Chicken Breed Focus - Holland

[sumi]

The Holland is a rather rare breed, unusual in that it is a non-Mediterranean class breed that lays white eggs. It is an excellent dual-purpose breed and a good laying hen with a calm, quiet temperament. It is becoming popular with small flock owners looking for a calmer white egg layer to add to a mixed flock for a colorful egg basket.

They are a good sized bird that is slow growing, but are good free range birds and excellent foragers. They are single combed with medium sized comb and wattles. They are quite weather hardy, tolerating both heat and cold. They come in two colors, barred and white, though barred is the primary color today. The hens will brood occasionally and they are excellent mothers.

They were developed in the 1930’s by the Rutgers University Breeding Farm in New Jersey, USA as a dual-purpose white egg layer, in response to the American market’s preference for white table eggs, since at that time all other dual-purpose breeds were brown egg layers. Various breeds were used in its development including birds imported from Holland (hence the name). Imports including The North Holland Blue as well as local Leghorns, Australorps and Barred Plymouth Rocks were used to create the Barred Holland. It was first introduced to the public in 1934.

It was recognized by the APA in 1949 and is on The Livestock Conservancy’s list as a breed in Critical status.

Note: They are available from Ideal Poultry.

Details:

Breed purpose: Dual Purpose, white egg layer
Comb Type: Single, medium sized.
Broodiness: Occasional
Climate Tolerance: All Climates
Weight: Roosters 8.5 lbs and hens 6.5 lbs.
Egg Productivity: Good
Egg Size: Medium-Large
Egg Colour: White



Holland cockbird @Pocket Farmer


Holland Cockerel @Cheralee


Holland pair @Blarneyeggs


Holland Pullet @caychris


Holland Chicks @msladyhawke

BYC Breed reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/holland

General breed discussions & FAQ thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/407357/barred-holland-breed-of-chickens/0_20

Link to a Breed Census on BYC:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/468111/the-american-hollands-chicken-thread-census/0_20


Do you own Hollands? Are you a Holland breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[rjohns39]

I raise and sell Barred Hollands. I got my stock from Suzanne Holland a few years ago. I breed them to increase their numbers as they are critically endangered.

 

[paintedChix]

Well, out with the old and in with the NEW YEAR.

I found a breeder in our state listed on the directory of The Livestock Conservancy. Not too far away, either.

Got in contact and wow, she's got them available. We are working out when I'll be picking them up. Not new chicks - started pullets and cockerels. 8 & 2 or may up the numbers somewhat.

So I did my Livestock Conservancy membership and double checked my APA membership... Updated it but until it's recognized, can't access the SOP for Hollands. Will go back over that, while I wait to get eggs. Hoping I can get eggs and maybe incubate some before March of this year...

I can't wait!

 

[Kelsie2290]

I've gotten a couple of these from SandHill. The ones I have do lay a true white egg (some people have gotten ones from SH that lay a more cream egg), decent layers 4-5 a week first lay cycle.
They are nice tempered bird, no problem with the flock, a lot lot calmer than the other white / Mediterranean class white egg layers. They aren't that big, the girls maybe five pounds.

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

Thanks for the post. I hadn’t heard of this breed.

 

[Cjsgnn]

WOW!!! Have never heard of that breed. I've got a Dominique and a Barred Rock.... They do look similar. Thank you for all this information!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How does this breed's temperament compare with the Dominique and the Plymouth Barred Rock in real life? The catalog describes the latter two breeds as "calm, gentle," and "docile, friendly, adaptable," respectively. I currently have a calm flock of 25 with no bullies, consisting primarily of Black Australorps (10), Easter Eggers (8), and Brown Leghorns (5), plus two males. I won't have BLs again, they are too nervous and flighty for my tastes, so I'm looking for calm white egg layers that will fit seamlessly into my existing flock.

 

[rjohns39]

How does this breed's temperament compare with the Dominique and the Plymouth Barred Rock in real life? The catalog describes the latter two breeds as "calm, gentle," and "docile, friendly, adaptable," respectively. I currently have a calm flock of 25 with no bullies, consisting primarily of Black Australorps (10), Easter Eggers (8), and Brown Leghorns (5), plus two males. I won't have BLs again, they are too nervous and flighty for my tastes, so I'm looking for calm white egg layers that will fit seamlessly into my existing flock.

Happy New Year

I don't have experience with the Dominique or PBR so I can't compare. What I can say is they are the sweetest birds that I've owned. They are calm, friendly, good tempered birds.

 

[tommysgirl]

How does this breed's temperament compare with the Dominique and the Plymouth Barred Rock in real life? The catalog describes the latter two breeds as "calm, gentle," and "docile, friendly, adaptable," respectively. I currently have a calm flock of 25 with no bullies, consisting primarily of Black Australorps (10), Easter Eggers (8), and Brown Leghorns (5), plus two males. I won't have BLs again, they are too nervous and flighty for my tastes, so I'm looking for calm white egg layers that will fit seamlessly into my existing flock.

I know your post is almost a year old but I wanted to tell you that another great, calm docile white egg layer is the Dorking. Another that is also great fun is the California Grey. The hens are curious and friendly and they aren't at all skittish.

 

[Clucked Up]

The Holland photos are quite similar to my Barred Rocks. I recently acquired 2 more 6 month olds, which are a lighter grey with paler legs. I believe them to be Dominique.