Brahma

Why this fits you

Brahmas are among the largest chicken breeds, with hens around 9 to 10 pounds and roosters about 12. They have small pea combs, thickly feathered legs and feet, and a calm manner that makes them easy to handle. They lay large brown eggs and keep laying into winter better than many breeds, but they grow slowly and eat a good deal.

Size, growth and what to expect

A Brahma pullet may not start laying until 6 months of age or later, and birds keep growing for much of their first year. Egg production is moderate, commonly 150 to 200 large brown eggs a year, with a useful share arriving through winter when many breeds slow down. The size also makes Brahmas a legitimate dual-purpose bird, though the slow growth means they are not an efficient meat bird compared with a Cornish Cross.

Temperament and handling

Brahmas are famously gentle. They are slow-moving, tolerant of handling and rarely aggressive, even the roosters, though no rooster should be assumed safe around small children. They sit low in the pecking order against more assertive breeds, so keep them with calm companions such as Orpingtons and Australorps. Their size and calm nature make them easy to catch and easy to keep with low fencing.

Cold, heat and feathered feet

The small pea comb resists frostbite, and the dense feathering handles hard winters well, which is the main reason people choose the breed in northern climates. The same insulation is a drawback in prolonged heat, so provide shade, airflow and cool water in summer. Feathered feet pick up mud and snow and can collect ice balls in freezing, wet conditions, so keep the run and bedding dry. Check the feet and legs regularly for scaly leg mites.

Housing and feed

Large birds need more room: plan about 5 to 6 square feet per bird in the coop and 12 or more in the run, with roosts set low, around 18 inches, because heavy birds can injure their feet jumping down from high perches. Use wide, sturdy roost bars and wide nest boxes. A Brahma eats more than a standard hen, so budget accordingly and avoid over-feeding scratch grains, which lead to obesity.

Broodiness and chicks

Brahma hens go broody fairly often and make good, careful mothers. Their size means they can crush eggs or chicks if the nest is cramped, so give a broody hen a roomy, quiet nest and consider a smaller egg count under her than you would for a lighter breed.

How it compares

Buying checklist

• Wide, low roosts and roomy nest boxes -- heavy birds injure their feet jumping down
• Dry bedding and run -- feathered feet collect mud and ice
• Extra space and feed budget for a bird that is twice the size of a Leghorn

Run the numbers