Today we’re going to talk about one of my favorite breeds. Who am I kidding! I feel like all the breeds are my favorite! Haha! Except maybe not Wyandottes. I haven’t had a great experience with that breed. However, we’re not talking about the other breeds today. Today, it’s all about Brahmas!
Reba and Barbara Jean are 2 of my Buff Brahma Bantams
Picking out chickens is super exciting and fun. A lot of backyard chicken keepers choose their breeds according to egg production, temperament, and if they’re cold or heat hearty. Some may choose smaller breeds if they have a smaller set up, or they may have a wide variety if they have more space. I have 18 different breeds of chickens, so there’s never a dull moment in our coop! The yard is speckled with beautiful feathers and the egg basket is the same. I love a variety of egg colors and our chickens are our pets, so I want them to be docile. Those are the two qualities I look for first.
Big Momma is my largest chicken in the coop and is a Dark Brahma
If you’re looking for a sweet, affectionate, hearty chicken, look no further than the Brahma! They are gentle giants and are excellent egg layers. There are also Brahma Bantams and they are so sweet and docile. I own 3 Buff Brahma Bantams and 1 Light Brahma, 1 Dark Brahma, and 1 Buff Brahma. Their personalities are so similar even though their size is much different.
My Buff Brahma’s feathered foot is huge!
According to Wikipedia, the Brahma is an American breed of chicken. It was developed in the United States from birds imported from the Chinese port of Shanghai and was the principal American meat breed from the 1850’s until about 1930.
Blanche is my Light Brahma and she is gorgeous!
Now, backyard flock owners will use the Brahma for both meat and egg production. In the Wingnest, we use them strictly for egg production. They have large brown eggs and they will lay 150-200 eggs a year. Because Brahmas are known to be gentle, they make great pets! One of our Bantams will follow me around until I pick her up. She is so sweet and wonderful.
Reba is the sweetest gal in the coop! She follows us everywhere until we hold her!
The Brahma has a pea comb and a thick, dense layer of down making them ideal for cold weather climates. They have feathered feet and are a fairly quiet breed. Because of their larger size, they do need a bit more space and larger nesting boxes than your average sized chicken. They get along great with other breeds and are a fun addition to the flock.
Brahmas have gained popularity after that picture of the giant Light Brahma Rooster circulated through social media. I have never seen one in person that size, but my Brahma hens are the biggest in our coop. We have Jersey Giants as well, and my Brahma’s give them a run for their money in the size department. I feel like as chicks, they were more hearty as well due to their size.
If you’re scrolling through chick catalogs and are wondering what to add to your flock this spring, I’d highly recommend these gentle giants or sweet Bantams. All 6 of our Brahmas have excellent temperaments and are great egg layers! And the fact that they come in different colors allows for a pretty landscape in your backyard.
Until next time,
–The Wing Lady