Buff Brahma — Day-Old Chicks
Buff Brahma — Day-Old ChicksNPIP Certified Hatchery - License #51-770
- 150–200 Eggs/Year
- Medium–Large Brown Eggs
- 28–32 Weeks to Lay
- Minimum 6 chicks per shipped order. Mix any breeds on the same hatch date to reach 6, or order 12 or more and the Marek’s vaccine is free.
- No small order fee. Shipping is $34.95 for 6–25 chicks by USPS Priority Mail · $49.95 for 26–50 · $59.95 for 51–100
- Live Arrival Guarantee on every shipped order
- Marek's vaccine available: free on orders of 12 or more chicks, otherwise $0.75 per chick. Check the box in your cart.
- Free local pickup in Preston, MD, no minimum
Checking hatch dates…
Orders close Sunday at 11:59 PM Eastern before each Tuesday hatch date. After that, that week is no longer available, so please choose another week from the dates still open.
See other hatch dates
📦 Learn how we carefully pack and ship your chicks →
The Buff Brahma is the gentle giant of the chicken world — a massive, fluffy-footed bird with a calm disposition that makes even the most skittish chicken keeper fall in love. Don't let their size fool you; these birds are as sweet-natured as they are impressive.
Why backyard keepers love them:
- 🥚 150–200 medium–large brown eggs per year — steady layers that often continue producing through winter when other breeds slow down
- 🪶 Warm buff plumage with feathered feet and legs — a majestic, eye-catching presence in any flock
- ❄️ Superior cold-weather tolerance — their large size and dense feathering make them exceptionally winter-hardy
- 🐓 Calm and gentle giants — one of the most docile breeds, great for families and children
- 🌿 Dual-purpose breed — their size makes them an excellent table bird as well as a layer
What to expect from Chesapeake Hatchery chicks:
Our Buff Brahmas are selected for correct type, feathered feet, and calm temperament. Marek's Disease vaccination is optional and is not included in the chick price. To vaccinate your chicks, check the Marek's vaccine box in your cart. Chicks are backed by our live arrival guarantee. Note: Brahmas are a slow-maturing breed — they take longer to reach full size and laying age, but the wait is absolutely worth it.
Weeks to first egg: 28–32 weeks
Egg size: Medium–Large
Egg color: Brown
Common questions about Buff Brahmas
Are Buff Brahmas good with kids?
Yes. They're one of the calmest, gentlest breeds, and a great choice for families.
How many eggs do they lay?
About 150–200 medium-large brown eggs a year.
Why do Brahmas take longer to start laying?
They're a large, slow-maturing breed and usually start laying at 28–32 weeks. The wait pays off with steady layers that handle winter well.
Are Buff Brahmas cold-hardy?
Very. Their large size, dense feathers and feathered feet keep them comfortable in winter.
Pairs well with:
- Light Brahma: another gentle giant
- Buff Orpington: another calm, golden family breed
Big birds, bigger personalities — reserve your Buff Brahma chicks for the next hatch.
Breed specifications
Breed specifications
Production
Maturity
Temperament
Appearance
Adaptability
Chick care overview
Chick care overview
Brooder temperature: Start at 95°F for the first week, reducing by 5°F each week until fully feathered.
Food & water: Offer chick starter feed and fresh water immediately. Dip each chick's beak gently into the water on arrival to encourage drinking.
Hydration boost: We include hydration supplements in your shipment — add to water for the first 24–48 hours to help chicks recover from transit.
Space: Allow at least 0.5 sq ft per chick in the brooder for the first few weeks.
Watch for: Huddling under the heat source (too cold), panting or moving away from heat (too warm). Active, spread-out chicks are happy chicks.
For detailed care guides, visit our FAQs.
Shipping
Shipping
Your chicks ship in a USPS-approved live animal box designed specifically for safe poultry transport, complete with soft bedding, temperature control packing, and hydration supplements for the journey.
We take immeasurable care in every shipment — each box is packed with your flock's safe arrival as our top priority.
Day-old chicks ship by USPS Priority Mail with live-animal handling, the same day they hatch. Most orders reach your local post office in 1–2 days; some rural areas take up to 3. Started pullets ship by USPS Priority Mail Express, as USPS requires for older birds.
LIVE CHICK SHIPPING
USPS Priority Mail:
6–25 chicks — $34.95
26–50 chicks — $49.95
51–100 chicks — $59.95
Optional Priority Mail Express at checkout: $56.95 for 6–25 chicks, $66.95 for 26–50, $76.95 for 51–100.
Shipping farther than a day's drive from Maryland, such as south of the Carolinas or west of Ohio? We recommend Priority Mail Express. Express chicks are loaded first and usually arrive sooner, but USPS does not guarantee delivery times for live animals.
Ordering more than 100 chicks? Each additional 100 chicks (or part of 100) ships in another box at $59.95, or $76.95 by Express. For example, 150 chicks ship for $119.90.
Minimum shipped order: 6 chicks • Mix & match breeds
Local Pickup — Wednesdays in Maryland
No shipping fee · No minimum order
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind every shipment. In the rare event a chick doesn’t survive the trip, email us within 24 hours of delivery with a photo, and we’ll issue a refund or store credit for that chick. See our Live Arrival Guarantee.
