Brahma
Dual purposeUnited StatesBeginner friendly
Developed in America from massive birds imported from Shanghai, the Brahma is a feather-footed giant with the manners of a golden retriever. It handles brutal winters without complaint and, unusually, does much of its laying in the cold months when other hens have clocked out.
Eggs per year
130–200
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Medium
Hen weight
9–10 lbs
Temperament
Gentle and docile
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
Once called the "King of All Poultry," a Brahma rooster can stand two and a half feet tall and weigh a dozen pounds.
Brahma egg production
Expect roughly 130–200 brown eggs a year from a Brahma in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 11–17 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Brahma is generally described as gentle and docile. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Brahma rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Brahmahen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Brahma hen is a heavyweight bird at 9–10 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Brahma right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Brahma FAQ
- How many eggs do Brahma chickens lay?
- A healthy Brahma hen lays about 130–200 brown eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 11–17 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Brahmas lay?
- Brahmas lay brown eggs, medium in size.
- How big do Brahma chickens get?
- A Brahma hen weighs roughly 9–10 lbs — a heavyweight bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Brahmas cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Brahma is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Brahmas good for beginners?
- Yes. The Brahma is a forgiving, gentle and docile breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Brahma hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Brahma hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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