Characteristics and description of Brahma chickens, egg production and maintenance

Brahma chickens are very popular among farmers. This is due to excellent performance and attractive appearance. India is considered the birthplace of this breed. It was from there that the birds came to America and Europe. Today there are many varieties of this breed. They differ in color, direction and other parameters. Also based on the breed, dwarf chickens were bred, which differ from their larger relatives only in size.

History of origin

Data on the origin are very contradictory. There is an opinion that Brahma chickens were bred from Cochin and Malayan birds. Southeast Asia is considered the homeland of birds. For several hundred years, Indo-Chinese monks bred ornamental chickens and kept them at temples.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the birds came to America. The breed was registered in the USA in 1874. American scientists have put a lot of effort into improving meat characteristics. That is why in the country this type of chicken is still considered exclusively meat. This includes, in particular, the light or Columbian breed.

At the same time, chickens have become widespread in Europe due to their decorative characteristics. Beautiful birds were bred primarily to decorate the yard. Therefore, European breeders made efforts to improve the decorative properties of birds, while the meat qualities were ignored. In Asia they are considered decorative meat.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Brahma chickens are characterized by the following features:

1. The color varies. There are gray, black, brown birds. There are also partridge and silver-white tones.
2. There are colored types of chickens. They come in red and yellow. There are beautiful blue and white birds.
3. Birds have quite a lot of ash-colored fluff. The feathers are soft and fit well to the body. Males have a ruff of a contrasting shade.
4. The skin is yellow.
5. Birds are characterized by a small head with a wide forehead. The comb is three-rowed and does not have clearly defined teeth.
6. The constitution is quite dense. Birds are characterized by a wide chest, back, and belly. The case has a high rise.
7. The wings are quite developed. Chickens also have strong and long legs. They are completely covered with feathers.
8. The neck is of medium length. The top is covered with a voluminous mane and has a slight bend.
9. The beak is strong and has a yellow tint.
10. The birds have deep orange eyes and high brow ridges.
11. The earlobes and earrings are red. They differ in medium length. There is a fold under the beak.

A white tail and yellow feathers are unacceptable for these birds. Also, they cannot have black stripes in the waist area against the background of a predominance of light feathers.

Appearance and varieties of Brahma chickens

There are many types of chickens of this breed. They differ in certain features.

Light

Such birds are characterized by impressive size. They have powerful legs and a wide chest. The birds are distinguished by their rich red crest and wattles. Light colored chickens have silvery white feathers. The mane and tail are black, with a slight greenish tint.

Initially, it was a meat variety that was able to live in fairly strict conditions. The weight of adult males was 7 kilograms. Since the eighties of the 20th century, decorative properties have come to the fore. Today the weight of roosters does not exceed 5.5 kilograms, chickens - 4.5 kilograms.

Chickens begin laying eggs at 8 months. They are large in size, have a strong shell, and a dark ocher color. By the third year, productivity declines. A 5-year-old chicken produces no more than 50-60 eggs.

Dark

This species is characterized by differences in the color of females and males. Laying hens have gray or blue-gray shades and a black mane. The chest and sides are decorated with contrasting colors, including black stripes.Roosters are characterized by a silvery-white hue. There is a black stripe on the wings.

In appearance, this type of chicken is close to Cochin. In terms of performance, weight and character, the dark variety is more reminiscent of the light breed.

Fawn

In appearance and size, the chicken resembles previous varieties. It is characterized by a brown tint with a golden tint. Females have a dark mane and tail. On the head, back, sides and mane of males there are feathers of a rich red hue. They are covered with dark stripes. Roosters have a black tail.

An excess of red or yellow shades is considered a color defect. In size and performance, this species of birds resembles the light one.

Partridge

The color of the chickens resembles the feathers of partridges. This can be seen by the outlines of the feathers on the fawn background. The eggs of this breed have dark specks. Males have a rich red-red hue. It is present on the back, sides, chest, neck. The rest of the feathers are black.

In terms of weight parameters, chickens are somewhat inferior to the light variety. The weight of roosters is no more than 4.5 kilograms, chickens - 4 kilograms. Every year a chicken produces 110 eggs weighing 55 grams.

Isabel

This is a dwarf breed of chicken. They are distinguished by their gray-blue color. The head, neck, and part of the back have a white-yellow tint. For chickens are characteristically fluffy and clean feathers. Feathers and down cover the legs and toes. Birds have a proud posture.

The weight of roosters is 2.5 kilograms, chickens - 1.5 kilograms. This variety is characterized by low productivity - up to 80-100 eggs per year. The weight of each egg is no more than 35-40 grams.

Character of birds

This breed is hardy and unpretentious. Birds are considered resilient. They do not require a large chicken coop or an impressive walking area.Birds have an excellent character - they are considered calm and even somewhat phlegmatic.

Weight of laying hens and roosters

The average weight of laying hens is 3.5-4 kilograms, the weight of roosters reaches 4.5-5 kilograms. During the heyday of the breed, birds weighing more than 7 kilograms were encountered. However, today such giant chickens are practically not found.

Productive qualities

Chickens under 2 years of age are characterized by high egg production rates. They lay 120-150 eggs per year. Then performance drops noticeably. Chickens begin to produce eggs at 7.5-9 months. Their weight is 55-60 grams.

The weight of dark Brahma chicken does not exceed 4 kilograms. The light variety weighs slightly less - 3-3.5 kilograms. The weight of roosters is 4-6 kilograms. The safety parameters of young animals are 70%. For adult birds this figure increases to 90%.

Main advantages and disadvantages

The key advantages of chickens of this breed are the following:

• high meat productivity;
• excellent vitality;
• unpretentiousness to the climate and size of the chicken coop;
• good decorative characteristics.

However, chickens also have certain disadvantages. These include the following:

• high cost of feed and other materials;
• long period before egg production begins;
• slight motor activity of birds.

Features of maintenance and care

To increase the productivity of birds, strengthen their immunity and avoid the development of diseases, it is worth providing them with quality care.

Chicken coop requirements

Meat breeds are bred using 2 housing methods - floor or cage. For Brahma chickens, the first option is preferable. It involves the use of deep litter and daily walks.

A maximum of 5 chickens should be placed per 1 square meter.It is definitely recommended to pay attention to the roost. The width of the die must be at least 30 centimeters. The perch is removed 40-50 centimeters from the floor surface.

The recreation area should be organized at a distance, with a slight slope. Baskets, wooden boxes or buckets are used to arrange nests. It is worth laying hay or straw at the bottom. 1 nest will be enough for 5 chickens.

Walking area

The size of the walking area should be three times the area of ​​the chicken coop. When constructing this area, it is recommended to take into account that the ground should be covered with grass.

Drinkers, feeders and ash baths

The poultry house must have drinking bowls with fresh water. It is also worth using separate containers for grain and wet mash.

Ash baths are of no small importance. They are required to clean feathers and skin, as well as to remove parasites. To do this, take boxes 15-20 centimeters high and fill them with dry sand and wood ash.

Seasonal molt

Chickens are characterized by seasonal molting, which somewhat spoils the decorative properties of the birds. To speed up the recovery of feathers, it is worth introducing fish oil and vitamin products into the diet of birds. At this stage, a decrease in egg production is observed.

Planned replacement of livestock

To replace old birds with young birds, it is worth using the largest eggs. They can be obtained for 2 years. In the third year, the number of eggs decreases and does not exceed 45 pieces. Therefore, the livestock should be replaced once every 3 years.

Feeding rules

To keep chickens healthy, it is recommended to feed them properly:

1. Food should be fresh and contain sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. For this purpose, food waste, grain crops, and herbs are used.Also included in the menu are special additives and powder made from shells or chalk.
2. To improve the functions of the digestive organs, it is recommended to pour fine gravel into a separate bowl. River sand is also suitable.
3. Chickens should be fed 3 times a day. The first feeding should include grain, the second meal is based on wet mash. The third time, the chickens should be given grain again.
4. It is recommended to adhere to the drinking regime. Birds should be given water at room temperature. The ratio of dry food and water is 1:1.8.
5. To increase the mobility of birds in winter, 10% of the grain is sprinkled on the bedding. At the same time, the volume of feed should be increased.

Chicken breeding

There is enough rooster for 10-15 females. Brahma chickens are excellent hens, and therefore this breed is quite easy to breed. Laying hens are characterized by a peaceful nature. For breeding, it is recommended to use females at least 3 years old. This allows you to get strong chickens.

Chicks hatched later than June develop poorly. By winter they do not have time to get stronger, and therefore get sick more often. Young animals are kept separately for 4-5 months.

Possible difficulties

Chickens of this breed are characterized by slow growth. Chicks are quite demanding in terms of care and food. At the same time, the hatchability rate of chickens is almost 100%. The main characteristic of the incubation period is considered to be good heating of the incubator. This is especially true in the first 5-6 days after laying the eggs.

After chicks hatch, they are strictly prohibited from being taken outside. The chicks should be placed in a box covered with straw and placed under an artificial light lamp. Only after a week are the chicks allowed to go outside for a few hours.

What to feed chickens?

Typically, poultry farmers use special feed, which includes crushed eggs, wheat grits and corn. Sometimes they give cottage cheese with herbs. Chicks also require granulated feed. It has a beneficial effect on their development.

Common diseases and their prevention

In general, these chickens are considered unpretentious. However, sometimes they encounter diseases. When raising birds, it is recommended to strictly follow the rules of hygiene. To avoid the appearance of parasites, you should add ash or ashes to the litter.

Young birds may be exposed to avian influenza. Timely vaccination will help avoid this. Chickens should also be protected from drafts. To prevent rickets, the chicks are given fish oil once a week.

Brahma chickens are characterized by excellent productivity and excellent decorative characteristics. To achieve good results in raising birds of this breed, it is recommended to provide the birds with high-quality care.