The American Hollands Chicken Thread & Census

[smoothmule]

How are these eggs at hatching when they are shipped eggs? I found a breeder in Maine and I will be buying some hatching eggs from her when it warms up some there.

 

[Pocket Farmer]

In my experience, hatching eggs that have been shipped is tricky. Even allowing them to "rest" 24 hours after I receive them, I'm getting at best, a 30% hatch rate. The air sacks become detached and the chick develops up until the last few days before hatching, when they can't move into the air pocket without tearing the membrane because it has attached itself to the chick instead of the shell.
Even so, if you are able to hatch out a few chicks each time, it gives you enough to work with. Last year, of the two that hatched from a breeder, one was a cockeral and I used him to breed my entire line this year. Next year, I'll be using the breeding stock I hatched from another breeder in the same way. Keep moving the line forward.

Does anyone else have a recommendation for improving the hatch rate from shipped hatching eggs?

 

[msladyhawke]

How are these eggs at hatching when they are shipped eggs?  I found a breeder in Maine and I will be buying some hatching eggs from her when it warms up some there.

Sadly i have had horrible hatch rates with shipped Holland eggs. The two times i tried they came from different people. Both were packed wonderfully. First hatch, 2 out of 6 hatched, second hatch, 1 out of 10. I know my incubator is fine, I've had 100% hatches in it of my bantam langshan eggs. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[smoothmule]

Sadly i have had horrible hatch rates with shipped Holland eggs. The two times i tried they came from different people. Both were packed wonderfully. First hatch, 2 out of 6 hatched, second hatch, 1 out of 10. I know my incubator is fine, I've had 100% hatches in it of my bantam langshan eggs. Frustrating to say the least.

I have to say that I accept that sort of risk. Even getting a single chick or two from another line is good to me, especially a nice cockerel who can make a bigger impact. A cockerel from a line separate from my small flock will add a lot. Her's are all white eggs and the legs are darker yellow than mine.

Does anyone know if the leg color will darken as they mature? I'm not real pleased with leg color on these chicks at this time. I really like them otherwise and I know there is work to be done so I want to get on it now.

I have found that the best way ever to ship hatching eggs is to ship them inside the shipping box with live birds. I shipped 6 eggs, packed in a small box that I taped to the bottom of a shipping box then added bedding and 2 good sized pullets to Florida. All 6 hatched.

 

[jenjscott]

I know the ALBC coordinated efforts nation wide to help the Buckeye breed, does anyone know if they're wiling to help the Barred Hollands in the same way?

I talked to ALBC over a year ago and they were talking about doing the same thing with the Hollands probably starting LAST spring or summer. I don't know what happened, but I have never heard back from them. Probably too much on their plate. But their program sounded much like the one you are talking about, and without theaddition of foundation breeds, pure old barred holland only. Of course I doubt there is much of that around.
Jen

 

[smoothmule]

I talked to ALBC over a year ago and they were talking about doing the same thing with the Hollands probably starting LAST spring or summer. I don't know what happened, but I have never heard back from them. Probably too much on their plate. But their program sounded much like the one you are talking about, and without theaddition of foundation breeds, pure old barred holland only. Of course I doubt there is much of that around.
Jen

I finally did get an email from Jeanette. She says she's very excited and plans to work with us. I also found another source for hatching eggs. I'll have to wait till it's warmer. She doesn't ship chicks or adults. She says all the eggs are white and legs yellow so I'm hopeful. I plan to maintain 2 small breeding groups. If I hatch some from this other breeder, I'll put the pullets in one of my breeding groups and the cockerels to the other. I plan to have about a dozen in each flock and each year, to improve on what I have and hopefully participate in a larger scale co-op

 

[smoothmule]

My Holland pullets are nearly 5 months old now. I can hardly wait to see the egg color. They are still in the wire pen but will soon be set up in their own pen. The weather has been so weird, 80 degrees one day, snowing and in the 20's within a 24 hour period. They are calling for a transition into spring finally, with no more subfreezing temps, I can only hope.

What is the standard weight for cockerels and pullets? What age are everyone's pullets laying?
I'll post photo's when I have my first eggs. I will be selling hatching eggs once I've verified fertility. PM me if interested.

 

[Gypsyheart]

I just live our Barred Hollands. We did get them from Ideal. We want to contribute to their come back. They are charming birds, gentle and hardy. They are a happy ho lucky breed that have a pretty sing song of contentment . We don't want any other kind and are avid enthusiasts. Our Roo is a big lanky fellow that crows all through he day. I'm interested in egg exchange and adult bird exchange. I will to do everything in my power to bring this wonderful chicken back from the brink. Thanks Ramon

 

[mhollow]

I have been working with Alison at the ALBC on a list of Holland breeders. If anybody her is interested in being added to the list, please forward (by PM if your wish) your name, contact information, number of breeding roos and number of breeding pullets. If you know the source of your flock please include that also. In addition, the ALBC is looking to contact Gracie Mae for information on the BH that she used to have. If anyone knows how to contact her please forward that information to me or Alison Martin at the ALBC.

 

[msladyhawke]

I have been working with Alison at the ALBC on a list of Holland breeders. If anybody her is interested in being added to the list, please forward (by PM if your wish) your name, contact information, number of breeding roos and number of breeding pullets. If you know the source of your flock please include that also. In addition, the ALBC is looking to contact Gracie Mae for information on the BH that she used to have. If anyone knows how to contact her please forward that information to me or Alison Martin at the ALBC.

I've tried to contact her (Gracie Mae) thru here and facebook and never got a response.