With their distinctive feathered shanks and sturdy legs, two Brahma chicks standing side by side, their small, rounded bodies and calm expressions reflecting the gentle, hardy nature they will carry into adulthood. Brahma chickens are an American breed that was developed in the United States in the 19th century from large fowl imported from China. These Chinese birds, often referred to as 'Shanghai' chickens, formed the basis of the breed, and the resulting stock was then refined by American breeders in the mid‑1800s.