Burford Brown chicken is a breed of chicken that is known for its dark brown eggs. These chickens are originally from the United Kingdom and are a type of Marans chicken.
Burford Brown chickens are known for their docile temperament, making them popular among backyard chicken keepers. They are also good foragers and can adapt to different living conditions.
The dark brown thick-shelled eggs laid by Burford Brown chickens are highly sought after by many consumers and are known for their rich, flavorful taste. The eggs have a thick, sturdy shell and a deep, almost orange yolk, which is often prized by chefs and bakers for their superior quality.
All around, Burford Brown chickens are a popular choice for those looking to raise backyard chickens for both their egg-laying abilities and their friendly nature.
Facts About the Burford Brown Chicken
Contents
History
In 1980, Mr. Lee-Woolf (the grandson of Mabel Pearman) began commercially farming Burford Browns at the Millhampost farm in the Winchcombe area.
He provided Fortnum & Mason, a luxury department store in London, with eggs.
Famous London shops also caught on to the trend of selling these premium brown eggs.
At the time, the eggs laid by these hens were unlike any others. In British grocery stores, you could only find cheap, pale eggs from hybrid chickens.
Such white eggs were the industry norm and were mass-produced by commercial farms that prioritized efficiency over quality.
Sometime later, Mr. Lee-Woolf joined Clarence House and relocated to the Coach House farm on Broadway, where the famed ‘Clarence Court label helped propel the success of their eggs.
That seal of approval guaranteed that their hens’ eggs were of the highest possible standard.
After this, the eggs gained notoriety, and major grocery stores across the UK began stocking them.
Moreover, you can get these eggs from online retailers like Ocado and Amazon Fresh.
Philip Lee-Woolfe with his wife Janet left the Clarence Court record label after many fruitful years in order to focus on their lovely chicken farm, Legbars of Broadway.
In addition, they provide point-of-lay hens for sale in order to give everyone the pleasure of raising these unique birds in their backyards.
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Burford Brown chicken Appearance.
These breeds are of medium size and have a good proportion of meat to bone. They weigh somewhere between 5.5 and 6.1 pounds, and their size is comparable to that of a hybrid chicken.
The majority of this breed have feathers on their neck and chest that are copper-colored and can extend down to their abdomen. In contrast, the feathers on their body and wings are black, lustrous, and blue-green iridescent.
Some chickens may have feathers that are a darker shade of brown all over their bodies, and other hens might have feathers on their feet and legs.
The feathers have a satiny quality and are quite gentle to the touch.
They have such a single red comb that stands straight up and has points that are clearly defined. Moreover, the wattles and ear lobes of these birds are colored crimson.
Their beaks are black with brown tips, and their eyes are a coppery brown color similar to the color of copper.
Egg
Burford Brown is renowned for producing exceptionally dark brown eggs.
They are among the top brown egg producers, and their eggs are glossy, dark brown, thick-shelled, and have a rich texture and fantastic flavor.
By only 21–25 weeks, they have reached full maturity and can begin laying eggs. In their first year, they can produce between 220 and 240 high-quality eggs, each of which weighs roughly 60 grams.
They do their laying duty during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, and take a well-earned break during the colder months of winter.
If they are treated properly and kept in the right conditions, they will lay eggs regularly for years.
Temperament & Personality of Burford Browns.
The Burford Brown is a wonderful addition to any garden. As they are friendly and easy to train around kids, they make great pets for families.
They do not fare well in confined areas and require plenty of room to move about.
These brown chickens were bred in the United Kingdom to be extremely resilient, so they can survive even the coldest winters here.
These are rather quiet birds, making them a wonderful choice for an urban garden provided there is adequate room for them.
They have the potential to remain disease-free if they are adequately cared for and housed in the right conditions, thanks to their superior breeding.
They are not typically considered brooding, but it is possible.
Diet Requirements of Burford brown chicken
Chickens need high-quality layer feed beginning at the time of lay since their diet is so important (about four months of age).
In addition to eating their natural diet of meat, eggs, and milk, these animals will also enhance their diet with grass, clover, and perhaps other greens, as well as insects and beetles, thanks to their penchant for foraging.
Oyster shells (for extra calcium) and grit provided in a separate dish will also be necessary. Do not combine this with their regular diet.
As a rule, grit isn’t necessary if free ranging is permitted, yet it ought to be made available if they are confined due to avian flu regulations.
Protein intake may need to be increased during molting. There must always be access to clean water.
