Brahma rooster Temperment?

[Roo5]

Just curious from those who have raised and kept Brahma roosters.I currrntly have two little,very large friendly Brahma cockerels Along with a bunch more roosters who are also friendly, so I know when the time comes its gonna be very hard to pick who stays.If anything,I probably will end up keeping no more then three, and was thinking about giving our Easter egger cockerel, the 8 pullets we have now and just purchasing 10-12 more birds for he Bramahs,I was worried about their size and was curious if they are vigorous maters(I know it can depend on the bird,but most breeds have reputation).Since these birds are only five weeks old, nothing is set in stone as any aggressive cocks will have to go.But,I’m considering Brahma cockerels because having a 10-12 pound rooster doesn’t sound like a terrible idea.

 

[MomJones]

Sounds like you have a whole bunch of roosters there. And while they can be ever so sweet and friendly as youngsters, things can change quickly once adulthood happens. It's recommended that backyard flocks do best with a maximum of one rooster per 8-10 hens. I see you're intending to cull or give away a couple of roosters? You could end up with a nightmare on your hands in about 4 months if you don't balance things out--but that's just my opinion and I'm not an old hand at this.

You also mentioned getting new chicks and swapping existing ones out. Are you saying you intend to order some by mail? It's past the season for that I thought, no? Or are you in touch with a local breeder?

Anyway, I'll be following this.

 

[aart]

'Friendly' at 5 weeks is kinda typical of cockerels....and it can turn to 'dominance' and aggressiveness later on.

If you are a new chicken keeper, I would suggest making plans now to get rid of all the males....or maybe all but one(then learn how to behave around them).

More females is not going to help with that many males. Multiple males creates an environment of competition that can bring out the worst of their behavior in all of them.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[Roo5]

I had planned to get rid of almost all the boys, except for three (and that just depends on who behaves the best).Ive raised several Males before, and haven’t Had But one turn aggressive, and that was the first male we purchased from someone as a grown adult.Not denying it can happen, but so far I guess I’ve been pretty lucky, or I’m doing something right.I hav never been a push over for these birds.I just asked about Brahams because this is my first time keeping the breed,and knowing more about the breed from someone experienced can sorta give me an idea on how to handle the birds or if I should even try to put up with them.If anything does go wrong with the ones I choose to keep,I always have extra pens.I also will get any aggressive ones culled and sell the ones that are decent that I don’t plan on keeping.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[speckledhen]

x2 to all aart said above.

The Brahma temperament is supposed to be easygoing. It's really a breed trait, at least in true Brahmas. My rooster is the biggest teddy bear, super easy to handle, not at all aggressive. That said, with hatchery stock, you cannot count on anything because they are not bred well, nor bred to keep that good temperament in their stock. I have had hatchery Brahmas plus the current well-bred, high quality Brahma stock I have now. My Brahma rooster, being as huge as he is, keeps the need for protection on the hens' backs a requirement, at least at certain times like spring into early summer. In winter, he doesn't mate them as much (he has six currently). My Blue Orpington rooster was not a motivated breeder (he had 5-6 all the time), however, his big size made him clumsy during mating and he ripped open the sides of more than one hen just from trying to balance. I'd never have two roosters of that size in any flock.

As far as keeping more than one in a group of females, when they are young, the males compete heavily and I had a scalped pullet from two young cockerels trying to get her at the same time. Took awhile for her head to heal up-they were each pulling on her at the same time from different directions and literally pulled the entire scalp open. So I made the decision to rehome one of them.

Even at 3 years old, my Brahma rooster is a motivated breeder, especially in spring. He has his favorites, too, so they have more feather wear than the others.

 

[Roo5]

Thanks, we hav both light and buffs if that makes a difference.

I also planned to keep the cockerels separated from the pullets until they begun laying,planned on keeping ockerels around to till about 7 months.

 

[Travis Brown]

I would separated the males out into a different pen at about 4 months. At eight months I would select the two I liked the best. Next spring I would put the favorite rooster in with the hens and raise a hatch off him. Then take him out and place the other one with the hens for about 1.5 months and raise another hatch. Compare the offspring and if one had better offspring get rid of the other.

 

[aart]

Thanks, we hav both light and buffs if that makes a difference.

I don't really think breed matters, for the most part.
'Line' can matter tho...as @speckledhen pointed out, might depend on source of birds.

Keepers behaviors matter most of all IMO...and it sound like you have some experience there. Not sure how much that will weigh with multiple males tho.

having a 10-12 pound rooster doesn’t sound like a terrible idea.

Curious as to why?

 

[KZN Chicken farmer]

Hi, from my experience with Brahmas and the Brahma standard for them says their nature is gentle and calm.

 

[Roo5]

I figured he may make for a better protector and is huge size would make it more avoidable to predators because that’s a lot to carry off and not get caught up with the dogs outside.

I don't really think breed matters, for the most part.
'Line' can matter tho...as @speckledhen pointed out, might depend on source of birds.

Keepers behaviors matter most of all IMO...and it sound like you have some experience there. Not sure how much that will weigh with multiple males tho.

Curious as to why?