On the hunt for Hollands

[TeePants]

Hey y’all, long time no see!

We had fun with coturnix quail but ultimately they weren’t for us (my picky kids didn’t like the eggs, although the meat went over well!). We rehomed our flock at the start of the avian flu epidemic, but a recent yard remodel has left me with a large, empty area just begging for a coop and run…

In the early stages of planning on getting back into chickens. I’d like to keep a small flock (3-4 hens) of a heritage breed, and because I am hopeless, decided to check the Livestock Conservancy list to see if any tickled my fancy. The Holland immediately caught my eye - I was already considering Barred Rocks as they’re friendly and decent layers (my aunt had one growing up who tolerated all the kids horsing around her; which is pretty incredible when I think back on it). It seems like the Hollands are a bit more independent but share a lot of qualities with Rocks, which is neat. Plus, it’d be nice to help keep them around, although I live in a big city and we aren’t allowed Roos!

I did search the forum and found that at one point Ideal had them, but now all I can seem to find are small-operation project farms that only sell locally.

Anybody around here have these guys? I promised my wife no more projects until we pay off some debts and have money set aside for vacation with the kids, so this would be a summer 2025 thing at the soonest I figure tracking them down will keep me occupied in the meantime!

 

[saysfaa]

Sandhill Preserve in Iowa had them last time I checked. That could work for you if you have the flexibility in timing and numbers and such. He does things quite a bit different than most.

 

[TeePants]

Sandhill Preserve in Iowa had them last time I checked. That could work for you if you have the flexibility in timing and numbers and such. He does things quite a bit different than most.

Hmmm, well, I assume you mean he has a high minimum order? That could be ok if I can get some of the Washington group chicken folks in on it. Our yard is seriously too small for more than four chickens. There’s enough space for a run to give 10-12sqft per bird and then extra space to let them out during the day if the weather is nice and I’m out supervising but that’s kind of it. City living is a bummer sometimes.

I definitely am not in a hurry here. We are in “daydreaming” stage, lol.

 

[saysfaa]

Minimum order of 25
No sexing of the chicks
Order by snail mail.

Shipping date flexible - you can choose a shipping date but it isn't very firm - best to read his website and maybe comments other places as I'm not sure of the ins and outs.

I don't know him but my take is he is honorable, just does everything himself and in his own way. There are some distinct advantages ... many breeds that are very hard to find, very reasonable prices,...

I also like things like the more natural flock structure and conditions the chickens are kept in too - compared to the big hatcheries.

 

[EOD Daddy]

Just mailed an order for 15 Hollands, 5 RIR, and 5 Mixed Dorkings. Hopefully it goes smoothly I only live 4hrs away and am picking them up there. Which he pre-approved.
I picked several possible hatch dates. Hopefully it not a goat rope!!

 

[Fishsticks06]

Hey y’all, long time no see!

We had fun with coturnix quail but ultimately they weren’t for us (my picky kids didn’t like the eggs, although the meat went over well!). We rehomed our flock at the start of the avian flu epidemic, but a recent yard remodel has left me with a large, empty area just begging for a coop and run…

In the early stages of planning on getting back into chickens. I’d like to keep a small flock (3-4 hens) of a heritage breed, and because I am hopeless, decided to check the Livestock Conservancy list to see if any tickled my fancy. The Holland immediately caught my eye - I was already considering Barred Rocks as they’re friendly and decent layers (my aunt had one growing up who tolerated all the kids horsing around her; which is pretty incredible when I think back on it). It seems like the Hollands are a bit more independent but share a lot of qualities with Rocks, which is neat. Plus, it’d be nice to help keep them around, although I live in a big city and we aren’t allowed Roos!

I did search the forum and found that at one point Ideal had them, but now all I can seem to find are small-operation project farms that only sell locally.

Anybody around here have these guys? I promised my wife no more projects until we pay off some debts and have money set aside for vacation with the kids, so this would be a summer 2025 thing at the soonest I figure tracking them down will keep me occupied in the meantime!

As an owner of Hollands, I must address that this breed lacks a lot of consistency amongst breeders and has been extremely bottlenecked and a lot aren't true to breed anymore. I am lucky, as my Hollands are direct descendants of Rutgers original line. However, they've suffered a serious varsity issue within recent generations showing feather leakage, dermal melanin, poor fertility and hatch rates, etc. The contour feathers, comb points, carriage, etc. tend to be in line with the Standard but the occasional buff or golden leakage are automatic disqualifiers. A personable and approachable (though not cuddle-level) bird when conditioned that lays ~300 tinted eggs a year with reasonable lifespans of standard large fowl. Quite alert and timid if they're not familiarized with things and I don't foresee the roosters being the best guardians, but they're virtually easy-going or at least lack confrontational aggression.

As I said prior, characteristics vary widely from the few intact breeding flocks. You may or may not find these qualities in other birds. Contact respective breeders at https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/breeders-directory if you're interested in this breed but it is more deserving of conservationists who can bring this bird back to its former glory rather than a hobbyist who would probably find better success in other 'homestead' breeds. Good luck in your ventures.