Brahma Thread

[Dirt Farmer]

I suppose I should share what my end goal is, then maybe I can get some more focused advise.  I would like to see our 4-H groups in the area branch out into meat chickens for showing as well as laying chickens.  Our state only outlawed rooster fighting a few years ago, so most of the stock that is around for the kids to raise for the fair are from that game stock.  They make great parents and they lay a lot of eggs, which is great, but there are more uses for chickens than fighting and egg laying.  The only other supply of chickens for these kids are from TSC, which again, are good chickens for egg laying but our local store does not generally carry anything except RIRs, Leghorns and maybe some Barred Rocks.  On the other hand, if your kid wants to raise sheep, goats, pigs or a steer, there is an ample supply of breeders that bring in good stock for sale.

I'd like to get some of the kids more interested in chickens and I think that I can do that by having a beautiful breed that is easy to handle and easy to raise.  With the beautiful feathering that Brahmas have, with the proper care and showmanship, the kids should be able to do well with this breed.  Honestly, I was debating between Wyandottes and Brahmas, but Brahma is easier to spell...just kidding, they had all of the traits that I was looking for in a chicken.

The great thing is that here in NM, it is rare for a community to outlaw having chickens in the backyard.  I just think that chickens could open the door for more of the "city" kids (we're talking a town of about 25,000) to be able to participate, 4H and FFA are huge here but so many kids don't have enough room to raise a lamb or a pig.  So, that is my end goal, to try to get more kids interested in showing chickens for 4H and FFA.  I have a plan of attack, but I need to make sure that the stock that I'm putting out there is top quality,  even if the colors are not standard for the regular chicken shows.  I need chickens with the personality and feathering to be able to show well with the proper care and I've decided that the Brahma is the one.  I think they are also a chicken that the kids can fall in love with, which will help me with my goal.

So, in a nutshell, I'm trying to brainwash a bunch of little kids to love chickens as I do!

I wish you luck with your project and think you are correct in that it needs to be a chicken for which you and the kids have enthusiasm. I'm drawn to the Gold or Partridge Brahma myself. Having said that, I'm on my second attempt. Partridge birds are not easy to breed. Partridge type Brahmas are in their infancy in this country, and not close in quality to say Light Brahmas. Choosing one of the standard colors would be easier, but if the Partridge are what have your interest, join the American Brahma Club if you haven't already. Try to hook up with the handful of people who have the best available stock. They are generally no more, if not less, expensive than some of the others, and will save you feeding a bunch of birds with no future.

 

[Sjisty]

Young blue partridge rooster.




Blue partridge pullets.


You can see the difference in coloration as soon as they start feathering.

Young gold partridge pullet

Cockerel

 

[ocap]

I suppose I should share what my end goal is, then maybe I can get some more focused advise. I would like to see our 4-H groups in the area branch out into meat chickens for showing as well as laying chickens. Our state only outlawed rooster fighting a few years ago, so most of the stock that is around for the kids to raise for the fair are from that game stock. They make great parents and they lay a lot of eggs, which is great, but there are more uses for chickens than fighting and egg laying. The only other supply of chickens for these kids are from TSC, which again, are good chickens for egg laying but our local store does not generally carry anything except RIRs, Leghorns and maybe some Barred Rocks. On the other hand, if your kid wants to raise sheep, goats, pigs or a steer, there is an ample supply of breeders that bring in good stock for sale.

I'd like to get some of the kids more interested in chickens and I think that I can do that by having a beautiful breed that is easy to handle and easy to raise. With the beautiful feathering that Brahmas have, with the proper care and showmanship, the kids should be able to do well with this breed. Honestly, I was debating between Wyandottes and Brahmas, but Brahma is easier to spell...just kidding, they had all of the traits that I was looking for in a chicken.

The great thing is that here in NM, it is rare for a community to outlaw having chickens in the backyard. I just think that chickens could open the door for more of the "city" kids (we're talking a town of about 25,000) to be able to participate, 4H and FFA are huge here but so many kids don't have enough room to raise a lamb or a pig. So, that is my end goal, to try to get more kids interested in showing chickens for 4H and FFA. I have a plan of attack, but I need to make sure that the stock that I'm putting out there is top quality, even if the colors are not standard for the regular chicken shows. I need chickens with the personality and feathering to be able to show well with the proper care and I've decided that the Brahma is the one. I think they are also a chicken that the kids can fall in love with, which will help me with my goal.

So, in a nutshell, I'm trying to brainwash a bunch of little kids to love chickens as I do!

I bought from Mr. Duane Urch in Minnesota. His flocks are better than most and I am happy with my australorp large fowl purchase. I am considering his dark brahma large fowl early next year. He has stopped raising buff brahma large fowl (last I heard). Cost was $193 for 25 chicks including shipping.

 

[bumpercarr]

Females are what is called penciled, a series of fine light and dark lacing on each feather. Males should have a solid dark(black or blue in this case) belly/chest red/gold on rest of body.

This link will show you some examples, many non US birds shown here as well. Partridge and dark Brahmas are actually the same pattern. Partridge gold based, dark silver based.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Brahma/BRKBrahma.html

The chick that I think is a cockerel doesn't show that kind of coloring, do you suppose he is a she? I was assuming he was a he because he is feathering out so slow and its comb is slightly (only slightly) redder than the other. Perhaps the coloring that I see on him now is his underlayer of feathers and he will color out as he gets older?

 

[Dirt Farmer]

You've sexed them correctly. The male Partridge always looks a mess until about 5 months old, then you can start seeing the proper color pattern developing. I'll see if I have any pictures at various ages.

 

[Dirt Farmer]

You've sexed them correctly. The male Partridge always looks a mess until about 5 months old, then you can start seeing the proper color pattern developing. I'll see if I have any pictures at various ages.

 

[LaLa Chickie]

This is probably a stupid question, but are all Brahmas noisy? I have my general flock of 6 layers and hatched out two brahmas (the breed I've always wanted) about 7 weeks ago. The chicks never stop chirping, I swear they even chirp in their sleep! I don't mind too much, just wanted to know if this is normal or whether my youngsters are "needy".

The chicks were broody raised, so they've always been with the flock. My plan is to get a few more brahmas and focus on breeding/raising them in a separate pen. Any ideas or suggestions are very welcome.

I love my Brahmas, most of all...LaLa's honking is hysterical ...ChaCha hardly ever talks, so I think it's just that LaLa is the most personable. Maybe if I get more some day they will be more yacky!

 

[QuoVadis]

I also love my Brahmas, but are they typically aggressive to smaller chickens? We had ours in a large flock, so it was hard to tell, but I need to know, because now we live in the city and can only get a few chickens, and the brahma would be with some banties. I know the ones we had didn't get picked ON, but weren't the main aggressors either. Also, is there any difference in temperament or egg laying ability between the color varieties? I have only had dark and light, and both the dark Brahmas I had were noticeably more aloof than my lovely light Brahma. Was this just chance or are light Brahmas the nicer? What about buff? I have never had any of them, but they are my favorite, looks-wise. Also, how to the bantams compare in temprament and egg laying ability? (obviously less, and smaller eggs, but im sure they eat much less too! Do they also lay well through the winter?) Lots of questions thanks for any help!

 

[bumpercarr]

You've sexed them correctly. The male Partridge always looks a mess until about 5 months old, then you can start seeing the proper color pattern developing. I'll see if I have any pictures at various ages.

No kidding. He looks like a grenade went off next to him!

 

[LaLa Chickie]

I also love my Brahmas, but are they typically aggressive to smaller chickens? We had ours in a large flock, so it was hard to tell, but I need to know, because now we live in the city and can only get a few chickens, and the brahma would be with some banties. I know the ones we had didn't get picked ON, but weren't the main aggressors either. Also, is there any difference in temperament or egg laying ability between the color varieties? I have only had dark and light, and both the dark Brahmas I had were noticeably more aloof than my lovely light Brahma. Was this just chance or are light Brahmas the nicer? What about buff? I have never had any of them, but they are my favorite, looks-wise. Also, how to the bantams compare in temprament and egg laying ability? (obviously less, and smaller eggs, but im sure they eat much less too! Do they also lay well through the winter?) Lots of questions thanks for any help!

I wan t to get some dark brahmas, I only have light. Mine are so sweet, they don't have an aggressive behavior 'ever'... very mellow!