LIGHT BRAHMA CHICK question

[radiodog]

I've had the chick since 3/29/10...along with 4 other chicks. It is smaller than the other chicks (EE, sussex and andalusian), not as feathered out and has only three 1/4" tail feathers. Its a very lively chick...no problems that I can see except for the lack of feathers. Should I be concerned? Thanks

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Sounds like you might have a roo. Can you post pics?

 

[MissJenny]

Mine arrived April 19 as a "day old" (I suspect they were a couple of days old) -- my Light Brahma is right in the middle of the pack for development. I have some EE's who are bigger, a couple of cochin who are smaller and one Barred Rock who is the very same size and about equally feathered out. I am told that Brahma develop more slowly... I don't really know. Do you have a photo?

Jenny

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed.

 

[sonjab314]

According to Purely Poultry:


Characteristics: Light Brahma Characteristics Good Brahmas are beautiful, stately birds. Their large size and gentle nature combined with intricate color patterns makes them favorites for the country estate. The Brahma's appearance in the showroom never fails to command the admiration of one and all. These qualities have made them a favorite with showmen and fanciers. Brahmas do go broody and are fairly good mothers. Their small comb and wattles, together with profuse feathering and well feathered shanks and toes enable them to stand cold temperatures very well. The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl.

Hope this helps.

 

[pgpoultry]

Yes, Brahma cockerels are slow to feather and have shorter wing feather.....but.....it DOES depend on having a hen to compare with. Light Brahmas show their sexual characteristics earlier than any of the other Brahma types, so hopefully it will become apparent pretty soon.

On a positive note ( and if you don't want boys) they crow and tread very late (6 months or so) and yes, they are very beautiful.
Sandie

 

[Kerilou]

I just got my chicks on Sunday, and got 6 girls and 1 roo (lt brahmas)...they are so cute with their tiny hairy feet!! My 14 yo son picked out this breed, and already has the rooster named.. It seems quite obvious to us (maybe we don't know what we are talking about) which one is the male, and which are the females..he seems a lot bigger and a bit different colors...kind of paler colors? Do you think we are right?
Keri

 

[ParrotsNPullets]

Congratulations on your Brahma, I love them to pieces! Brahmas definitely lag behind most other chicks as far as feather development, as well as size. Even as a pullet it took mine several months to overtake the others in size.

As pullets around the same age my Brahma was just barely smaller than my Delaware, and now she's our biggest gal! We have a Dark Brahma bantam chick now that is about the same size as our D'uccles but only has tiny little wing feather stumps whereas the D'Uccles have fully feathered wings/feet and tails.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
This may be very different with hatchery quality birds. My light brahma boy crowed at 10 weeks old (DH thought the dog was choking

) and he started trying to mate the pullets the same week.

 

[MotherJean]

I'm a big fan of the Brahmas, too. They have such a calm, sweet nature and beautiful to look at - my first experience with feathered legs/feet. I have 6 Lights now 7 weeks. All still have some down on heads and necks, but bodies are pretty well feathered. I can't make a comparison because I only have the one breed, but their development seems pretty normal to me. Certainly hardy little girls. Their bodies were pretty well feathered at 4 weeks of age. They went to the locked-down outside coop for a week and I turned them loose in the run at 5 weeks in cool (50-60 degree) temps. Heat in the coop, but they prefer to spend their days outside in the run, so long as it isn't raining.