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White eggs brought a premium price in the 1930s, and Rutgers Breeding Farm resolved to create a dual-purpose chicken that would lay white eggs. They crossed breeds imported from Holland with White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire and Lamona. Through careful selection, the White Holland was created. About the same time, they created the Barred Holland by crossing White Leghorn, Barred Plymouth Rock, Australorp and Brown Leghorn.
The farmers much preferred the Barred Holland, maybe because the Barred Plymouth Rock was quite popular at this time. The Barred Holland produces a good amount of large white eggs while also being well-fleshed. The White Holland was never as popular and is most likely extinct. Hollands have acquired a reputation for being ideally suited to farm life. The Hollands are now one of the most-endangered American breeds of chickens.
“They were developed so the small farmer who didn’t have a market for brown eggs would have white eggs from a meaty bird,” says Duane Urch, a member of the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities. “They are a good bird for homesteaders and small acreages. Hollands like to run and are good foragers. They are not a timid breed, but they are not aggressive either.” Hollands are an excellent choice if you want a productive breed and you have a preference for white eggs.
To learn more about this interesting breed, read "Enjoy Heritage Chickens" at Mother Earth News.
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