Why do I feel like there's something y'all are not tellng me:brahmas

[gritsar]

Hey y'all, I'm just curious. When I asked specific questions about brahmas y'all were good enough to give me your unbiased opinion and what I read was all good feedback. Yet I noticed that when someone asks what's a good breed for beginners, brahmas are never (maybe almost never) mentioned. Why is that? At this point I have pretty much made up my mind based on the questions I've asked that I want brahmas, but is there some reason why a first timer shouldn't consider them; i.e., what are y'all hiding from me? *suspicious glare*

P.S. I haven't asked this question right out, but from what I've read I believe they will do well with our hot summers, correct? I know for sure they do well with winter.

Edited: I did read somewhere on the forum that brahmas have attitudes ('tudes as we call them in the South), but I love my critters that have 'tudes; it keeps me on my toes.

 

[seedcorn]

It depends on what you want out of a breed. Most first timers want dual purpose. Brahma's are not a good dual purpose. Egg laying is not great, meat birds are not great; breeds like RIR, Rocks and few others meet those standards better.

 

[Picco]

Brahmas are great! It was my first breed choice and I was very happy with them. They aren't the best layers but they do lay huge eggs and lay throughout the winter better than most breeds. In my experience they are the best tempered chickens; very calm and friendly. I no longer have brahmas but now that I have plenty of space i am planning on getting more in the spring. My first hen was as friendly as a dog and was a wonderful pet.

Its so hard to recommend a beginner breed because there are so many to choose from. I can't think of any reason why not to recommend this breed.

 

[speckledhen]

Nothing wrong with Brahmas. I have a Lt Brahma and a Buff Brahma girl. Mine are a bit more skittish about being picked up and petted than some people describe, but they are very good layers. They won't be a year old till February, so their eggs are still in the medium to large range, almost like golfballs in shape, but they lay almost every single day without fail.

 

[kstaven]

Brahmas are different in some ways. Typically not what you would call a real PET chicken. But they do average a large egg every second day all year round. Where other breeds lay well in the summer and then hardly lay a thing in the winter.

That has been my experience with Dark Brahmas.

 

[gritsar]

Ah, okay. So if basically what I want is a chicken that has the potential to be a real good pet, especially with all the time I have to devote to them, and a happy consequence of having them is that I'll get some eggs for the family, brahmas are still a good choice. Thanks.

 

[silkiechicken]

Also brahamas may be harder to get for a first timer and don't they have feathered legs?

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I can't think of anything negative to say about Brahma's! My younger daughter has the Buff Brahma’s & they are gorgeous ((a few people around here have put in request for chick in the spring already)) Very friendly, come running as soon as I step out the door! Also my 12 year old walks around with them like rag dolls and they are fine with that they love her!

When someone asks me what they should start with & they want friendly, good egg layer& will maybe eat down the road I say go for a Plymouth Rock because I believe they are every one of those things & he has clean legs ((from what I found is you either like feather feet or don’t))

My absolute favorite is Cochins

(((most are not wonderful egg layers there are some)) I have Bantams & these are my lap chickens they will sit on my lap for hours if I let them!
So, I have been looking for someone who breeds them & so I know what mom lays a week I want 3 times a week! If you order ((& that is were most people start)) you might get a good layer but, probably not!!!

If you ask me what breed makes the best pet I will probably tell you a Cochin! All of this is a personal thing though & each person has a different opinion.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

Brahma chickens were brought over from China in the 1850's. The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl. I have one currently, I now have 16 chickens the brahma I bought with 3 other chickens which are now 4 months old and it is the smallest of them all but will grow into the largest. They are a beautiful bird.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

They do have feathered legs, but it's not heavy feathering.