Breed · Chicken breed
Brahma
Gallus gallus domesticus
Also known as: Brahma Pootra
The Brahma is a very large, feather-legged chicken breed developed in the United States from imported Asian stock, historically important as a meat fowl and now valued as an imposing, cold-hardy dual-purpose and exhibition breed.
Record
Livestock breed- Breed of
- Chickens
- Species
- Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)
- Type
- Meat
- Origin
- United States
- Recognition
- Registered
- Conservation status
- Not establishedReported per source and date (e.g. FAO DAD-IS); not a fixed property of the breed.
- Registries
- FAO DAD-IS · Global · as of 2026-07-12Chicken breed recorded in the global domestic animal diversity inventory.
- American Poultry Association (Standard of Perfection) · United StatesRecognised breed in Light, Dark, and Buff varieties.
- Adaptation
- Very cold-hardy: the pea comb and heavy, feathered plumage suit cold climates. In heat and wet conditions the abundant feathering, including on the feet, needs careful management.
- Primary uses
- Historical meat production, Exhibition and ornamental large-breed keeping, Dual-purpose winter brown-egg laying in cold regions
Registry listing or variety protection is jurisdiction- and date-specific and does not by itself indicate current commercial availability, universal cultivation approval, patent status, or a recommendation.
The Brahma is one of the largest domestic chicken breeds, developed in the United States in the mid-19th century from big, feather-legged Asian fowl imported through Chinese ports. Renowned for its size and stately carriage, it was once nicknamed the "King of poultry" and was a leading meat breed before the rise of specialised broilers.
The Brahma is distinguished by its heavy build, feathered legs and feet, small pea comb, and calm temperament. Recognised in Light, Dark, and Buff varieties, it is today kept mainly for exhibition, as a hardy dual-purpose farm bird, and as a docile large breed for backyard flocks.
Origin and history
The Brahma was developed in the United States around the 1840s to 1850s from large feather-legged birds imported from Asia, and it was refined by American and later English breeders. The exact ancestral details are debated, but the breed was standardised in the Light and Dark varieties in the mid-1800s, with Buff added later. It became a foundational heavy meat breed of the era.
Appearance and characteristics
- A very large, tall, and deep-bodied fowl with an upright, imposing stance.
- Feathered shanks and toes, a small pea comb, and dense plumage suited to cold.
- Recognised colours include Light (white with black hackle and tail markings), Dark, and Buff.
- A notably calm, gentle temperament despite its size.
Use and management
Historically a major table breed, the Brahma is today kept chiefly for exhibition, as a docile large-breed backyard bird, and as a hardy dual-purpose fowl that also lays brown eggs, often continuing through winter. Its feathered feet benefit from dry conditions, as muddy or wet ground can soil and damage foot feathering, and its size calls for adequate housing and perching.
Relationships
Evidence-backed connections in the knowledge graph.
Scope & limitations
Geographic scope: Global breed overview; standards, colour varieties, and populations vary by country and registry.
Climate context: Best suited to cold and temperate climates; the heavy, feather-footed plumage requires dry conditions and heat management.
- This is a general breed profile, not strain-specific performance data or husbandry guidance.
- The precise Asian ancestry of the breed is historically debated and is described only in general terms.
- Conservation risk status is not asserted here because it varies by variety, country, and population.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]DAD-IS — Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Cited for: Breed recording and global diversity status
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Moderate
Cited for: Breed origin, history, and general characteristics
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12