Chicken Breed Focus - Holland

[BY Bob]

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.

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They are an attractive chicken Bob. Thanks for helping to keep them around!

 

[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.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

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.

Thank you!

 

[JShipes]

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/

 

[JShipes]

The Barred Hollands really need work from dedicated breeders (of which there are a few, fortunately). The ones I have are not particularly good production layers, I have 8 hens and they average between 3 and 4 eggs a week at their peak. They are very calm and easy to manage compared to any other white egg layer I have had. If their productivity is improved by good breeding, they will be excellent small flock layers.

I suspect that White Hollands are extinct. It would be interesting to hear from anyone that has them (or had them in the past) regarding their status.

I just found out that my "barred rocks" are actually Hollands. My girl laid a white egg, which was confusing, because barred rocks lay brownish eggs. I was informed that she is a Holland.

(The top three eggs are from my brahmas, the two bottom brown eggs are from my silver laced wyandottes. The white egg came from my little barred Holland. )

 

[Tillyschickens]

The Barred Hollands really need work from dedicated breeders (of which there are a few, fortunately). The ones I have are not particularly good production layers, I have 8 hens and they average between 3 and 4 eggs a week at their peak. They are very calm and easy to manage compared to any other white egg layer I have had. If their productivity is improved by good breeding, they will be excellent small flock layers.

I suspect that White Hollands are extinct. It would be interesting to hear from anyone that has them (or had them in the past) regarding their status.

This is my pure black north Holland blue. I have 4 if this breed the rest are barred but Pingu here pictured below is a right little character I would to see a white Holland I do hope they aren't extinct

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I do not see a white earlobe on these, do I? Or am I missing it due to my small phone screen?

 

[PioneerChicks]

This is my pure black north Holland blue. I have 4 if this breed the rest are barred but Pingu here pictured below is a right little character I would to see a white Holland I do hope they aren't extinct

If you dive deep into more obscure sources than the APA, there is talk of using North Holland Blues as part of the Holland parentage. We know some of the original birds came from Holland, and it would make extra sense if it was this breed.

I do not see a white earlobe on these, do I? Or am I missing it due to my small phone screen?

They're supposed to have red earlobes, though white eggs. A bit unique!

 

[JT Poultry]

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.

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I would love to buy some breeding stock from someone.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I would love to buy some breeding stock from someone.

Try asking on the Barred Holland Chicken Facebook group. I think there are two big breeders who ship right now. Not including Sandhill, cause I've heard they're difficult to work with.