Holland
Dual purpose · United States · 🌱 Beginner friendly
The Holland was developed at Rutgers University to solve a specific Depression-era problem: farmers wanted a meaty dual-purpose bird that laid the white eggs markets paid more for. It succeeded quietly and then nearly disappeared, making it one of the rarest American breeds today.
Eggs per year
200–240
Egg color
White
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Calm and adaptable
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
Despite the Dutch name — a nod to some of its foundation stock — the Holland is thoroughly American, admitted to the Standard in 1949.
Is the Holland right for your flock?
Expect roughly 200–240 white eggs a year from a healthy hen in her prime — production dips during molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as she ages. Planning space? A Holland hen runs 6–7 lbs, so size the coop with our coop size calculator and estimate the feed bill with the feed cost calculator.
