Brahma Thread

[Bob W [FL]]

I almost a newbie, no chickens yet (not even ordered). After reading way to many discussions I have decided that I want Brahma's.
I plan on free ranging them on about a half acre that is fenced with four foot field fence.

I posting this here in the Brahma thread so I get first hand info from Brahma owners. I have many questions and I'm sure I'll have many more.

I'm under the impression that Brahmas can’t or will not fly over the four foot fence is this correct? I understand there will always be exceptions.

What is a good size for the coops pop door for Brahmas?

What size nest boxes and height from floor?

Best roost height from floor? Since they don’t /can’t fly I assume a ladder/ramp will be required.

I plan on using nipple water system. What height do they need to be from the floor when the Brahmas of full grown.

I’m in central Florida near Orlando. The coop and much of the area they will free range in is in partial to full shade.

I have searched for answers to these questions and since the answers come from all sorts of discussions they answers vary. That is why I have asked here.

Thanks
Bob

 

[granites2001]

I have brahmas, Lights, darks and Buffs. They don't fly too far as they are heavy when mature, but my fence is 6 feet and if they can ge up on anything they will. I can tell you this....these are the most beautiful birds and very calm by nature....My roos do not fight amongst each other or the other birds.....This is why I love them...They are so docile, yet they are good layers....I had a mixed flock for many years and hatched eggs as such and 90 percent of my chicks had the feathered feet....Just a great all around bird and very docile and sweet. They don't tend to want to get out of the pen, but we free range when we are home.....If they can ge up on something where they can get out....they will....Just like most other breeds!

Lisa

 

[Summer98]

I'm a newbie too. The brahma really appeals to me also. I keep changing my mind on how many I want to order. I'm currently thinking 11 brahmas, 12 EE, and 2 australorps. But maybe I should do a few less EE and a few more brahma? Oh the decisions...

I would also like to know what size pop door people use for the brahmas. I think we made ours too small (I think we made it 12'').

 

[Illia]

If you're ordering Brahmas from a hatchery, my advice is to not worry too much about the size of the door, nesting boxes, etc. Hatchery Brahmas are hardly if at all any bigger than other hens. When we first got some, we ordered a good handful along with many other breeds, and honestly, we didn't need to make any adjustments. Our field fence is the normal 4 feet tall, our boxes are average to large size (the large ones for the non-hatchery Brahmas, Marans, and Sussex) and the door, well, is a normal walk-in door.

Now if you plan to get Brahmas you KNOW will be the standard weight and size, I'd suggest shooting for a little bigger. I haven't measured anything of mine though so I can't say precise numbers.

 

[granites2001]

The EE's tend to be aggressive when they are mature....in my experience. The Australorps another great breed...very docile and great layers......I do have some Ameracana's who lay the green eggs, but my True Araucana's and my Brahmas are the best!

Lisa

 

[granites2001]

Illia, My brahmas are very large....Must larger than my other hens. I do agree that you don't need to worry about the size of the door, as long as their shoulders go through...they do...They are very sweet and inventive....lol....Great breed

 

[Summer98]

Is the consensus that hatchery Brahmas are bred for higher egg production and not size? Are they trying to breed them more as egg layers and not a meat breed, would you say?

 

[granites2001]

That is not what I believe as my Brahma's are Huge....I have buff boy who is just huge.....I also have a dark boy who I bought from a breeder and he is huge............He may end up being the biggest boy I've ever had..............He is not from a hatchery, but my buff is and he is HUMONGUOUS...........Very very pretty and still with the sweet atttitude I have always had with my guys................My hens lay a lot though....I mean daily

 

[aceschix]

Nope, I do not agree either.
When I started with chickens I ordered 2 of everything I liked from a hatchery. 2 of those 24 were Light Brahmas.

Then a couple years later an old farmer about 10 miles away who new my Grandad decided he could no longer handle the farm. He gave me a flock of 16 Light Brahmas that he had been breeding for 20+ years on the farm. Now these were HUGE birds and they still are. But those hatchery birds were the same size. No noticeable difference in size at all.

I say you may need to plan in such a way that you could change sizes if you needed to.

 

[granites2001]

I agree...aceaschix

Lisa