(click for full size)

Andrew Hall, Yorkshire

01-Nov-2011

Andrew Hall's flock of Bovans Brown have proved to be top performers and have recently been seen performing live on the BBC's Food Fighters programme, hosted by Something for the Weekend chef, Simon Rimmer.

Andrew first became interested in Poultry after his two young children reared three chickens each and began selling the eggs around the caravan site he was running! Looking to build another business Andrew decided to look seriously into commercial egg production.

With enough land for 6,000 birds and a contract with packer Egg Sell, Andrew ordered a Harlow unit along with Big Dutchman equipment and in November 2009 he took delivery of 6,000 Bovans Brown supplied by Blue Barns. Keith Henderson of Blue Barns is a strong advocate of Hendrix breeds and had no hesitation in recommending the Bovans Brown hatched by Joice and Hill, the UK division of the respected Hendrix Genetics group. Central to the success of the relationship is the partnership approach and recourse to the Hendrix Genetic knowledge base that makes Joice and Hill and Blue Barns ideal working partners.

The first flock performed beyond all expectations and when depleted they had laid 316 HHA to 72w/o having spent 31 weeks over 90%. This is a classic illustration of the excellent laying persistency the Bovans Brown is recognised for across the world. Mortality was slightly higher than expected so following advice from his vets, an autogenous vaccine was recommended for the replacement Bovans Brown. This advice is paying off with mortality at week 59 just under 3% and the flock laying at 86%. Egg numbers are currently on target to match his first flock.

Special mention was made about the superb egg quality, especially colour, achieved right through to depletion on his first flock. Egg colour on his current flock again is excellent.  Bovans Brown - the star of the show.