Poultry
Brahma
B tier
Brahma is a very large Asiatic chicken breed with feathered shanks, a pea comb, and a massive, broad body developed in the United States from birds of Asian origin. Light, Dark, and Buff colour varieties are standard; the breed was once a premier American table fowl before lighter, faster commercial birds replaced it. Meat is substantial with a full, traditional flavour when birds are grown to maturity over many months; young Brahmas can roast well but need longer finishing than broilers. They also lay modest numbers of brown eggs and remain popular as ornamental giants and cold-hardy homestead poultry.
Also known as: Brahma, Light Brahma, Brahma, Brahma
Track this ingredient
Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Large feather-legged fowl of presumed Shanghai and Chittagong ancestry arrived in American ports and attracted breeders.
Improved “Brahmapootra” or Brahma type was promoted as a heavy winter table bird for northern markets.
Light and Dark Brahmas entered the American Standard of Perfection as fixed heavy Asiatic breeds.
Exports to Britain established Brahmas in European exhibition and utility flocks.
Peak table use declined as smaller dual-purpose and later hybrid broilers proved more economical.
Heritage and show breeders preserved giant Brahmas for ornamental and specialty meat markets.