Brama chickens: breed description and characteristics, maintenance and care, egg production, feeding

Brahma chickens are very popular with farmers. This is due to the 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 large relatives only in size.

History of occurrence

Data on the origin is very contradictory. There is an opinion that Brahma chickens were bred from Cochinchins and Malay birds. Southeast Asia is considered the birthplace of birds. For several hundred years, Indochinese monks have bred decorative chickens and kept them at temples.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, birds came to America. The breed was registered in the USA in 1874. American scientists have made great efforts to improve meat characteristics. That is why in the country this variety of chickens is still considered exclusively meat. It 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 meat qualities were ignored. In Asia, they are considered decorative meat.

Description and characteristics of the breed

The Brahma chickens are characterized by the following features:

1. Color varies. There are gray, black, brown birds. There are also partridge and silvery white tones.
2. There are colored kinds of chickens. They are red and yellow. There are beautiful blue and white birds.
3. Birds have quite a lot of ash-colored fluff. Feathers are soft and fit well to the body. Males have a collar 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 has no prominent teeth.
6. The constitution is quite dense. Birds are characterized by a wide chest, back, and abdomen. The body features a high fit.
7. The wings are quite developed. Chickens also have strong and long legs. They are completely covered in feathers.
8. The neck is of medium length. The top is covered with a voluminous mane and has a slight curve.
9. The beak is strong and has a yellow tint.
10. Birds have deep orange eyes and high brow ridges.
11. Earlobes and earrings are red. They are of 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 the 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 broad chest. Birds are distinguished by a rich red crest and earrings. Light chickens have silvery-white feathers. The mane and tail are black, with a slight greenish tinge.

Initially, it was a meat variety that is able to live in fairly strict conditions. The mass 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 start laying eggs at 8 months. They are large in size, strong shell, dark ocher shade. By the third year, performance drops. A 5-year-old hen 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 gray-blue shades and a black mane. The chest and sides are decorated with a contrasting color scheme, including black stripes. Roosters are characterized by a silvery-white hue. There is a black stripe on the wings.

In terms of exterior, this variety of chickens is close to Cochinchins. In terms of performance, weight and character, the dark variety is more reminiscent of the light breed.

Fawn

In terms of exterior and size, the chicken resembles previous varieties. It is characterized by a brown hue 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 hues is considered a color flaw. In terms of size and performance, this variety of birds resembles a light one.

Partridge

The shade of chickens resembles partridge feathers. This can be seen from the outlines of the feathers on a fawn background. On the eggs of this breed there are 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, chickens are somewhat inferior to the light variety. The mass of roosters is no more than 4.5 kilograms, chickens - 4 kilograms. Every year, a chicken lays 110 eggs weighing 55 grams.

Isabella

This is a dwarf breed of chickens. They are gray-blue in color. The head, neck, part of the back have a white-yellow tint. Chickens are characterized by fluffy and clean feathers. The legs and toes are covered with feathers and down. Birds have a proud posture.

The mass 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 mass of each egg is no more than 35-40 grams.

Bird Character

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

Weight of layers 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 came across. However, today such giant chickens are almost never seen.

Productivity

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

The weight of the dark chicken Brama does not exceed 4 kilograms. The light variety weighs somewhat 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;
• hardiness to climate and coop size;
• good decorative performance.

At the same time, chickens have certain disadvantages. These include the following:

• high cost of feed and other materials;
• long period before laying starts;
• small 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.

Coop Requirements

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

A maximum of 5 hens should be placed per 1 square meter. Be sure to pay attention to the perch. The width of the plate must be at least 30 centimeters. The perch is removed from the floor surface by 40-50 centimeters.

The recreation area should be organized in the distance, with a slight slope. For the arrangement of nests, baskets, wooden boxes or buckets are used. At the bottom it is worth laying hay or straw. 1 nest will be enough for 5 hens.

Place for walking

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

Drinkers, feeders and ash baths

Drinkers with fresh water should be present in the house. 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 birds. To speed up the restoration of feathers, fish oil and vitamin products should be introduced into the diet of birds. At this stage, there is a decrease in egg production.

Planned stock replacement

To replace old birds with young ones, 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 replacement of livestock should be carried out 1 time in 3 years.

Feeding rules

For chickens to be he althy, it is recommended to feed them properly:

1. Food should be fresh and include enough vitamins and minerals. For this, food waste, cereals, greens are used. Also, special additives and shell or chalk powder are introduced into the menu.
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. For the third time, chickens should be given grain again.
4. It is recommended to stick to the drinking regimen. Birds should be given water at room temperature. The dry food to water ratio is 1:1.8.
5. To increase the mobility of birds in winter, 10% of the grain is poured onto the litter. At the same time, the volume of feed should be increased.

Chicken breeding

Rooster is enough for 10-15 females. Brama chickens are excellent mother 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 bred after June do not develop well. By winter, they do not have time to get stronger, and therefore get sick more often. Young animals 4-5 months old are kept separately.

Possible difficulties

Chickens of this breed are characterized by slow growth. Chicks are quite demanding on care and feed.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 eggs.

After hatching, chicks are strictly forbidden to be taken outside. Chicks should be placed in a box lined with straw and placed under an artificial light lamp. Only after a week, the chicks are allowed to go outside for a few hours.

What to feed the chickens?

Poultry farmers usually use a special feed that includes crushed eggs, wheat grits and corn. Sometimes they give cottage cheese with herbs. Also, chicks need granulated feed. It favorably influences their development.

Common diseases and their prevention

In general, these chickens are considered unpretentious. However, sometimes they get sick. When growing birds, it is recommended to strictly observe the rules of hygiene. To avoid the appearance of parasites, it is worth adding ash or ashes to the bedding.

Young birds may experience bird flu. Timely vaccination will help to avoid this. Also, chickens should be protected from drafts. To prevent rickets, chicks are given fish oil once a week.

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

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