- Jun 28, 2011
- 39,162
- 27,289
- 1,302
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/
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/
Last edited by a moderator:
