Boschveld Chickens
Introduction
The Boschveld Breed
The Boschveld Free Range Chickens were bred on Mantsole Ranch, near Radium. It was bred from crosses between Venda, Ovambo and Matabele chickens and is recognised as a synthetic indigenous chicken breed.
In general, they are light brown with white feathers in between, which gives the Boschveld Chicken a unique colouring that blends into Africa. Alertness and survival skills are strong traits when it comes to defense of predators. Hardiness is an inbred trait for withstanding poultry diseases and producing under free-range conditions. The Cocks are strong, aggressive and with a noble conformation.
Breed & Performance Information
Sexual maturity: 136 days
Average egg weight: 53.4g
| Averages | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight at 12 weeks | 1.6 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Weight at 20 weeks | 2.6 kg | 1.7 kg |
Appearance of the Boschveld chicken
The Boschveld chicken is a red-brown chicken with white feathers in between.
Cocks are strong, aggressive and have noble conformation. Hens are very fertile with strong, healthy offspring that grow well.
Boschveld chicken breed characteristics
The chickens survive on what nature can provide, with a small amount of maintenance to boost production.
They withstand Africa’s climatic conditions and produce well in free-range conditions.
They have inbred hardiness to help them withstand poultry diseases.
Egg production starts at 24 weeks.
Egg production per hen/week: 4 eggs.
No expensive housing is needed to succeed in a poultry operation.
Cocks are ready for slaughter at 12 weeks old, depending on nutritional levels.
The meat has a good flavour.
ORDERING
Birds & Pricing
Delivery: R15 per KM
Airfreight per box: SAA or Airlink Cargo - As per Quote
All prices exclude VAT
Boschvelder
| Item / Age | Type | Price (R) |
|---|---|---|
| Fertile Eggs | Each | 10.0 |
| Day Old | Mix | 16.0 |
| Day Old | Hens | 25.0 |
| 1 Week Old | Mix | 25.0 |
| 2 Week Old | Mix | 35.0 |
| 3 Week Old | Mix | 45.0 |
| 4 Week Old | Mix | 60.0 |
| 6 Week Old | Mix | 75.0 |
| 8 Week Old | Hens | 90.0 |
| 8 Week Old | Roosters | 75.0 |
| 10 Week Old | Hens | 100.0 |
| 10 Week Old | Roosters | 80.0 |
| 12 Week Old | Hens | 110.0 |
| 12 Week Old | Roosters | 85.0 |
| 18 Week Old | Hens | 150.0 |
| 18 Week Old | Roosters | 100.0 |
| 20 Week Old | Hens | 170.0 |
| 20 Week Old | Roosters | 110.0 |
| 22 Week Old | Hens | 180.0 |
| 22 Week Old | Roosters | 120.0 |
Lohmann Brown
| Item / Age | Type | Price (R) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Week Old | Hens | 100.0 |
| 12 Week Old | Hens | 130.0 |
| 18 Week Old | Hens | 150.0 |
BOSCHVELD CHICKENS
Raising Guide
Everything you need to raise a healthy, productive Boschveld flock — from day-old chick to peak laying hen.
This guide is built around the Boschveld breed's known characteristics - its hardiness, active foraging instincts and dual-purpose genetics - rather than generic poultry advice. Whether you are starting your first flock or scaling an established operation, the information here reflects the Boschveld's specific behaviour, nutritional needs and production potential.
Experienced keepers will find the breed-specific nuances useful; newcomers will find a clear, practical roadmap from day one.
Rearing Chickens
Feeding Chart
| Weeks | Amount of food |
|---|---|
| 0-4 Weeks | AD LIB |
| 5-6 Weeks | 50g per day |
| 7-8 Weeks | 60g per day |
| 9-10 Weeks | 70g per day |
| 11-12 Weeks | 80g per day |
| 13-14 Weeks | 90g per day |
| 15-16 Weeks | 100g per day |
| 17-18 Weeks | 110g per day |
| Egg layers | 120g per day |
Hygiene, Biosecurity, Health & Vaccination Downloads
BOSCHVELD CHICKENS
Housing & Mobile Cages
The Boschveld free-range housing system is unique and was developed by Pieter and Mike Bosch on Mantsole Ranch, Radium. The wagon wheel has a range area for all four chicken houses and a building to store feed and eggs. All doors open into a circle with a water tank in the centre for biosecurity and easy access to the chicken houses.
The Boschveld system is designed to meet all requirements of BRC (British Retail Consortium) and GlobalGAP certification. Animal welfare and all five freedoms for poultry were the key factors in the design. No environmental control systems are in any poultry house. The design and breed are to have a very low carbon footprint and use minimum fossil fuel.
A maximum of 10 chickens per square meter in the house and 1,5 meter per chicken on the range. Shade and soil type on the range is very important, so site location must be selected properly.
Cost of Movable Chicken Cage
SIZE: 6m x 2m
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cage | R12,000.00 |
| Chickens 150 x 4-week-old Boschvelders | R9,000.00 |
| Solar Panel + Power Pack | R2,000.00 |
| 3 x Vegetable Seed boxes | R1,500.00 |
| 4 x 50kg feed (R400.00 per bag) | R1,600.00 |
| Training, Transport (radius 300km) & Setup | R7,000.00 |
| Wind protector | R1,500.00 |
| Cage Equipment (drinkers; feeders; egg drum) | R1,500.00 |
| Nut/Fruit trees (10) | R2,500.00 |
| Total | R38,600.00 |
- Put together your own package from the items listed above
- Feed 4 bags; you may add additional bags for R400.00 per bag
- Deliver only within a 300 km radius from Bela Bela. Any additional km @ R15/km
- Enquiries & orders: office@boschveld.co.za
BOSCHVELD CHICKENS
Export & Certification
Boschveld has developed an export programme supplying fertilised eggs, day-old chicks and breeding pairs to international markets. The Boschveld breed's adaptability to warm, semi-arid and free-range conditions makes it particularly well suited to smallholder and commercial farming operations across Africa and beyond. Boschveld works with buyers and their import authorities to ensure full regulatory compliance from dispatch to delivery.
Have a Question?
If you're raising Boschveld chickens, setting up free-range housing, exploring export options, or seeking guidance on our chickens, visit our Advice & FAQs page.
