Picture tiny fingers reaching into nesting boxes, smoothing chicken feathers down before reaching under the bird’s warm body to find the sought-after prize.
“Which one laid this egg, Mommy?”
It’s always a good idea to get to know a chicken before you purchase, so you know what to expect from them when they start laying.
But more so, it’s a beautiful thing to know about all the birdies in your coop, and even better to answer when a little one asks you who laid the biggest egg.
Brahma chicken eggs are some of the biggest and most attractive.
Keep reading to learn about their laying habits, egg production, and more!
Did Your Brahma Lay This Egg?
Brahma chicken eggs are brown and usually on the larger side. Brahmas have been known to get broody and protective of their eggs. However, they’re docile and friendly, so they’re unlikely to peck at you when you collect the eggs. Brahmas are cold-hardy birds that keep producing eggs through the winter months!
While the bird comes in color varieties (dark, light, and buff), Brahma chickens don’t lay vibrantly colored eggs.
Their eggs are brown, and this doesn’t change based on the feather color of your Brahmas.
Being a large chicken breed, these birds will probably be laying some of the bigger eggs in your chicken coop.
If you didn’t already know, Brahmas have been said to lay as much as 10-12 pounds.
Some sources put them at more like 8-9.5 pounds.
Regardless, these are big fowls!
These birds tend to show some broody behavior, so you’ll likely find them sitting on top of their eggs in the nesting box.
Being as friendly as they are, it’s still perfectly safe to reach under and grab those eggs or even let your kids collect them.
Brahmas are good in the company of humans and won’t hurt you or your little ones, even when you’re after their eggs.
Further Reading: Complete List of Chickens With Dark Brown Eggs (With Pictures)
Are Brahma Chickens Good Egg Layers?
Brahmas are not known for having the highest egg production out there. However, they are impressive layers because of their ability to keep laying even in the dead of winter.
There aren’t many layers of winter eggs to be found, so if you live in a cold climate and would like a good winter layer, Brahmas are definitely for you.
Their dense feathering makes it easier for them to tough out the cold weather.
Conversely, they don’t take the heat as well.
They do okay with it but are much better in cooler weather.
So, it’s a good idea to give them access to shade in the summertime and keep plenty of fresh water available.
If you live in a southern climate, you may wish to consider another bird instead.
When Do Brahma Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
Brahmas start laying at around 6-7 months, slightly later than the average chicken. Many other chicken breeds start around 4-5 months, so don’t be alarmed if your Brahma is later than expected.
The difference you see here is just a month or two, though.
So, it isn’t any reason to cast these birds aside.
Poultry keepers generally count on a variety of breeds for consistent laying anyway.
For example, you may have a daily layer that produces impressive amounts of eggs during the summer months.
However, your infamous summer layer likely slows down during the colder months.
This is where a Brahma chicken would come in.
Account for their start time similarly.
You know they won’t begin to lay until six or seven months.
But you likely have other layers which can fill in the gaps.
How Long Does It Take Brahma Chickens to Lay Eggs?
Brahmas don’t lay eggs every single day. They lay 3-4 eggs per week, so it takes them at least a couple of days to lay an egg. In warmer weather, this may seem slow compared to other hens. However, in the winter, it’s faster than many of your other layers.
How Many Eggs Does a Brahma Chicken Lay?
Over a week, Brahmas lay 3-4 eggs. Over a year, it’s safe to count on about 150 eggs, give or take. If you’re looking to completely stop buying eggs from the store, you need more layers than just a Brahma or two.
You’ll increase overall egg production by taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the different poultry breeds in your coop.
While they’re ideal fowl for winter laying and good in the company of people, Brahmas don’t lay the highest quantity of eggs.
How Long Do Brahma Chickens Take to Hatch?
Brahma eggs hatch anywhere from 21-28 days. Most chickens hatch at 21 days, which means Brahma chicks can take up to a week longer than the average birdy to hatch.
They don’t always take the extra time.
Sometimes your baby Brahmas will pop out in the same time frame as other chicks.
But don’t be worried if they take some extra time.
It’s normal for this breed of chicken to take up to an extra seven days.
Being as broody as they are, Brahmas make great incubators and can sit on eggs until they hatch if you let them.
An incubator is also a great way to hatch these eggs, though, if you have one.
This is especially true given the extra time it sometimes takes them to hatch.
Are Brahma Hens Good Mothers?
Not only will they sit on their eggs for 3-4 weeks to maturity, but Brahma hens also make excellent mothers to baby chicks. They’re friendly with other birds and people, and they’re very gentle with babies, making them wonderful mamas.
Their temperament isn’t the only factor to consider, though.
It’s a good idea to supervise as you’re able when your Brahma hen first starts walking around with her babies.
Because of their size, Brahma chickens occasionally trample and kill their chicks by mistake.
They never intend harm to their babies, but accidents do happen.
So be aware of the possibility and prevent it by supervising.
The odds are good your birds will be totally fine!
But safety is always a priority, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out.
How To Increase Brahma Egg Production
Brahmas are known for being big birds. They eat a lot compared to other chickens, which is important for egg production. Make sure you’re giving them quality layer feed as your budget allows, and don’t let the feeder run out.
There’s no magic spell to make your Brahma chickens lay an egg daily.
They are limited by their biology, just like every other bird.
However, if you ensure they get plenty of food and take excellent care of them, they can reach their full potential as layers.
This means helping them regulate their body temperature in extreme weather and get all the nutrients they need to lay good eggs for you.
It also means giving them all the space they need to live in, which is more for these birdies than others due to their bigger size.
The quality of care you provide them with will have every influence over their laying.
Related Reading: What Brahma Chickens Eat And How It Affects Egg Laying
Do Brahmas Lay in the Summer?
While they’re known for being layers of winter eggs, Brahmas don’t stop laying altogether in warmer weather. However, they do slow down as the cold months come to a close in spring, which is a pretty strange pattern compared with most other backyard poultry breeds.
Take some precautions if you’re worried about laying too slow in the heat.
Make sure they always have access to water and change it as often as possible on hot days.
The additional feathering Brahmas have help in the cold.
But in summer, it’s just the opposite.
Help them stay cool every way you know how.
They mainly need consistent shade and clean, fresh water.
These things will help them stay healthier, which will, in turn, keep their egg production up.
Are Dark Brahma Chickens Better Layers than Light or Buff Brahmas?
No Brahma color type lays more eggs than another. Brahmas are brown egg layers. The brown color of their eggs doesn’t change with their feathers, nor do their laying habits.
The only real difference between the three types of Brahmas is the color patterns you see in their feathers.
White or black feathers, the beautiful colors don’t translate to their eggs in any fashion (pun intended).
It is lovely to fill your coop with a variety of colorful birdies, whether they lay unique eggs or not.
The more practical qualities are important, but they aren’t all there is!
When little fingers reach into the nesting box and pull out a big, brown Brahma egg, it would be lovely to point out not one but three different chickens who could have laid it.
