Bovans Browns Chickens An Excellent Egg Layers

A breed that fills your egg carton with 300 eggs, a highly versatile chicken. Who wouldn’t want this type of chicken? After much research and hands-on experience, I found that Bovans Brown chickens stand out as an ideal chicken for anyone.

These laying hens are versatile, robust, and packed with combined traits, making them a top pick for commercial egg producers and backyard enthusiasts.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through their history, characteristics, performance, and care tips, sharing a personal story to bring it all to life.

Brief History of Bovans Browns

The Bovans Brown chicken breed has a fascinating history that traces back to the 1950s, when American and Dutch companies were in fierce competition to develop superior laying hens.

In 1954, Dutch poultry breeders Harry van Duijnhoven and his wife, alongside the Bongers, van Lankveld, and van der Linden families, founded Bovans Organisatie N.V., or Bovans Poultry Breeders, in Stevensbeek.

The name Bovans cleverly combines “Bo” from Bongers and “vans” from the other families’ names. They created a versatile and robust laying hen through a balanced breeding program that became renowned for its prolific egg-laying capabilities.

Today, Bovans Brown chickens result from decades of poultry breeding, delivering solid performance worldwide (Bovans History).

Appearance of Bovans Browns

Bovans Brown chickens are not just productive; they’re also attractive-looking birds. Their elegant brown feathering is dotted with white spots on the tail tip, and their red comb, wattles, and lobes add a vibrant touch.

These chickens maintain great feather cover throughout their egg-laying cycle, a sign of their robustness and genetic potential. Weighing between 1920g and 2005g, they have a medium build that suits various housing systems.

Their eggs are a standout feature, boasting excellent shell color with a dark brown hue that’s highly sought after. Each egg is class A, weighing around 63.2 grams, with strong shell strength (4050 g/cm²) and high Haugh units (78), indicating top quality. These characteristics make Bovans Brown eggs a favorite for commercial and family poultry farming.

Temperament of Bovans Browns

Bovans Browns are naturally friendly and docile 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 want prolific eggs.

Eggs Production of Bovans Browns

If you’re looking for a robust egg-laying chicken, Bovans Brown delivers superior egg production. According to official data, these hens reach 50% of their production at 145 days and hit a peak of production at 96.5%.

From 18-100 weeks, they produce 473 eggs per hen, with an egg mass per hen of 29.9 kg. Their flat egg weight curve ensures consistent egg size, crucial for commercial egg producers aiming for uniformity.

Here’s a detailed look at their performance metrics:

Metric	Value
Livability	93%
Age at 50% Production	145 days
Peak of Production	96.5%
Average Egg Weight	63.2 g
Eggs Hen Housed	473
Egg Mass Hen Housed	29.9 kg
Average Feed Intake	114 g/day
Cum. Feed Conv. Rate	2.17 kg/kg
Body Weight	1975 g
Shell Strength	4050 g/cm²
Shell Color (lab)	13.0
Haugh Units	78

Their excellent feed intake capacity (114 g/day) and efficient cumulative feed conversion rate (2.17 kg/kg) make them cost-effective, supporting a strong bottom line for egg producers.

Their high peak production and great persistency ensure a steady supply of quality dark brown eggs, whether in cage housing or alternative housing systems.

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 is low broody.

How to Care for Bovans Brown Chickens

Here are some simple guidelines to care for your Bovans Browns chickens:

Housing and Space:

Provide a secure and spacious coop for your chickens to comfortably move around and rest. Ensure proper ventilation, protection from extreme weather conditions, and adequate nesting boxes for egg-laying.

Feeding and Watering:

Offer a balanced diet of commercial chicken feed, which provides essential nutrients for healthy growth and egg production. Supplement their diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and clean water that is readily available at all times.

Health and Hygiene:

Regularly check your chickens for signs of illness or injury. Keep their living area clean, removing any waste or soiled bedding/flooring to prevent the growth of bacteria. Consult a veterinarian for routine vaccinations and medical care.

Predator Protection:

Protect your chickens from predators like foxes, raccoons, and birds of prey by securing the coop with sturdy fencing and using predator deterrents such as motion-activated lights or alarms.

Egg Collection:

Collect eggs daily to ensure they stay clean and fresh. Handle them gently to avoid cracking or damaging the shells. Store eggs in a cool, dry place or refrigerate them to maintain their quality. 

Other Varieties of the Bovans Brown Breed

Some other varieties of Bovans Browns will also make your backyard or flock more beautiful than it is now.

Bovans Goldline: 

These are excellent egg layers; they lay up to 330 eggs in their first year.

Bovans White: 

They can lay up to 476 eggs within 18 to 100 weeks and have unique qualities like strong livability and feed efficiency.

Bovans Black: 

These robust birds are also easy to care for and manage. A Bovans Black can lay up to 445 eggs within its 18th to 100th week.

Comparison with Other Breeds

Bovans Brown chickens are often compared to other hybrid laying hens like ISA Brown, Hyline Browns, Bovans Goldline, and Bovans White or Black varieties.

While ISA Brown hens are renowned for producing up to 500 eggs in their first year, Bovans Brown excels in robustness and feather cover, making them ideal for free-range or backyard settings.

Bovans Goldline, produced by Joice & Hill Poultry, lays up to 330 eggs annually but may see reduced egg quality with excessive artificial lighting.

Bovans White offers superior livability and efficiency for white eggs, while Bovans Black, with black-feathered plumage, is easy to manage but slightly less productive (Breed Comparison).

What sets Bovans Brown apart is their balanced traits, making it a versatile choice for egg producers seeking solid performance across housing environments and management styles.

Conclusion

Bovans Brown chickens are a profitable and reliable choice for egg producers. They offer high egg production, robust health, and versatility across housing systems.

Their low mortality rate (94% livability) and efficient feed intake make them a go-to option for family farming and commercial operations.

Whether you’re raising day-old chicks or managing a parent stock, these hens deliver results that thrive in any environment. I feel their hard work and cooperation make them a fantastic addition to any flock, ensuring a strong bottom line and a steady supply of quality eggs.

Have you ever raised a prolific egg layer? If so, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments; we would love to help you.

FAQs

Can I get Bovans Brown 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.

What is the lifespan of Bovans Brown chickens?

Bovans Brown chickens can live up to 3 to 4 years, but with proper care and diet, some can exceed eight years.

Is Bovans Brown a Hybrid Breed?

Bovans Brown is a hybrid breed developed through a breeding program to optimize egg production and robustness.

How Many Eggs Do They Lay Per Year?

They lay approximately 250-300 eggs per year, with some reaching 330 under optimal conditions, based on 464-473 eggs over 80-82 weeks (Bovans Data).

What Is The Lifespan of Brown Bovan Chickens?

With proper care, Bovans Brown chickens have a lifespan of 3-8 years, typically 6-8 years in a stable environment.

What is the purpose of the bovan brown chicken?

Bovans Brown chickens are bred primarily for egg production. Research suggests they are versatile and robust, known for high peak production and laying top-quality dark brown eggs.

How long do bovan browns lay eggs?

Bovans Brown chickens lay eggs at their peak for about 1.5 to 2 years, starting around 18-20 weeks of age. They can continue laying for several years, but egg production decreases after the first two years.

How many years do Lohmann Brown chickens lay eggs?

Lohmann Brown chickens lay eggs for approximately 1.5 to 2 years, with high production up to 80-95 weeks of age. They start laying at about 19 weeks, and their production drops significantly afterward.