The Boschvelder was bred by a South African farmer named Michael Bosch as a way to deal with the tick problem he was having with his cattle. The Boschvelder chicken was bred from crosses between three types of free-range breeds, that is Venda, Ovambo and Matabele indigenous chickens. The goal was to create a free-range breed of chicken that would eat the ticks that infested his cattle at watering holes. The result is a hardy, dual-purpose breed that is very active and curious. They are technically recognized as a synthetic indigenous breed.
Maturing at around 6 month, hens produce 220-240 large, light brown eggs per year. They have a tendency to go broody with negatively impacts egg counts.
They should have a single red comb and wattles. Generally brown with white and black colouring in their feathers.
They are not the best choice for families with young children or a fear of birds. They are known to be aggressive: hens are usually at the top of the pecking order and roosters can be aggressive to people – real macho men who will protect their ladies from any threats… which is what you want from a guardian on rooster free ranging with your flock.
The Boschvelder is an adept free-ranger, thriving on the veld. Intelligent, active, observant and hardy. Of all the breeds that we keep at Livingseeds Hatchery, Boschvelders are probably the breed most able to produce meat and eggs off of rocks. A true dual-purpose bird, although not as productive as the big four (Australorp, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Light Sussex), a real low maintenance “veld hoender”.