🐾 Land🐦 FlyingCare difficulty: IntermediateLegal complexity: Low

White Holland

Meleagris gallopavo · also called White Holland Turkey, Holland White

A historic white-plumaged heritage turkey once the dominant commercial white before the Broad-Breasted White displaced it. It is a calm, naturally mating dual-purpose bird now listed as threatened by conservation groups.

Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.

🩺 Need expert help with your white holland?

Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.

💬 Ask a vet in the community

Quick facts

Size	Standard heritage turkey. Toms 25-36 lb (11-16 kg), hens 18-20 lb (8-9 kg)
Lifespan	5–10 years
Social needs	group
Native region	United States / Europe
Family	Phasianidae
Genus	Meleagris

Part of the Turkey breeds

Recognized turkey breeds — selectively bred for type, purpose, and appearance.

Beltsville Small White Black (Spanish) Turkey Bourbon Red Broad Breasted Bronze Broad Breasted White Narragansett Royal Palm Slate Standard Bronze

Habitat & space requirements

From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.

Photo coming soon

Minimum

Coop + run

10 sq ft/bird coop + 25 sq ft/bird run

Medium-large heritage turkey: ~10 sq ft of coop floor per bird, sturdy roosts at 2–3 ft, and a 25 sq ft/bird run with shade and dust bath. Predator-proof construction is non-negotiable.

Photo coming soon

Recommended

Larger coop + bigger run

15 sq ft/bird coop + 50–75 sq ft/bird run

More room reduces aggression and lets toms display. Heritage White Hollands can fly short distances — fences need to be tall or wings trimmed. Provide dust bath, shade, and varied forage.

Photo coming soon

Ideal

Pasture range with secure coop

Locked roost barn + pasture/orchard free-range

Free-range pasture or orchard with insects, greens, and seeds, plus a locked roost barn at night. Heritage White Hollands are excellent foragers and thrive in low-density pasture-based husbandry.

Life & growth stages

How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.

Photo coming soon

Egg

Birds develop inside a hard-shelled egg incubated by the parent(s). Egg size, shell color, and clutch size vary by species; the embryo develops over days to weeks before hatching.

Photo coming soon

Hatchling / Chick

Hatchlings are either altricial — naked, blind, and dependent on parents (typical of parrots and songbirds) — or precocial — downy, mobile, and self-feeding soon after hatching (typical of poultry and waterfowl). Down gives way to the first feathers.

Photo coming soon

Juvenile / Fledgling

Fledglings grow in their juvenile plumage and begin to fly and feed themselves, though they may still beg from parents at first. Juvenile feathering is often duller than the adult and is replaced as the bird matures.

Adult

Adults attain full body size and mature plumage, and are capable of breeding. Many species show distinct adult coloration, and in sexually dimorphic birds males and females differ in plumage, size, or markings.

Habitat & enclosure

Provide a draft-free, well-ventilated coop or barn with elevated roosts and at least 6-10 sq ft per bird indoors, plus a large secure outdoor run or range. Heritage turkeys roost and benefit from room to fly up; fence ranges (electric or 5-6 ft netting) against predators. Keep litter dry to prevent foot and respiratory problems.

Diet

Feed a 28% protein game-bird/turkey starter for poults, stepping down to a 20-22% grower and a 16-18% maintenance/breeder ration. Supplement with greens, insects, and forage on pasture; provide grit and free-choice oyster shell for laying hens. Always supply clean water, especially for young poults.

Behavior & temperament

Calm, docile, and manageable dual-purpose (meat and eggs) bird. Unlike industrial strains it mates naturally and hens can go broody and raise their own poults. Toms display and gobble in breeding season; generally good foragers and reasonably hardy on range.

Health

Poults are susceptible to blackhead disease (histomoniasis) when ranged with or after chickens, and to coccidiosis and chilling in the first weeks. Adults are largely robust. As a slower-growing heritage line it avoids the leg, heart, and mobility problems of broad-breasted commercial turkeys.

Tips, DIY & hacks

Brood poults warm (95°F week one, dropping ~5°F weekly) and start them on high-protein feed. Avoid co-ranging young turkeys with chickens to reduce blackhead risk and rotate pasture. Select breeders for vigor and natural mating to preserve the heritage line. White pinfeathers give a clean carcass, a historic selling point.

Sources

White Holland Turkey - The Livestock Conservancy (conservation)
White Holland turkey - Wikipedia (encyclopedia)
Wikipedia: White Holland (wiki)