light brahmas???

[markmc]

We are first timers with the whole chicken thing and are a bit clueless about breeds. We are wanting winter hardy layers. I talked with the chicken store guy today and he recommended Light Brahmas (sp?) Because they are winter hardy and are "good with kids". I was just curious about what you experts thought about that recommendation and if you have any others.

Also--the store starts getting the chicks in on Feb 20th. Now if I don't want a bunch of chickens living in my garage for an extended period of time when should I plan on getting them so they go into the coop pretty quckly after they get feathers. It usually takes until May or so around here to be wearing shorts in the daytime if that helps. Thanks for your help.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm not an expert, but............Yes, they are winter hardy and good with kids. (at least mine is) They are a large breed, but very calm. No matter when you get them, they will need heat for at least 6 weeks. I'd also recommend getting Easter Eggers (sold as Ameraucana's at feed stores) My kids love the colored eggs they lay and they are also hardy.

 

[Gonzo]

Hi! Light Brahmas are good birds to have. They do well in all climates and are good around little ones. Check out the breed section here. You'll get a better idea of different breeds. Whats the most important quality you want you chickens to have? Ask yourself that, and go to the breed section. (Thats how I did it last year

) I wanted large eggs, friendly cold & heat tolarent birds, so I ended up falling in love with Australorps! I have several different breeds, but they are my favorite. I have one that follows my 8 yr old around like a puppy! Study the breeds, and go from there, and I'm sure in no time you'll have your very own favorite as well. Good Luck!

 

[gritsar]

Why limit yourself to one color? I have large fowl light, dark and buff brahma hens and my rooster is a dark brahma. Here's Thor with some of his hens:

I highly recommend the brahma. They are very easy going and will sail right through cold winters.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I can't comment on how they are as layers because I only have a Rooster. I have 6 different varieties of roosters, and I have found my light Brahma Rooster ("Fur Feet" is his name) to be very gentle and friendly around my children. He is very "fluffy" and well built for cold climates. He is slower moving than my other Roosters (which gives the hens more of a chance to out run him). As far as laying, I have not heard them to be really good layers, but with kids I'd recommend them.

Gritstar:
See... thats what happens when you let your kids pick your roosters names. Your rooster has a nice "masculine", strong sounding name ... "THOR!" Mine end up with names like "Fur Feet" (I guess because of the feathers on their legs....)

 

[Gonzo]

Our kids name a rooster Fluffy!

Quote:

 

[gritsar]

gonzo&hispeeps :

Our kids name a rooster Fluffy!

Quote:

Explain to the kiddos that roosters need manly names so that they can grow up big and strong and protect the ladies.

 

[abanjaf]

My Light Brahma is very good with the kids. She is particularly fond of hopping on and perching on my back whenever she gets the chance! She is a fair layer of brown eggs, not great. I agree with the suggestion of purchasing Easter-Eggers as well (usually available in feed stores as Americaunas or you can order them online as well). My Easter-Eggers are very good egg layers and are very hardy. The kids love collecting the blue-green eggs There are many resources on the internet regarding various chicken breeds. I currently have 7 different breeds and love the diversity in my flock

I kept my chicks inside for the first six weeks. After I moved them to the coop, I also placed a heat lamp in the coop for a few weeks to make their transition easier. I wish you the best of luck. My birds bring me great enjoyment and I hope yours will, too.

 

[ZooNana]

I love our light brahmas!! They are great with the kids and we're in Colorado and they handle the weather fine.

Pic of "mama chicken" taken by my daughter

 

[PandoraTaylor]

and

from Alaska


I love my LF Light Brahmas, they are very cold hardy birds, they lay good, not as good as my Black Sex Links, but I will not be without them in my yard.
I also have Barred Plymouth Rocks. They all seem good with my grandson.

-30 and they were playing in the snow.