Brahma (chicken)

Brahma chicken
A Light Brahma hen
Country of origin	India
Classification
Traits Weight Male 4,4-5,0 kg Weight Female 3,7-4,5 kg Egg Color white
Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Brahmas are an Asiatic breed of chicken, originating in the Brahmaputra region in India where they were known as "Gray Chittagongs." Their heritage is unclear, but they are believed to be closely related to the Jungle Fowl (Gallus Gigantus) and the Cochin.^{[citation needed]}

The first Brahmas were brought to the U.S. from British India in 1846, and were used as a utility fowl for their edibility and generous egg laying and hardiness even during the winter months, although today they are kept mainly for ornamental purposes as selection for utility has taken a back seat to selection for appearance. Some of the earliest imports to the U.S. reached weights of nearly 14 pounds, but rarely is such massive size seen today: standard weight for a cock is 11 pounds; hens are 8.5 pounds. By the 1870s Brahmas had become so popular that they were admitted into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection.

Temperament

Brahmas are calm, friendly birds that make good pets or exhibition fowl. Males are calm and generally not aggressive towards humans. They are not skittish or easily scared, making them a popular choice for families with children. Due to their docile demeanor, Brahmas can be easily trained so that they can be handled by almost anyone. They should be hand trained when young because their large size makes them difficult to control in the early stages of training if they are full grown.

Appearance

Brahmas are massive in appearance, in part due to profuse, loose feathering and feathered legs and toes. Approximate weights:

1. Cock - 12 pounds (5.443 kg)
2. Cockerel - 10 pounds (4.536 kg)
3. Hen - 9 pounds
4. Pullet - 8 pounds

Recognized varieties

The American Standard of Perfection recognizes three Brahma varieties: light, dark, and buff. The light Brahma has a base color of white, with black hackles edged in white and a black tail. The cocks' saddle feathers in a light Brahma are striped with black. The dark Brahma has the most notable difference between cock and hen. The hen has a dark gray and black penciled coloration with the same hackle as the light whereas the cock has black and white hackles and saddle feathers, and a black base and tail. The wings of a dark Brahma are white-shouldered and the primary feathers (remiges) are edged with white. Buff Brahmas have the same pattern of black as light Brahmas, except with a golden buff base color instead of white. In Australia Brahma Breeders are creating more colours and along with the accepted American varieties - Light, dark, and buff the Australian Poultry Association have accepted black, blue, partridge, crele and even barred varieties of Brahma.

Gallery of varieties

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  A Light Brahma

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  Buff Brahma

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  Dark Brahma

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  Buff Brahma bantam

External links

• The History of the Brahma, by Brian Reeder
• University of Illinois, The Chickscope Project, Detailed information and illustrations on Brahmas
• Brahma page at FeatherSite
• Oklahoma State University, Animal Science Dept. - Brahma Information
• Brahmas at myPetChicken