree with Tammy that the attention that you pay to each bird deff. is reflected in thier personalities.

 

[Vickis Girls]

Thank You!!!

 

[Vickis Girls]

Will someone help me I have never seen anything like it.https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/742195/chicken-has-red-swollen-feet#post_10410754

Wondering if you've found out anything yet. Also wanted to bring your post to the current page so it doesn't get buried. Good luck!

 

[Dirt Farmer]

Thanks for your honesty. I'm about ready to cancel my chick order. I just don't know where to get a few good L.F Buff's and Lights. Any ideas?

I once got some started LF Lights from Chickens in the Garden (Darlene Hobbs). As a group they were the most docile strain of any breed I've ever kept. One cockerel was a very personable chicken (the one in my avatar). She is a well known breeder of bantams and her LF originally came from perhaps the most successful exhibitor of Lights ever. (Keep in mind they are several generations removed, but the genetics are there if you wanted to breed to the standard.) She advertises in the Poultry Press or PM if interested and I'll get her phone number for you. I think she does hatching eggs as well.

 

[Dirt Farmer]

This is an old picture of the same cockerel when he was fairly young that I pulled from an earlier post. Gives you an idea of what you get. By the way they are way more expensive than hatchery birds, but I thought it was worth it.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Thanks, Tammy. I ordered from MPC. I"m not just in this for the eggs. It's also for the pure fun of having chickens, that's why I'm wondering about the personalities of supposed hatchery Brahma's,and concerned if they're as friendly as their breeder counterparts.

I have hatchery Brahmas and they are all friendly. I however dont spend time with mine so they aren't like a dog that will come hop on my lap but when I catch them and hold them they never try to peck at me or anything and just sit calmly as the kids pass them around. They are like any other animal. The way to their heart is trough thier "stomachs." They are not flighty at all like the leghorns my grandma always had. I was terrified of them. I do have a rooster that is too ornry to be around my toddler but anyone over 4' is fine. (he is a cochin/brahma cross)

 

[Curly Beard]

I am curious about Light Brahmas how many hens to a rooster in a small flock . I know it will depend on the rooster but i'm looking for a ballpark figure , for some breeds it can be as high as 12 or 15 hens to a rooster and a lot lower ratio for other breeds . I'm trying to make a rough guess on how small a flock i could keep and still have a rooster and hatch my own chicks under a broody hen starting around 6 or 8 hens

 

[Vickis Girls]

I once got some started LF Lights from Chickens in the Garden (Darlene Hobbs). As a group they were the most docile strain of any breed I've ever kept. One cockerel was a very personable chicken (the one in my avatar). She is a well known breeder of bantams and her LF originally came from perhaps the most successful exhibitor of Lights ever. (Keep in mind they are several generations removed, but the genetics are there if you wanted to breed to the standard.) She advertises in the Poultry Press or PM if interested and I'll get her phone number for you. I think she does hatching eggs as well.

Thanks for the info, I've actually been touch with Darlene since I joined BYC. She's a wonderful person! She has given me some valuable info, for which I'm grateful, and I will feel honored to keep a few of her chickens.
Thanks again for your response, Vicki

 

[Vickis Girls]

I am curious about Light Brahmas how many hens to a rooster in a small flock . I know it will depend on the rooster but i'm looking for a ballpark figure , for some breeds it can be as high as 12 or 15 hens to a rooster and a lot lower ratio for other breeds . I'm trying to make a rough guess on how small a flock i could keep and still have a rooster and hatch my own chicks under a broody hen starting around 6 or 8 hens

I'm curious too. I had hoped a 6:1 ratio would work, because I don't want a dozen chickens, but I really do want the "cock-a-doodle-dooooo"

 

[Dirt Farmer]

The cock to hen ratio depends on how important egg fertility is to you. As a general rule a single large breed cock can handle six or eight hens in his prime. Add more hens and he will not get around to all of them. Younger cockerels and old cocks past their prime will have less success. Keeping multiple cocks in a small flock can lead to bickering. Larger flocks can handle multiple cocks if the dominate one will allow the others to breed with hens that he doesn't favor. Serious breeders breed from pairs or trios. Not only is fertility better but they are selecting for traits. As far as the crowing goes. My limited experience is that if kept together, the dominate cock is fairly much the designated crower. The others not so much. When I've gotten rid of the crower, the next in line takes his place and becomes the crower. Just on observation with small numbers of cocks. The good news is that as a rule the Asiatics aren't nearly as noisy as most other breeds.