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Plymouth Rock

The Plymouth Rock originated in New England in the 19th Century & were created by using breeds such as Dominique, Dorkings Cochins, etc.
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General Information

Breed Purpose
Dual Purpose
Comb
Single
Broodiness
Seldom
Climate Tolerance
All Climates
Egg Productivity
High
Egg Size
Large
Egg Color
Light Brown
Breed Temperament
Friendly, Easily handled, Bears confinement well, Docile
Breed Colors/Varieties
White, Partridge, Buff, Barred, Blue, Columbian, Silver Penciled, Black. RED
Breed Size
Large Fowl
APA/ABA Class
American
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The Plymouth Rock is a very popular duel-purpose American breed, known for their excellent laying ability, general hardiness, and calm good nature which makes them a good choice for small backyard flocks and homesteaders.

Chickens called "Plymouth Rocks" were shown as early as 1849, but that flock disappeared and later strains from several different breeders combined to form the foundation of today’s Plymouth Rock breed. Mr. D.A. Upham of Worcester, MA is credited as being one of the primary influences on the breed, he first exhibited his birds at the Worcester, MA poultry exhibition in 1869. His birds are generally acknowledged to be the ancestors of the breed we know today.

A number of different breeds are reputed to have gone into the formation of the Plymouth Rock, including Dominique, Brahma, Black Java and Cochin. The breed gained a great deal of popularity quickly and the Plymouth Rock became the most popular farm chicken in the United States up until WWII.

The original color of the breed was Barred and early in the breeds history the name "Plymouth Rock" implied a barred bird. Barred varieties remain the most popular color today. As more color varieties were developed, the name Plymouth Rock became the designation for the entire breed, which can now can be found in other colors including White, Buff, Partridge, Silver Penciled, Columbian and Blue.

The Barred Plymouth Rock was one of the breeds used as the foundation for the commercial broiler industry in the united States in the 1920's and the White Rock is still often used as the female side of the Cornish Rocks or Cornish Cross type commercial broiler cross.

They are single combed, quite winter hardy, and the hens are good layers of brown eggs. They are occasionally broody and make good setters and mothers.

The Plymouth Rock breed was recognized by the APA in 1874 and is on The Livestock Conservancy's Recovering list.

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Plymouth Rock juvenile
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Plymouth rock chicks

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Plymouth Rock hen

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Plymouth Rock rooster

For more information on Plymouth Rocks and their owners' and breeders' experiences with them, see our breed discussion here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-plymouth-rock.982643/
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Latest reviews

JewelsJj
Love my Babies
Pros: Sweet and very friendly
Cons: None
I have gotten 3 Barred Rocks, they’re 9 weeks old and the sweetest, friendliest birds. All 3 will sit on my lap or arm and snuggle in for pets. We have one girl Mabel, who’s so curious and funny. When transitioning to the coop from brooder ( brooder was inside ) we’d take them to the coop in a tub for a few hours, then gather them up to bring back in. Mabel jumped on top of the tub to “supervise” until all girls were inside the tub then she’d jump into the tub herself. She’d repeat the process when going back into their brooder as well. Just love her. Love this breed. We also have Gold Lace Wyandottes and those girls are the fighters seems to be. We have 3 Black Jersey Giants and equally sweet as Barred rocks but are very shy and quiet.
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Reactions: Jenbirdee
Grandma The Chicken
Pros: Really friendly and come in many colors.
I also have this breed of chicken. One of my chickens, Grandma is a brown Plymouth Rock (which can be mistaken as a Barnevelder). Unlike other Plymouth Rocks, Tony seems to be more anxious.
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Reactions: Jenbirdee and featherhead007
Addicted To Chickens
Pros: Social
Friendly
Cons: Can get picked on easily
I have some of these sweeties of my own and they are super sweet.I think they are nautrally social and loving to their humans.
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Comments

Zoo Keeper
I agree. Wasn't planning on getting any but when I went to get my husbands polish they had 2 barred rocks that were so friendly I couldn't pass them up. They are content to just sit on my hand. All my chickens are friendly and handled daily but these girls are definitely the sweetest.
 
ScrapHappy
We seem to have two White Rocks in our first flock of six pullets. They are the sweetest of the bunch. Very friendly. If it gets cold out, and I hold them in the sunshine, they will lay their heads right down in my lap. Our Golden Comets are nice too, but definitely the Rocks are the most personable. What a great first flock for us!
 
smilot
They were my first and she is still my Favorite. I loved her mate also although he had to leave the homestead because I have to sleep past 4am... We also had some white leghorns that were pretty aggressive. She put them in their place so they can hold their own, but I don't stand for aggression in my flock so off they went. She did't have to be the queen Bee after they left they all just seem to do their thing.
 
artnvic
where did u get your barreds from we also are getting ready to start some ( as soon as im done duilding there coop)
 
Chickgirl201040
Friendly and very cuios I got one this year and every time I open my mouth she pokes her head in there and tries to drink my spit her name is eve and I'm showing her in fair this year.
 
SkylaSilkie
Sorry you have to give away your chicken. If my dad made me give away my chicken, Rockslide(also a Rock), I would be heartbroken.
 
Mother2Hens
We purchased 6 "pullets" from Rural King last spring and ended up with 5 out of 6 being cockerels! If you're interested, you can read about it on my profile page. I feel for you because I know how frustrating and disappointing it is to raise them from chicks, and then have to give some away. We would like to get one more pullet to complete our flock, and are looking for a barred rock. Good luck with your situation. : - )
 
Kim95037
I really like mine too. But they havent gone broody once in the two years Ive had them. Which I dont mind, the silkie has all the broodiness I need.
 
Chicken Mommy
I adore my Plymouth Rocks! My favorite hen happens to be one, her name is Starburst. Everyday I carry her around the gardens and we walk around the gardens. She is very attached to me. Sometimes she want me to hold her on our walks...and to tell me so she'll stubbornly stand there squawking until i pick her up! Wonderful layers and pets!!!
 

Item information

Category
Chicken Breeds
Added by
Super Admin
Views
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Watchers
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Comments
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Reviews
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Last update
Rating
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