5 Reasons to Love The Giant Brahma Chicken Breed
Inside: There are two sizes of Brahma chickens, bantam and standard. The difference in these beautiful, wonderful birds is just the size.
The Brahma chicken is a majestic and historic breed known for its impressive size, gentle temperament, and striking feather patterns. These gentle giants are highly valued not only for their hardy nature but also for their ability to lay eggs throughout the colder months, making them a favorite among backyard chicken keepers. Whether you're interested in their role in poultry history, their practicality as a dual-purpose breed, or simply their eye-catching beauty, Brahma chickens are a fascinating addition to any flock.
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.
5 Reasons to Love The Giant Brahma Chicken Breed
I love Brahma chickens. They are my favorite breed of chicken, it could be because they were the first chickens we got, it could be their fancy leg and feet feathers, their wonderful personalities, or just because they are my chickens. But I want you to love them too!
Get updates & freebies delivered to your inbox!
Brahma Chicken Breed as a Whole
There are Standard Brahmas and Bantam Brahmas. I do have both so we can do a great comparison of them.
Majestic Appearance
Standard Brahma chickens are known for their impressive size and appearance. They are one of the largest chicken breeds, with roosters weighing up to 12 pounds and hens weighing around 9.5 pounds. They are only outdone by the Jersey Giant chicken breed.
Their large size, feathered legs, and well-rounded bodies give them a regal and majestic presence in any flock.
Bantam Brahma chickens are miniature versions of Standard Brahma breed. They can be about half or two-thirds the size of regular birds. Bantam Brahmas roosters weigh about 2.5 lbs and hens weigh slightly less at 2 lbs.
They come in three standard colors: light Brahma chicken, dark Brahma chickens, and buff brahma chickens.
- Light Brahma – White with black feathering on the neck and tail.
- Dark Brahma – Black and silver penciling, with striking contrast.
- Buff Brahma – Golden buff with black accents similar to the Light variety.
There are more colors being bred but these are the main varieties of Brahma chicken breed.
Standard Brahma (Light)
Standard Brahma roosters weigh up to 12 pounds and hens weigh around 9.5 pounds.
Bantam Brahma (Buff)
Bantam Brahmas roosters weigh about 2.5 lbs and hens weigh slightly less at 2 lbs.
Gentle and Docile Nature
One of the most endearing qualities of Standard Brahma chickens is their gentle and docile nature despite their great size. They are known for being calm and friendly birds, making them great additions to a backyard flock.
Their laid-back temperament makes them easy to handle, especially for families with children or novice chicken keepers.
Yes, you can still get an asshole rooster. I had one, he would attack me at any time or for any reason, and the final straw was when he flew up my dress while I was bent over collecting eggs. How do you come back from that?!
We found that to get the best roosters, the most gentle and docile, don't keep the rooster that is head of the flock, he has more potential to be more aggressive. Whenever we hatch chicks to keep we end up with roosters. We never keep the rooster that has become the head dude. We keep one of the lower roosters.
Now, I have noticed that every Spring my boy, Junior, gets a little stretchy around us, sidestepping, giving some warning to stay away from his ladies. This is normal Spring fever behavior, we do not turn our backs on him when he acts like this because then we are asking for trouble. It typically stops come summer.
Cold Hardy
Standard Brahma chickens have a remarkable tolerance for cold weather, thanks to their thick feathering, feathered legs, feathered feet, and small pea comb. This makes them an excellent choice for cold temperatures.
Now, because they are cold hardy does mean that they may struggle in extreme heat. All chickens need to have fresh, cool water in the summer and shady areas to get out of the heat. A chicken comb has a high concentration of blood running through it on a constant basis. This blood circulation helps to cool a chicken down during hot weather, and the small pea comb of these large birds doesn't allow for as much circulation.
Excellent Egg Layers
While Standard Brahmas are primarily known for their ornamental value, they are also productive egg layers. Hens typically lay their first egg around 6-7 months of age and can produce around 150-200 large brown eggs per year. I will say that they do take a little time to come back into laying after molting and going into winter. Our silkie chickens keep us in eggs through the winter oddly enough.
Their reliable egg production makes them a practical choice for those seeking a balance between ornamental and productive breeds. And with how much feed the big chickens eat, you want them laying eggs.
The egg size is great, they lay light brown eggs. Bantams are medium-sized and Standards large an extra large egg.
Dual-Purpose Birds
In addition to their egg-laying capabilities, Brahma chickens are considered dual-purpose birds. While their meat may not be as common in modern commercial settings, they have historically been valued for their high-quality and flavorful meat.
For those interested in self-sustainability or wanting to raise chickens for both eggs and meat, these birds offer a versatile option. You'll get more meat off of a Standard VS Bantam of course. It can be a great way to get rid of the roosters that you don't want to raise or keep with your flock. They are not going to mature as fast as actual meat birds though, not getting to size until about 18 weeks vs the meat bird's 6-12 weeks.
Excellent Brooding Skills
Bantam Brahmas, the smaller version of the large Standard Brahma, are known for their excellent brooding skills, making them good mothers and nurturers. Because they are excellent nurturers the desire to sit on eggs is strong with them. I mean, my hens sit in the empty nesting box more than they do anything else all summer long. Which, sadly is the reason that I will no longer be breeding my buff Brahma bantam hens, and I am letting them retire in style.
If you have the desire to hatch your own Brahma chicks or expand your flock through natural means, bantam Brahma hens are reliable brooders. Their commitment to sitting on eggs and caring for chicks is impressive and can be a delightful experience for chicken enthusiasts.
They are amazing mothers, they will protect their young, even after you have introduced and integrated the chicks with your flock. Bantam Brahmas are a popular choice as a nature incubator.
My Standard Brahma hens have not gone broody in the four years that I have been raising them.
In my opinion, you can't get a better bird. They are quiet, even the Brahma roosters crow is quieter than other breeds, including silkies chickens. They are perfect for cold climates, and have a great friendly nature, which makes them a great choice for anyone just getting started in raising chickens for their family.
They have been perfect for beginner chicken owners, for children of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brahma Chickens
What are the cons of Brahma chickens? They eat twice as much as the average chicken.
Are Brahma chickens good for laying eggs? They are good egg-layers for their size, producing up to 200 large brown eggs per year.
How large do Brahma chickens get? The Brahma was the principal meat breed in the United States from the 1850s until about 1930. Some birds were very large: weights of about 8 kg (18 lb) for cocks and 6 kg (13 lb) for hens were recorded.
Want More?
The Best Chicken Breeds for Self-Sufficiency
How to Break a Broody Hen: 5 Humane Ways
Bantam vs Standard Chickens: A Comprehensive Guide to the Differences
