Hollands

The head of a Barred Holland rooster
Photo courtesy of Fitch Farms

Hollands were admitted to the APA Standard of Perfection in 1949. Two varieties are recognized, Barred and White. It is a heavy, dual purpose breed which lays white eggs.

Hollands were developed to get a large bird that laid white eggs. Unlike the European North Holland Blue, on which it was modeled and whose blood it in part carries, the Holland has yellow legs and skin. The North Holland Blue has white legs and skin and lays a tinted egg.

The North Holland Blue is found in Cuckoo, not Barred and females are much darker than males. In England they are standardized with feathered legs (mostly to distinguish them from the Marans), although the Dutch birds are clean legged.