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The Brahma Chicken Has Remained Popular For Over A Century
Author : kor rassad
Submitted : 2011-02-16 09:39:27 Word Count : 550 Popularity: 18
Tags: Brahma Chicken, Brahma, Chicken, chicken breed, breed
The Brahma chicken is known in many countries of the world to be both ornamental and good for egg and meat production. Its disposition also makes it a star, since it is friendly and non-aggressive enough for family barnyards and calm enough to do well at shows and fairs.
The first Brahmas were brought to the US in 1846 and within 24 years has become an established breed accepted by the American Poultry Association. Fabulous prices were paid for the earliest of the breed, but their offspring spread rapidly through the country and in a surprisingly short time many people were able to enjoy this versatile fowl.
Although the Brahma has stayed remarkably true to the founding strain in size and shape, modern birds are slightly smaller and there are now three color categories. Early roosters weighed around fourteen pounds and hens as much as nine, but today twelve pounds is more of an average for the cock and eight for the hen. However, their fluffy feathers make them appear larger than they are, so they look very majestic as they poke around the yard or are posed for pictures.
The original chickens were white with black, and this color is still the most popular; today these are called Light Brahmas. The Dark Brahma is black tipped with white in the cock and dark gray and black in the hens. There is also the Buff Brahma, in which the base color is a warm tan and the markings black and brown. All Brahmas have feathered legs and feet and fluffy, compact tails.
Although the chickens are beautiful, they are also good layers and make well-breasted roasting fowl. They are hardy in colder climates, lay more in winter than many other breeds, and do well in either free range conditions or in confinement. Their eggs are large and brown, with a rich flavor that many prefer to any other, and even in runs they lay three or more eggs a week. They are not over-anxious to set (which many farmers think is a virtue) but make good mothers when they do.
The Brahma is a hardy bird that does well in areas with cold winters. They have the small 'pea comb' which will not freeze like the larger combs of other breeds, and their profuse feathers and feathered feet keep them warm with little help from their owners and less feed as well. The hens continue to lay eggs in the winter months, when hens of other breeds may stop altogether until the weather warms up.
Whether you let your chickens out to roam or keep them in a run, the Brahma will do well. They are calm enough to tolerate confinement, and when allowed to range are not aggressive around children. They grow rapidly, and the hens lay large, brown eggs with a rich flavor. Hens are not usually insistent on nesting but take good care of their chicks if they are allowed to set.
Brahma chickens make great pets, are good barnyard fowl, and good exhibition birds. For a well-rounded chicken, who could ask for better?
Author's Resource Box
To continue reading more about the Brahma Chicken, and other
Chicken Breeds, visit ChickenCoopAdvice.com
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