A breed that fills your egg carton with around 300 eggs, a highly versatile chicken, Who wouldn’t want this type of chicken?
This is Bovans Browns, a breed that satisfies you in all aspects like their prolific egg-laying ability, adaptability, friendly and docile nature, and pet-like behaviors.
In this article, we cover almost everything about these clucks, and at the end of this article, you will know that Bovans Browns are good or worse for you to raise.
Brief History of Bovans Browns
Bovans Organisatie N.V. (Bovans Poultry Breeders) was founded In 1954, by Dutch poultry breeders Harry van Duijnhoven and his wife.
Bongers family, and three other families; van Duijnhoven, van Lankveld, and van der Linden are linked with the Bovans breed.
Their name “Bovans” was picked from the family’s first alphabet like Bo was from Bongers’s family and “Van” was from the other three families” first name.
The name of their breeding center was Harry van Duijn Hoven’s farm at Stevensbeek. The farm developed different breeds and Bovans Brown.
Bovans Browns are now known for their prolific egg-laying ability and adaptability.
Appearance of Bovans Browns
Bovans Browns breed has beautiful and some white spots on their feathers, they have white tail tips and their wattles, lobes, and comb are red.
They have a pale, creamy color and downy feathers but as they grow and mature, their plumage and feathers start to develop, slowly revealing beautiful brown feathers.
At the age of 3 to 4 months, Bovans Browns weigh around 4 to 4.5 pounds, and when they reach around 2 years of age their weight increases to 4.5 to 5 pounds.
Their daily average chicken feed consumption is 114 grams, with a feed conversion rate of 2.19 kilograms per kilogram.
Temperament of Bovans Browns
Bovans Browns are friendly and docile by nature and show their friendliness and pet-like behaviors to their owners and even kids.
They are hardy birds that thrive in any climate and environmental conditions.
They are calm and gentle chickens they don’t disturb you and also their eggs-laying friends.
Their calm, gentle, and friendly personality makes them perfect pets for families with kids, individuals with little time, and people who take advantage of their prolific eggs.
Eggs Production of Bovans Browns
Bovans Browns are known for their good and prolific egg-laying ability, each Bovans Brown can lay up to 464 eggs between 18 to 100 weeks of age.
The color of their eggs is dark brown and their size is medium to large.
Their egg-laying potential also varies whether the chickens are in free-range or a colony.
A free-range hen lays around 312 eggs within 72 weeks, while a colony hen lays around 323 eggs within 72 weeks.
However, the egg-laying can increase to 354 eggs per free-range hen and 366 eggs for those housed in colonies by their 80th week.
You can boost their egg production rate through proper nutrition, health care, and a calm environment.
Broodiness of Bovans Browns
Bovans Browns have low broodiness as compared to other breeds, they are just known by their high egg production rate not by their broodiness.
By broodiness, we mean sitting on eggs and hatching them, so Bovans Browns breed are low broody.
Caring for Bovans Browns
Proper caring of Bovans Browns can boost and increase their productivity and longevity.
Some requirements are essential to care for Bovans Browns:
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Coop Management for Bovans Browns
A well-created, well-ventilated, and predator-proof coop or house for Bovans Browns and all other chickens is the most important thing to keep in mind/
Providing ample space in the coop and out of the coop will not bore these chickens, and they will do their activities comfortably.
At least 2-3 square feet per chicken space in the coop and around 8-10 square feet per chicken out of the coop is at least recommended.
And for free range make sure they have at least 15 square feet for each chicken to forage and explore their environment.
Ensure that the coop has fine and soft nesting boxes for their bedding.
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Feed Requirements for Bovans Browns
A well-formulated and basic nutrient feed is the basic need for chickens, as they help boost their productivity and longevity.
Provide a feed that has all essential nutrients like protein helps in weight gain and muscle development, calcium helps in egg laying, minerals, phosphate, etc.
Provide access to clean and fresh water, to prevent dehydration, especially in summer or hot weather.
Ensure to add fruits and vegetables to their diet so they get almost all nutrients which is important for their development and growth.
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Health Care for Bovans Browns
Regularly checking them for illness signs and symptoms and showing them immediately to a veterinarian will ensure the well-being of Bovans Browns.
Bovans Browns are susceptible to various insects and parasite infestations. So vaccinating them will prevent these types of problems.
Other Varieties of Bovans Browns Breed
Some other varieties of Bovans Browns will also make your backyard or flock more beautiful than now.
Bovans Goldline:
Bovans Goldline are excellent egg layers; they lay up to 330 eggs in their first year.
Bovans White:
Bovans White can lay up to 476 eggs within 18 to 100 weeks, they also have unique qualities like strong livability and feed efficiency.
Bovans Black:
Bovans Black are robust birds also they are easy to care for and manage. Bovans Black can lay up to 445 eggs within its 18th to 100th week.
FAQs Related to Bovans Browns
Can I get Bovans Browns chicks from hatching their eggs?
No, you would not get Bovans Browns chicks for hatching their eggs. Remember that Bovans Browns are hybrid chickens their eggs will not breed true. You get something else when hatching their eggs and something else means there is no exact proof of what kind of chicks you get.
At what age do bovans browns start laying eggs?
Each Bovans Brown has the potential to lay up to 464 eggs between 18 to 100 weeks of age. The color of their eggs is dark brown and their size is medium to large.
Their egg-laying ability also varies whether the chickens are in free-range or a colony. A free-range hen produces around 312 eggs within 72 weeks, while a colony hen produces around 323 eggs within 72 weeks.
What is the color of bovans browns eggs?
Bovan browns are the Dark brown color of eggs which are medium to large.
What is the lifespan of Bovans Browns chickens?
Bovans Browns chickens can live up to 3 to 4 years, but some chickens can exceed eight years by proper care and diet.
What is the weight of bovans browns chicken?
At the age of 3 to 4 months, Bovans Browns weigh around 4 to 4.5 pounds, and by the time they reach approximately 2 years of age, their weight increases to 4.5 to 5 pounds.
Are Bovans Browns suitable for meat?
Bovans Browns are considered a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are suitable for both egg-laying and meat production. Proper care and diet will make them perfect for meat production.
When Will A Bovans Brown Hen Stop Laying Eggs?
In the first 2 years, Bovan Brown hens will lay around 300 eggs a year. After that, their egg production will begin to taper off.
However, sometimes even older hens can continue laying eggs.
Is Bovans Browns breed good for beginners?
Yes, they are a good breed for beginners as they don’t want any special care all the time and do not require a lot of space so Bovans Browns are a good choice for beginners or newbies.
Conclusion of Bovans Browns
Bovans Browns are well-known chickens for their prolific eggs-laying ability, hardiness, and calm and friendly personality and temperament.
Bovans Browns chickens can give you many years of benefits and joy if they get good care and a balanced diet.
These birds are perfect for any backyard or flock, families with kids, and individuals with little time.
Have you ever raised a prolific egg layer? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments with us, we would love to help you.