The Dark Brahma chicken is known as the noble giant of your chicken cage.
This bird is noted for its remarkable size and classy look, and regardless of its hulking size, it will be the most amicable bird in your chicken cage.
A timeless American chicken breed, the Dark Brahma chicken, is a favorite breed among enthusiasts and breeders alike, laying an abundant variety of brown eggs.
These birds are easy to tame and enjoyable to raise, making them the breed you must raise in your backyard chicken cage.
Here is a detailed introduction of everything you need to learn about this famous bird.
The Background & Origin of Dark Brahma Chickens
There is considerable debate over the precise origins of the Brahma chicken. However, it is commonly accepted that these birds were bred in the United States from large birds with greatly feathered legs.
The latter breeds were most likely imported in the 1840s from the Chinese port of Shanghai and were described mainly as Shanghai birds.
These Shanghai birds were most likely bred with Grey Chittagong chickens of Malay origins, which granted the Brahma unique pea comb and head shapes.
Originally, there were lots of various names and strains of this chicken breed, creating the development of the Brahmapootra breed in 1852. It was then shortened to Brahma.
Starting in the 1850s until about 1930, the Brahma chicken was the main breed for meat production in the United States.
This was because early risers were large, with roosters weighing approximately 18 pounds in many cases!
The earliest variations of the Brahma chicken, which were the light Brahma chicken and dark Brahma chicken versions, were introduced in the Standard of Perfection for the American Poultry Association in 1874. The Buff version was included in the 1920s.
Today, this breed, which the American Poultry Association formally acknowledges, is recognized as a heritage breed.
The Livestock Conservancy acknowledges them as “recovering,” for a long period, dropping from reputation, but experiencing a renewal in development as they become more popular with backyard chicken keepers.
Look & Characteristics of Dark Brahma Chickens
While there will be some variation among the breeds, some basic resemblances in the breed’s look.
Size
Dark Brahma chickens are rather big. However, there is a misunderstanding that they are huge compared to other birds in a flock.
While this holds true, they will not have the ability to control their own versus a group of ostriches anytime soon!
Though big, with some breed members growing as high as 30 inches, this enormous growth pattern is remarkably unusual and relies on extremely particular breeding schemes.
Dark Brahma chickens are undoubtedly big, however not quite so ridiculously so.
Typically, Dark Brahma chickens will be more variable in size, varying from 8 to about 18 inches in height.
You can also acquire bantam Brahma breeds that are about 6 inches high.
Usually, these birds will reach about 12 pounds for roosters and 10 pounds for hens.
Colors
There are three colors of Brahmas you can choose from when you are breeding your flock.
Each of these three colors is formally acknowledged and consists of Light, Buff, and Dark.
These birds have plumes on their toes and shanks in addition to beautiful pea combs. Their plumage is smooth and consists of thick down all over the body.
They also have a wide, broad head with a skull that sits out over the eyes.
If you buy a light Brahma, it will have a base color of white with black and white feathers and a black tail.
The roosters of this breed will have black stripes on their saddle plumes.
The Dark Brahma chicken shows the best distinctions between hens and roosters, with a dark gray hen and a black rooster.
The Dark Brahma chicken will also have White-shouldered wings and main plumes that are edged with white.
The Buff Brahma resembles the light Brahma. However, it has a golden buff base color instead of one that is white.
There are also rarer Brahma variants that you can find. While they aren’t mostly accepted in the United States, the Australian Poultry Association acknowledges partridge, blue, black, crele, and barred versions of Brahma.
What Is It Like to Own a Dark Brahma Chicken?
Once again, each Brahma chicken will have a somewhat various character depending upon its attitude.
Here are some basic, typically shared qualities.
Character
Dark Brahma chickens are extremely friendly and can be trained to take comfort in the association of human beings.
All you need to do is feed them great deals of rewards, and they’ll crawl right into your hand for a cuddle or a snack.
These birds are quiet and docile and agree on other types of chickens, too.
Even the Dark Brahma chicken roosters are serene and not as most likely to assault human beings or other birds as those from other breeds.
Dark Brahma chickens are magnificent and sophisticated in their temperaments. They stand upright and appear to form a V when they are standing.
Roosters tend to be taller than hens. Both genders have strong feet and even more powerful posture.
Dark Brahma chickens, even roosters, tend to be extremely peaceful, making them a great option for a city or rural setting.
Broodiness of Dark Brahma Chicken
Brahma hens hardly ever end up being broody. However, this depends upon the individual hen, as it finishes with all breeds of chickens.
What’s essential to concede is that Dark Brahma hens are most likely to display broody habits if another hen has gone broody, causing a copycat pattern that can rapidly spread out among your whole flock.
If your Dark Brahma hen goes broody, let her hatch her eggs– you can candlelight them to ensure the embryos are developing. Watch on the eggs.
Dark Brahma chickens are so large that they typically mistakenly stomp their eggs or baby chicks once they hatch.
Interactions With Others
Remarkably, Dark Brahma chicken hens tend to be preferred by roosters when they become part of a bigger, blended flock.
In general, Brahma roosters will not be harmful or threatening to your hens.
However, roosters of other types can be, so you must watch on your ladies to make certain the rooster doesn’t injure them.
If your hen starts to lose plumes due to a rooster’s pursuits, feed her a high protein supplement to motivate them to grow back.
Health and Wellbeing of Dark Brahma Chickens
Brahma chickens sometimes set mud balls or fecal balls on their toes. These are not just unhygienic. However, they can be harmful.
Brought on by their extreme foot feathering, these mud balls can trigger the loss of nails or pointers of toes.
Ensure you examine the feet of your Dark Brahma chickens regularly and discard any mud balls you find.
Egg & Meat Yields of Dark Brahma Chickens
If you choose to raise a Brahma chicken, note that it can be raised for numerous purposes.
This breed of chicken stemmed as a meat production breed. It is now regularly raised for egg production as it is so efficient and docile to raise.
The meat of Dark Brahma Chicken
As a meat bird, the Brahma is beyond comparable.
This unusual-looking chicken is remarkably strong, making it enduring in both the summertime and cold weather.
You can butcher a Brahma broiler at about 8 to 10 weeks of age, although they are most rewarding at eight months.
There are even reports of the effective butchering of Brahma roasters at twelve or thirteen months of age without loss of taste.
This is unusual, as the meat of a lot of broiler birds will decrease in quality when the birds have to do with 8 or 9 months old.
Eggs of Dark Brahma Chickens
Raising Brahma hens for meat is among the more typical uses of this stunning chicken.
They lay beautiful brown eggs (in some cases dotted or speckled with white) that are fairly big than those of other types.
The yolks, in particular, are extremely big and excellent for utilizing in cooking or baking.
They are likewise respected layers, offering you about 300 eggs annually or 5 to 6 eggs weekly.
The specific variety of eggs will differ, naturally, depending upon the individual.
However, you can increase the laying capability of your flock of Brahmas by supplying them with safe and secure houses and nesting boxes along with quality layer feed with a minimum of 16 percent protein and lots of calcium.
The majority of chickens do not typically lay throughout the much shorter days of the year unless you offer supplemental light.
Brahma chickens are the exception.
These respected winter season layers produce an excellent quantity of eggs between October and May.
They prosper in winter and merely require correct living conditions to continue laying throughout the cold weather.
Your Brahma hens will likewise require a carefully tuned diet plan with correct parts of the protein to preserve a reputable laying schedule.
These birds normally begin laying at around 6 or 7 months of age.
They aren’t early layers. However, they can rather use up to twelve months to start laying.
This is particularly real if your Brahma hen is big or if she enters into egg-laying age throughout the winter season.
Suitable Living Conditions for Dark Brahma Chickens
Brahma chickens need a reasonable quantity of area due to their size.
They can reside in confinement with other types, nevertheless, having really docile, calm characters.
They do not require to scratch or free-ranging as frequently as other breeds, being extremely laid back. Brahmas are likewise simple to consist of, as they can’t fly low fences quickly.
This is mostly due to the breed’s enormous size and complacency in being housed in confinement.
Brahma chickens were breed for northern environments and are probably the least vulnerable breed to cold and direct exposure.
A lot of breeders recommend that this is because of its pea comb in addition to its tight feathering and comprehensive down.
While it can quickly get too hot in the hot summertime weather condition, you can prevent this by supplying your Brahma chicken with a lot of shade and water throughout the warmer months.
Brahmas remain the healthiest when they are raised in a moist, cool environment.
They likewise require to be housed on dry, well-draining soil to avoid the advancement of the illness.
Because they have plumes on their toes and shanks, the moist or muddy ground can increase the probability of infection or frostbite in winter.
Advantages of Raising Dark Brahma Chickens
There are many advantages to raising Dark Brahma chickens, with possibly the most significant being their capability to:
- Lay up to 300 eggs annually
- Communicate quietly with people and other members of the flock
- Produce high meat yields
- Flourish in confinement with very little free-ranging
- Maybe one of the biggest advantages of raising a Dark Brahma chicken is that these birds are versatile to many environments, implying you can raise a Brahma chicken no matter where you live.
They have thick feathering that makes them rather delicate to hot weather conditions. As long as you do not live in the tropics, you can likely raise healthy Dark Brahma chickens.
Being extremely cold tolerant, with a heavyweight and plume circulation, these birds remain warm in cold temperature levels.
As an included perk, their egg production seldom slows throughout the cold weather, making them an excellent option if you wish to keep a stable supply of eggs when the temperature level drops.
Disadvantages of Raising Dark Brahma Chickens
While there are numerous advantages of raising Brahma chickens, there are a couple of aspects to think about that might deter you from this pursuit.
Slow Maturation of Dark Brahma Chickens
Dark Brahma chickens make excellent meat and egg birds– however, you need to wait on it.
These chickens grow gradually, which is why they are typically ignored as possible backyard chicken breeds.
They will not begin laying eggs till 6 to 7 months of age (compared to 4 or 5 for other types), and they will not be completely grown for the stew pot till they are older, either.
Excessively Friendly Dark Brahma Chicken Roosters
If predators are an issue, a Brahma rooster will not do much to assist you.
These roosters are exceptionally friendly, making them an excellent option if you desire a more docile flock.
They will not safeguard the flock from a pet dog, fox, or hawk.
Big Size of The Dark Brahma Chicken
The size of the Brahma chicken can not be stressed enough.
These birds are jumbo-sized, suggesting they eat a lot, too.
Your feed conversion ratios will not be as rewarding, as they are so sluggish to grow, and it might be challenging to discover areas for them in the chicken run and cage.
Level of sensitivity to Mud of Dark Brahma Chickens
If you have heavy, clay soil, a Brahma chicken may not be for you.
These birds do not hold up well to heavy Mud, because their plumes are so thick.
If you can raise your Brahma chickens in a green yard, you should not have an issue. However, keep the health needs of this chicken in mind before you leap into buying one.
Baby Brahma Chickens: Raising Brahma Chicks
There is little you need to know about raising Brahmas as chicks– they need the same conditions as other young chickens.
If you are hatching your chickens from an incubator, know that these big chickens can take a bit longer to hatch (a couple of hours, for the most part).
Otherwise, the hatching treatments and guidance for raising these birds are the same similar to other breeds.
After they hatch, you will need a unique brooder box with a lot of fresh water and chick starter feed.
This brooder box needs to be at least eighteen inches– greater is much better.
Your chicks will require a minimum of one-half square foot of area for the very first two weeks. However, after the first two weeks, they will increase and need one square foot per bird.
It’s good to build this area ahead of time, so you do not need to move your chicks.
Cover boxes with a screen to eliminate the probability of drafts (and other animals!) entering a box.
You need to supply your birds with a heat light or a heat plate, set at simply under 100 degrees for the very first couple of days, with the temperature level decreasing by about 5 degrees every week till they are ready to go outside.
Is the Dark Brahma Chicken Right for You?
Brahma chickens, like all other chickens, have a fairly long life expectancy.
If you are interested in raising a Dark Brahma chicken as a pet, know that it will likely live for about 5 to 8 years, depending on how well you look after it and whether it is being raised for the production of some sort.
You can extend the life expectancy of your Brahma chicken by offering it quality food, water, shelter, and veterinary care.
Are you prepared to acquire a flock of Dark Brahma chickens?
You can find them at various chicken hatcheries and breeders that deal particularly with this breed, such as Cackle Hatchery, Meyer Hatchery, and more.
You can also acquire a Brahma from a specialized breeder.
Described typically as the King of All Poultry, this chicken breed would make a wonderful addition to your backyard flock.
If you are ready to raise a stunning chicken that can offer you both meat and eggs, the Dark Brahma chicken is the bird you should consider rearing in your backyard flock.
References:
- Brahma Chicken. The Livestock Conservatory. Accessed December 2018.
- George Pickering Burnham (1874). The China Fowl: Shanghae, Cochin, and “Brahma”. Melrose, Massachusetts: Rand, Avery and Co.
- [s.n.] (1954). Breeds of Chickens For Meat and Egg Production. Farmers’ Bulletin 2065. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Agriculture. Pages 14–15.
- Cyril Hrnčár, Monika Hässlerová, Jozef Bujko (2013). The Effect of Oviposition Time on Egg Quality Parameters in Brown Leghorn, Oravka and Brahma Hens. Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies 46 (1).
- APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
- Victoria Roberts (2008). British poultry standards: complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 9781405156424.
- Liste des races et variétés homologuée dans les pays EE (28.04.2013). Entente Européenne d’Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Archived 16 June 2013.
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