Brahma Chicken

Brahma is a large chicken breed developed in the United States in the mid nineteenth century from big Asian fowl imported through the port of Shanghai, crossed with other large breeds and popularly, if not always accurately, said to trace to stock from the Brahmaputra river region, which gave the breed its name. It is one of the largest chicken breeds, with hens commonly weighing several kilograms and roosters larger still, distinguished by a broad, deep body, feathered legs and feet, and a small pea comb suited to cold climates. Brahma became a sensation in Victorian England after birds were presented to Queen Victoria in the 1850s, a period sometimes called Hen Fever that drove intense public interest in importing and breeding large fowl, and for a time it was the most popular meat breed in the United States before faster growing commercial hybrids replaced it in that role. It is no longer used commercially but remains popular for exhibition and backyard keeping, valued for its calm temperament and imposing size.