A breed that fills your egg carton with 300 eggs, a highly versatile chicken, Who wouldn’t want this type of chicken? This is Bovans Browns, a breed that satisfies you with their prolific egg-laying ability, adaptability, friendly/docile nature, and pet-like behaviors. 

In this article, we cover 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

The Bovans Browns breed has beautiful feathers with some white spots. Their tail tips are white, 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 3 to 4 months, Bovans Browns weigh 4 to 4.5 pounds. 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.

Have you ever wondered, that bovan browns and hyaline browns look the same?

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

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 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.

How to Care for Bovans Browns 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 Bovans Browns Breed

Some other varieties of Bovans Browns will also make your backyard or flock more beautiful than 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, they also have unique qualities like strong livability and feed efficiency.

Bovans Black: 

These 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.

Conclusion

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.

FAQs

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.

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 Bovan brown chicken?

At the age of 3 to 4 months, Bovans Browns weigh around 4 to 4.5 pounds. 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. They also do not require a lot of space so Bovans Browns are a good choice for beginners or newbies.