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Plymouth Rock

The Plymouth Rock - especially the Barred variety - is the classic American homestead chicken. Big-bodied, calm, dependable layers of brown eggs, hardy in cold, easy to handle. The 'just give me eggs' bird.

About this breed

Quick facts: Plymouth Rock

OriginMassachusetts, USA - 1849
APA recognized1874
Conservation statusRecovering
Also calledBarred Rock, Rocks, PR
Adult weightRoosters 9.5 lb, Hens 7.5 lb
Size classStandard
Eggs per year~240
Egg colorBrown
Egg sizeLarge
BroodinessMedium
Cold hardinessExcellent
Heat toleranceGood
Noise levelQuiet
Flight tendencyCalm/won't fly
Beginner friendlyYes

History & origin

First exhibited at the Boston Poultry Show in 1849. Developed from crosses of Dominique, Cochin, Black Java, and Brahma. Created the dual-purpose bird American homesteaders needed: lays well year-round, dresses out at 7+ lbs, and survives New England winters. By 1900 it was the most popular chicken in the United States. Seven color varieties are APA-recognized; Barred remains dominant. The breed nearly disappeared after WWII as commercial hybrids took over - now slowly recovering thanks to heritage breeders.

Personality & temperament

calmfriendlycuriousdocile

Best for: eggs, meat, dual-purpose, beginner, family pet

Eggs & laying

Light to medium brown - lighter than Marans or Welsummer.

Husbandry & care

Indoor coop space4 sq ft per bird
Run space10 sq ft per bird
Roost bar10 in per bird

Space: Tolerates confinement extremely well. Heavy enough that 4-foot fencing contains them.

Feeding: Standard layer feed (16%). Tend to plumpen if overfed scratch; limit treats to 10% of diet.

Health: Sturdy. Watch hens for egg binding in their 3rd+ year - genetic prolific layers wear out reproductively.

Climate: Zones 3-10. Cold-hardiest American breed; comfortable down to 0F with dry, draft-free housing.

Buying tips

  • Barred is the icon, but Buff, Partridge, and Silver-Penciled are also APA-recognized.
  • Look for clean barring (sharp black/white contrast) on Barred Rocks - muddy gray = poor strain.
  • Yellow legs and skin are breed standard - if the chick has dark legs, it's not pure.
  • Buy from a breeder who's been raising Rocks for 5+ generations for best laying genetics.

Did you know?

  • Was the dominant US chicken breed from 1900 to 1950.
  • Barred Rocks descend from the New England Dominique through a Black Java cross.
  • One of the few breeds where roosters and hens look very different - males are lighter-barred than females.
  • Heritage strain still beats most modern production hybrids for total LIFETIME egg production.

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