The Brahma chickens are a very old breed from Asia, probably originating in India and brought to this country about 1850 by Yankee sailors on their return from trading in Far Eastern ports.
American Poultry Association Class: Asiatic Class
Eggs Brahmas are brown egg layers. They lay up to 140 eggs per year.
Meat A general purpose fowl for heavy meat production. Skin yellow The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl. The large fowl can take up to two years to be fully developed.
Brahma Standard Weights Old Male 12 lbs. Old Female 10 lbs. Young Male 10 lbs. Young Female 8 lbs.
Shape Large stately breed. The head and skull are important Brahma characteristics. Texture of the feathers is also of great importance, for the Brahma plumage should be smooth fitting and not loose feathered and soft as in the Cochin.
Color The Light Brahma is a Columbian color pattern.
Brahma History An Asiatic breed of fowls, called Chittagongs. Gray Shanghais and Brahma Pootras later shortened to Brahma, thought to have been a cross of the Malay and Cochin in India imported from Shanghai, China. In the early 1840Ęs when Chinese ports were opened to world shipping. It was long after they landed in New England that American Poultry fanciers made over and refined the original parent stock in to the large stately and useful Light and Dark Brahma varieties. Light Brahmas and Dark Brahmas were admitted to the standard in 1874. Buff Brahmas became a standard variety in 1924.
Characteristics: Light Brahma Characteristics Good Brahmas are beautiful, stately birds. Their large size and gentle nature combined with intricate color patterns makes them favorites for the country estate. The Brahma's appearance in the showroom never fails to command the admiration of one and all. These qualities have made them a favorite with showmen and fanciers. Brahmas do go broody and are fairly good mothers. Their small comb and wattles, together with profuse feathering and well feathered shanks and toes enable them to stand cold temperatures very well. The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl.
American Brahma Club: We hope to help those who are interested in learning more about the "Majestic Ones", and hope to learn from our members as well. Those who wish to join the American Brahma web site membership do not need to be members of the American Brahma Club, but we hope that this forum will encourage those who visit us to join up with the best breed club in the country- the American Brahma Club!
