Brahma or not to Brahma?

[Llamas]

Considering getting some MORE chickens now as prezzies to ourselves and I really like the idea of some BIG fluffy brahmas free-ranging about the place. However, I've never had them, so it seems prudent so ask others what their expirence has been. I'm not terribly concerned about egg production, and we have alyesburys for meat, though a nice big chicken would be welcome every once in a while, these will predominatly be for pets.

Thanks all!

[matthew2riches]

Go for it!!!

[Bramble-Poultry]

brahmas - generally (and i mean generally there is always the odd one) are a docile bird, that arent too keen on flying so make ideal wandering birds for your garden. Their fluffy feet limit the damage they do to the grass, however, if stocked heavily or penned then they will still defoliate the area!

Get them young enough and you will have happy, tame birds. older birds can be a bit stand offish. They are a huge bird, gentle giant really, but will take a while to get to full size, like cochins that can take up to 18 months to reach their full potential.

When i say big, bear in mind that my "rehomed" bird from over the fields is a maran x brahma and stands 26" tall!

Watch the feathered feet closely as they can attract scaly leg mite, so treat for it regularily. Also, if it gets wet and muddy by you, the feathers will clog with mud and you will need to wash the feet!

[its hilly]

Bramble what do you recommend to treat the scaly leg? I'm clear so far but would be handy to have something ready just in case.
My brahma x are both lovely friendly birds, but the hen cant half fly! But I've no idea what the cross is. Theyre only young but already Sam is as big as my year old cockerals..and still growing

[Eco-Chic]

Hilly, Lady I bought my second coop from simply applied vaseline to the legs of her chooks who had mild scaly mite. It suffocates them. If it's severe, I read that surgical spirit should be applied first with vaseline followed up.

[petal]

I have 6 brahma eggs in my incubator, fingers crossed we may get a spare boy and girl if you are interested? they will be handled from birth and likely to be as tame as all our others(we have pekins that watch tv with my daughter - they wear kitchen towel nappies.... say no more....)

[CoraxAurata]

My Brahmas are not fully grown and I'm completely besotted! I have more boys than I wanted unfortunately but thats just typical! my oldest boy is So hansome! and his girl is going to (all things working out) to the Scottish National show in January They are Blue Partidge, I also have lemon/red pyles the only prob is they do insist on paddling in the mud with all those feathers

will take pic and post them soon! but in the mean time heres a baby pic (seen before on here..)

[petal]

they are gorgeous, i so hope ours hatch!

[RichmondHens]

.......what do you recommend to treat the scaly leg? I'm clear so far but would be handy to have something ready just in case.

Hold the legs in surgical spirit, minimum 3 mins each leg, to suffocate the mite. Applying the vaseline as well is optional, although this does help soften the scales. One dip should be sufficient but some people recommend repeating after a week.

[HayleyB]

Oh gawd, CB has just seen those pics, she wants a Brahma now. Ummm Petal can I reserve a girlie

[CoraxAurata]

Sorry! shuffles off to naughty step.....

[CoraxAurata]

Bigger brahmas (still not fully grown though)


the white dots are hailstones by the way!

[Eco-Chic]

The first is a cockerel?

OMG I want him. He's so regal.

I think a new law should be passed forcing all suburban houses to have double glazing so we can have handsome strutting cockerels in our back gardens

[Llamas]

I have 6 brahma eggs in my incubator, fingers crossed we may get a spare boy and girl if you are interested? they will be handled from birth and likely to be as tame as all our others(we have pekins that watch tv with my daughter - they wear kitchen towel nappies.... say no more....)

Would Definatly be interested, though I'll understand if you fall in love with them!

I think this thread settles it. Brahmas it is!!! I'm not to worried about the mud on their feet as their run is pretty big, about a quarter of an acre, and even the ducks who are bent on mess can't get a good puddle going outside of their mucky area by their in-ground cattle trough, which is to be fenced off next week anyway. Wondering how our sebright x phoneix bantam rooster Seighfreid is going to feel about things....

[Llamas]

My Brahmas are not fully grown and I'm completely besotted! I have more boys than I wanted unfortunately but thats just typical! my oldest boy is So hansome! and his girl is going to (all things working out) to the Scottish National show in January They are Blue Partidge, I also have lemon/red pyles the only prob is they do insist on paddling in the mud with all those feathers

will take pic and post them soon! but in the mean time heres a baby pic (seen before on here..)

ohhhhhh! Little peepers!!! Thanks for posting these!! Good luck for the show!
(melts into quivvering puddle)