Created to be a dual-purpose breed, the Holland chicken is a beautiful barred bird. According to the United States Livestock Conservancy, this breed may be the most rare breed of chicken still living today.
Hens are good layers of eggs, laying around 200 medium white eggs per year. They rarely go broody.
Jump to:
Holland Chicken Breed Quick Info
Holland Chicken Description
| Holland Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Barred, White |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Yellow |
| Skin Color: | Yellow |
| Holland Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Holland Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Holland breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “endangered” status |
Holland Use
| Meat | Yes |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | Yes |
| Holland Temperament: | Calm, active |
| Holland Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Holland Egg Production
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 200 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Low |
Holland Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | 6 lbs |
| Dressed Weight Female | 5 lbs |
Holland Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Good |
| Cold | Good |
Holland Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 6 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 4-5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 6 Months |
Holland Size at Maturity
| Male | 8.5 lbs |
| Female | 6.5 lbs |
Origins of Holland Chicken
The Holland breed was developed in New Jersey during the 1930s, in the United States. Much of the breeding stock, including Leghorns, Australorps, and Rhode Island Reds, was imported from Holland.
White eggs were considered a delicacy during that time period, and dual-purpose chickens were sought after. The Holland was created to fill this need.
Some Things to Know About Holland Chicken
The Holland chicken breed has yellow legs, a pale yellow beak, red wattle and earlobes, and a red single comb.
The plumage is compact, and the color varies but is usually either barred or white. The white variety has almost died out due to a lack of popularity.
How Easy is it to Keep Holland Chickens?
Holland chickens have a calm and sweet temperament, making them ideal pet chickens. They prefer being free range over being in confinement, so do not require constant care, which means they are an excellent choice for beginner chicken owners.
They are low maintenance and are good in farm conditions. They enjoy interacting with humans and are not noisy. They are also good in the heat and cold, making them a true hardy chicken breed.
Overall, this is an excellent breed for backyard chicken owners and homesteaders – beginners, seasoned pros, and families with children alike.
Special Care and Considerations for Holland Chickens
Although this breed is hardy in cold environments, like all chickens with large single combs, they are prone to get frostbite in low temperatures. You can use a swipe of vaseline on their comb to prevent it from freezing.
