Nordholländisches Huhn

A traditional Dutch egg-laying breed from the province of North Holland, specifically the Waterland and Zaanstreek regions north of Amsterdam. The Noord-Hollands Hoen (often called the North Holland Blue in English despite its official name) is actually most recognised in its cuckoo-barred blue-grey plumage, though it also appears in white and black. It is a medium-sized, active bird bred for reliable white-egg production in the early 20th century, developed by crossing local Dutch farm chickens with imported American breeds such as the Barred Plymouth Rock. The result was a hardy, productive layer well-suited to the damp, windy polder landscape. By the 1970s the breed was near extinction, but Dutch poultry conservationists rescued it. Now recognised by the EE Europastandard and kept by a growing number of Dutch and Belgian enthusiasts.