Brahmas body condition

[RACHELLE85]

I am new to Brahmas we got a trio at auction a few months ago I think they’re 9-12 months don’t have any pics of them but they are laying good but they don’t seem very tall yet. When do they become noticeable taller? I know they’re slow to grow but I just hoping these aren’t cast always which I know usually are at auction but I love their personality.

So I am considering getting some more primarily for meat birds temperament and egg. But I’m not sure if I’d rather have Marans. As I pick the birds up they’re all bone in breast and keel. I have them on full feed for the time I’ve owned them big v game bird feed but still so thin....someone told me a bird won’t get much bigger after they start laying? But I’ve also heard it takes two years for brahmas to come to size?(I found some pics from when we first got them)

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

It’s possible they’re not hatchery birds. Which means they won’t be as big and full as breeder birds. These are my dark Brahmas I got a TSC and they’re big at all the same size as the rest of my birds.

 

[RACHELLE85]

It’s possible they’re not hatchery birds. Which means they won’t be as big and full as breeder birds. These are my dark Brahmas I got a TSC and they’re big at all the same size as the rest of my birds.

How old are your birds?

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

How old are your birds?

Almost a year old. Bought at TSC in march 2019.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

But I’m not sure if I’d rather have Marans. As I pick the birds up they’re all bone in breast and keel. I have them on full feed for the time I’ve owned them big v game bird feed but still so thin....someone told me a bird won’t get much bigger after they start laying?

I will start by saying I love the Marans. Them and Wyandottes both made for good (tasty and growth time )meat birds. Brahma were just WAY to slow growing for me.

Big V is just a brand name... Brahma are chickens, not game birds... how much protein in that feed? Sometimes game bird feeds have more amino acids... which is the only reason I can see using it over chicken feed. My personal preference for dual purpose birds is 20% protein feed with oyster shell on the side.

Most birds do get close to their full frame size during the first 6 ish months and then their body will fill in mature... just like humans reach their height and frame size by their teen age years and muscles fill in throughout their 20's. Any bird that has to go much longer than 6 months... is to ME, not a good meat bird. But no, if they are 9-12 months, I don't believe they will be getting much taller though they will likely gain another pound or so throughout the next year... and that's true for ALL breeds... noting the different weight between pullet/cockerel (under 1 year old) SOP and Hen/Cock (over 1 year).

Please note that to me... free range equals thinner/leaner birds always. Looking at his spurs and feather development/ratiness... I would say he's not nearly as old as you might be thinking?? And those look like barely maturing birds to me... MAYBE 9 months.

Also, consider doing a fecal float to check if indeed there is ANY parasite load and be sure to treat with the correct wormer IF NEEDED as this can have heavy impact on performance/condition. Also do a skin check to look for any angry redness. Everything should be standard flesh color if you see angry skin... treatment for external parasites may be called for.

Please note I only raised 3 (breeder sourced) Brahma so far and these suggestions are according to my experience, not with focus on breeding them to any standard... they just weren't the bird for me.