Brahma Chicken Height, Size, Eggs, Colors, & Size-Comparison

The majestic brahma chicken height ranges from 2.5 ft. to 3ft tall.

The chicken breed is an old one with its root going far back in time; as many heritage breeds, the exact genetic makeup of this bird is unknown.

Historians have tried to trace the origins of this large bird from clues left in journals and poultry books of the 1800s.

Popular for its size and popularly called “King of Chickens”, it’s a docile, calm breed that is both an egg laying, and meat bird.

Today’s article covers every bit of information you need to know about this gentle giant including it’s egg laying ability, height, size, price, colors, disposition, breed history and so much more.

READ MORE:

• Ayam Cemani Eggs Color Breed Information
• Blue Wyandotte Breed Care and Information
• Silver Laced Temperament and More

Brahma Chicken Height

Its height is an estimate of around 2.5 feet tall to 3 feet i.e. 91cm.

Brahma Chicken Size-Comparison

This chicken breed is a jumbo-sized bird among other bird breed. It can grow as tall as around 3 feet (91cm) tall and can weigh about 10 pounds (4.5kg).

The American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection states the standard brahma rooster is 2.5 feet tall, with hens, roosters, and pullets weighing 5 to 8 pounds.

Brahmas Background and History

In the mid01800s, this bird was called the “Shanghai”. This is the chicken breed that moved the UK and US “Hen Fever” of the 1850s.

The “Shanghai” is a cross between a Cochin and Malay bird. Evidently, these birds were brought back by US sailors who had been to the Chinese city of Shanghai. Hence, the name hanged around for a while.

At a particular time, the Shanghai was crossed with the Grey Chittagong- which originated from India, specifically an area near the Brahmaputra River in what is now Bangladesh.

Funny enough, the crossing between these two breeds might have happened here in the US, despite the exotic names! Development of the Brahma took place mainly in the United States from imported birds and the breed was refined over a relatively short period of time- around fifty years or so.

At this period, most experts agree that the birds initially came from China with some Indian fowl influence.

George Burnham (a breeder) in 1852 exported nine ‘gray Shanghaes’ to Queen Victoria in England as a gift, which by all accounts she adored.

Mr. G Burnham made a wise business move; he watched the price of his birds rise from $12–15/pair to $100–150/pair as a result of this gift!

The Dark Brahma was created in the UK from stock of Light Brahma brought from the US.

The Brahma used to be the best chicken for table fare up until the coming of the newer production of breeds in the 1930s.

The Brahma could not gain on size and muscle as quickly as newer birds would and gradualy fell from the market ranking. The most recent listing of the Brahma in the Livestock Conservancy directory places it in the “recovering” status thanks to its regained popularity amongst homesteaders and  backyard chicken keepers..

Brahma Breed Standard

The Dark and Light Brahma were added to the first published British Poultry Standard in 1865. The two varieties of the Brahma’s were admitted to the American Poultry Association standard in 1874.

In 1924, the Buff Brahma was admitted.

The Brahma is a large bird- almost the same size with the Jersey Giant – a Brahma will boldly stand at around 30 inches tall. It has a deep, long and wise body. It stands tall giving it a narrow “V” when viewed from the side.

The Brahma has a “beetle brow” and pea comb where the forehead kind of overhangs the eyes. The beak is strong and short too.

Plumage is tight and dense with a thick covering of down under the feathers.

The rooster should weigh in around 10lb with the hen around 8lb. In the 1850s’ the bird was way heavier- 19lb and 13lb respectively have been proven by records.

There exist a bantam variety of the Brahma with 5 recognized colorations- Buff, Light, White, Dark, and Black although the white and black versions are raely found. Bantam hens will weigh in 34oz and roosters 28oz.

It is considered an Asiatic breed for classification.

Continue reading brahma chicken height and more…..

Appearance and Feather Patterns

Three feather patterns are recognized and they are: Buff, Light, and Dark.

Each design is unique and there is no confusing one for another. The contrasting of the patterns in each variety is quite beautiful and attractive.

• Light

A contrast in white and black, the Light Brahma is mainly white with a grayish undertone. The long narrow feathers have black striping with a little striping in the saddle area. The tail is black with some white laced feather.

• Dark

The Dark Brahma rooster should have silver long narrow feathers and a saddle striped with black. The shoulder area should be solid silver, breast, the tail and body solid.

The hen’s hackles should be black with grey pencing, laced with white. The back, breast, body, and wings are a medium grey with black pencing.

To obtain the best coloring, the birds will need to undergo ‘double mating’.

• Buff

The Buff pattern is really the same as the Light with Buff taking the place of the White. The warm coloration of the Buff has made it a loved chicken amongst many folks.

Although there had been other breeds like the: Gold Partridge, White, Blue Exchequer but none have remained popular enough to be put forward for admission to the APA or excite big interest in the general chicken keeping world.

Brahmas’ Disposition

Although the Brahma is a large bird- and can intimidate a child or a person afraid of birds, it is really a gentle, non-aggressive bird.

It is a docile, calm and friendly bird, they are said to allow people to handle them. They do not do well with flying so are fairly easily contained.

Although they do well in confinement, they do well when it comes to foraging too. They handle cold climates well as a result of their thick feathering. The preference of environment/soil is a well-drained soil that is commonly moist and dry, cool climate. Swampy, muddy, or wet areas should be avoided since it might lead to foot problems.

They tend to make great mother hens and can hatch eggs at an high rate. They are not really broody but this can depend on the line of bird you purchase from.

They are often high in the pecking order since most hens appear to be intimidated by their size! They don’t act as flock bullies too and can really get along with most other chickens in most of the cases.

Table Fare and Eggs

Initially, the Brahma breed was bred as table fare. In the 1899s’ the bird was far larger and a single bird could easily feed a large family cheaply. The Brahma was a table chicken with no rivalry between the times of 1859 to 1830.

A hen can produce between 3-4 eggs each week- and here’s the best news, they love to lay them from October to May, just when your other mother fowl are thinking of closing their egg makers for the winter.

The eggs are usually medium to large size, and are brown in color. The bad side is that the hens can take 6-7 months before they begin laying.

We hope you are better enlightened on information as regards this breed including brahma chicken height …

Common Health Issues of the Large Chicken

Like any feather-footed fowl, the feathering can be problematic in winter.

The feet can become muddy and wet can cause frostbite in freezing temperatures. When the feet get muddy or wet, the toes can develop small mud balls which can severely destroy the toe if not dealt with.

If you allow them out in the winter ice and snow, you need to pay special attention to their feet.

Since their feathering is really tight and dense, keep a quick eye out for mites and lice. Inspect their legs on a frequent basis for scaly leg mite too- it’s hard to point it in feathered foot breeds.

Generally, a foot quill will latch on to something and break off. They can bleed seriously, but the application of pressure followed by styptic powder and corn starch will often end the problem.

Other than these minor/common issues, the Brahma is a big chicken bird with overall good health.

Is the Brahma Right for You?

If you are a fan of large, cool headed hens, then the Brahmas may be for you! This is a really calm hen, which would make a great addition to a family flock.

Little children might get overwhelmed by these creatures as a result of their size, but will quickly grow fond of them. Their calm nature would make them perfect for a 4H project or even the show ring where they generally do quite well.

Some special considerations for the Brahmas in the coop would be sturdy roosts, evidently bigger nests to accommodate the hens and slightly wider doorways- this is a large bird remember!

Since the Brahma is quite a large bird, it takes longer than the average chicken to mature. Some folks say they can take up to 2 years to completely mature. The chicks are commonly strong and hatch quickly too- they feather in rapidly too.

They are not really expensive to buy from hatcheries- unsexed chicks costs less than 3 dollars. Sexed chicks are more pricey but still cost less than 4 dollars per bird.

If you approach a dedicated breeder, the stock quality will be significantly higher and the chicks will cost you more.

For more, keep reading brahma chicken height and eggs,

Summary on Brahma chicken height

The Brahma was popularly named the “King of Chickens” until surpassed or equalled in size by the Jersey Giant.

If you feel convinced that the Brahmas will be a great addition to your flock, perform a mental check list of things that will be quite different from your normal, standard chickens.

You may need to alter the cop and its surroundings to accommodate these large birds. There is also the cost of feed, as they will consume more meals than the regular standard chicken, so feed bills need to increased and estimated.

Additionally, feathered feet need you to pay close attention to your birds in the winter, colder months. But I honestly don’t think they like the mud or snow.

You will not have a cause for regret should you decide to go for any of these birds you will never have any cause for regret. I have never heard or seen a Brahma with “attitude” – they are docile and friendly.

Of course, the roosters might suffer a little from testosterone overload in the spring, but what rooster doesn’t?

But because they require more effort to raise, the brahma is rare and is seen to be an endangered livestock by the conservancy. Data collected by the conservancy during a 2015 national census indicates there were 7,505 brahmas across the US.

Now that you know more on the Brahma chicken height, egg size, price, size-comparison and temperament, do well to share this post to other chicken breeders and owners.