Buff and Light Brahmas

[CLUCKING CHICKENS]

I have two each of the Light Brahma and Buff Brahma chicks to add into my flock. Picked them up Yesterday from the post office. There was 6 other chicks in the box but these immediately stood out. I did not select these since I purchased a hatchery choice variety pack but it is a interesting surprise. I live in Oregon and am not sure how well suited this breed is to my climate. I have read that they are extremely cold hardy but struggle in the heat. I have done the rare breed variety pack through Tractor Supply online before and I received 3 Light Brahmas in that bunch which I ended up giving away since I wasn’t sure they would fit the flock goals I was aiming for. Now that these arrived I am thinking maybe they are worth a try.

 

[CLUCKING CHICKENS]

We had several Brahmas, Buff and Light, and they were awesome. We let them go for one full laying season, then processed them for the freezer. I don’t know what the average weights were, but I can tell you that there was a lot more meat on them than on something like an Orpington, which is often touted as a good dual purpose breed.

The only one we didn’t process was Tank. She was a Light Brahma, best buddies with our English Setter. We called them “bookends”. She was so friendly and gentle. She was always the first to greet the chicks as they came out of the brooder every morning, never harming so much as a bit of peach-fuzz on them.

Our littlest granddaughter Kendra has been in her wheelchair since she was 9 months old. I was her full time day-care provider. She loved the chickens, so we’d take her out when they were free-ranging. One day when Kendra was about 4, Tank flew at her. Because Kendra was so closely supervised, I manage to deflect Tank like a football player deflecting a pass. But Tank kept it up every time we took Kendra out. So one day I picked her up and put her in Kendra’s lap. She snuggled right down, despite Kendra’s excited flapping and giggling. Then Kendra took Tank for a ride. It became a routine. I have always regretted not getting a photo of that, but when Kendra was outside with the chickens my focus was on her and making sure she was safe, not on taking pictures.

if I ever get chickens again - which is not likely - you can absolutely bet there will be Brahmas. They did amazingly well in our wild Wyoming winters. The area we live in is semi-desert, so it gets super hot and dry in summer. They weren’t as comfortable in summer, but some common sense cooling methods for the whole mixed flock did just as well for them. They were, however, a little clumsy in the nesting boxes simply because I hadn’t taken into account how big they would be, I’m sure you’re going to be thrilled with your Brahma assortment - and I confess to a bit of jealously!

View attachment 2949604
Tank supervising as the Silkie chicks leave the brooder for the day. She did this every morning.

This is such an uplifting story, thank you for sharing it with me. Definitely helps me appreciate my little Brahmas a bit more and I really hope I have a little “Tank” in my mix.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Brahmas do fine with both cold and heat. The challenge with them, as with any feather-footed breed, is mud. Keep them in an environment where they won't get mud or ice caked on their foot feathers and they'll delight you with their stately beauty.

 

[Blooie]

We had several Brahmas, Buff and Light, and they were awesome. We let them go for one full laying season, then processed them for the freezer. I don’t know what the average weights were, but I can tell you that there was a lot more meat on them than on something like an Orpington, which is often touted as a good dual purpose breed.

The only one we didn’t process was Tank. She was a Light Brahma, best buddies with our English Setter. We called them “bookends”. She was so friendly and gentle. She was always the first to greet the chicks as they came out of the brooder every morning, never harming so much as a bit of peach-fuzz on them.

Our littlest granddaughter Kendra has been in her wheelchair since she was 9 months old. I was her full time day-care provider. She loved the chickens, so we’d take her out when they were free-ranging. One day when Kendra was about 4, Tank flew at her. Because Kendra was so closely supervised, I manage to deflect Tank like a football player deflecting a pass. But Tank kept it up every time we took Kendra out. So one day I picked her up and put her in Kendra’s lap. She snuggled right down, despite Kendra’s excited flapping and giggling. Then Kendra took Tank for a ride. It became a routine. I have always regretted not getting a photo of that, but when Kendra was outside with the chickens my focus was on her and making sure she was safe, not on taking pictures.

if I ever get chickens again - which is not likely - you can absolutely bet there will be Brahmas. They did amazingly well in our wild Wyoming winters. The area we live in is semi-desert, so it gets super hot and dry in summer. They weren’t as comfortable in summer, but some common sense cooling methods for the whole mixed flock did just as well for them. They were, however, a little clumsy in the nesting boxes simply because I hadn’t taken into account how big they would be, I’m sure you’re going to be thrilled with your Brahma assortment - and I confess to a bit of jealously!

Tank supervising as the Silkie chicks leave the brooder for the day. She did this every morning.

 

[CLUCKING CHICKENS]

Also, Happy NewYear to everyone! Wishing the best to you and yours.

 

[CLUCKING CHICKENS]

Surprise today as I was checking in on my new chicks and I noticed that the dark one that I originally believed to be a EE had feathered legs and feet. Turned out to be a dark Brahma. Looks like TCS hooked me up with the complete set of Brahmas in this rare breed variety mix. Two Light Brahmas, Two Buff Brahmas, and one Dark Brahma. A nice way to kick off the NewYear.

 

[CLUCKING CHICKENS]

Forgot to add a picture showing the newly identified Dark Brahma with the other Brahmas.

 

[3KillerBs]

Surprise today as I was checking in on my new chicks and I noticed that the dark one that I originally believed to be a EE had feathered legs and feet. Turned out to be a dark Brahma. Looks like TCS hooked me up with the complete set of Brahmas in this rare breed variety mix. Two Light Brahmas, Two Buff Brahmas, and one Dark Brahma. A nice way to kick off the NewYear.

Ooh! IMO, Dark Brahmas are the most beautiful of all hens.

 

[tripletfeb]

My light brahma just got done with a very slow molt and started laying again. Good to see her eggs back in the basket! It's funny though, she's my biggest bird but lays the smallest egg

 

[Kelsykin]

Brahmas do well in the heat and the cold. Mud is not their friend. Most feather-footed breeds do not do well with the mud. I have Brahmas and Faverolles in my flock and they tend to be the ones I wash their feet when we have a ton of rain. The mud will cake to the feathers around their feet.