0431f373_one-patch-drama-queen.jpeg
0431f373_one-patch-drama-queen.jpeg

Barred Rock

Very tame nice breed that gives you big beautiful brown eggs. They aren't that loud and the...
Overview Reviews (235) Gallery
Leave a rating

General Information

Breed Purpose
Dual Purpose
Comb
Single
Broodiness
Average
Climate Tolerance
All Climates
Egg Productivity
Medium
Egg Size
Large
Egg Color
Brown
Breed Temperament
Kind, Skittish
Breed Colors/Varieties
Barred (black and white)
Breed Size
Large Fowl
APA/ABA Class
American
20170905_152814.jpg

Barred Rock Rooster​

The Plymouth Rock a.k.a. Barred 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.

ca7cc23e_chicks3.jpeg
Barred Rock chicks

BR pullet.jpg
Barred Rock Juvenile (pullet)

c0764186_20130908_163728.jpg
Barred Rock hen
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: RooRoo523, LMN1966, SapperSix2019 and 24 others

Latest reviews

BarredRock412
Pros: Great with kids, friendly, aware of predators, quiet.
Cons: Eats more than our two RIRs combined, often gets pecked on by others.
I love my barred rock. We bought her off craigslist from a breeder when she was about four months old. She's great with kids, loves being picked up and has never attacked, and absolutely LOVES people. Her feathers are extremely soft and she has a lot of fluff. She is very trusting and will fall asleep in my lap. The only time she is ever loud is if she sees a predator, she will squawk loudly and hide when she sees anything in the sky- airplanes, crows, literally anything. She doesn't even trust the family dog. She is a great layer but eats so much... it's shocking how much of a foodie she is. Since she is so docile, she is at the bottom of the pecking order and gets pecked on by the others. If you're looking for a family-friendly bird and great layer, I would highly recommend the barred rock.
Purchase Date
August 2020
  • Like
Reactions: RooRoo523 and SacredWaves
kbroom
kbroom
These Barred Rocks are so beautiful. I'd love to have those. I'm still in the decision stage. So far, I think I'll start out with just two babies. I'm still working on their coop. I have the actual core, but I must fence in underneath the back upstairs deck. It will be 20X20 X10. That should give them plenty of room. I was going to let them be free range, but after watching some videos, where a man said, "If you're going to be free range, just understand that you're going to have some dead chickens," I decided to keep them in a large cage. Their coop will be inside.
DesertGrrl
Pros: - Very gentle and calm birds.
- Makes cute sounds
- People friendly
Cons: - Don't do well in hot weather/climate.
- EATS A LOT OF FEED
My Barred Rock is totally awesome!
Does well with my other chick.
Very chill and laid back and loves sitting on my shoulder nicely.
She doesn't bite and is overall an amazing bird.
She will run up to me if I'm near the coop.

The Bad:
- My Barred Rock is very intolerant to hot weather (mostly black feathers is probably why) and will pant and have wings out (I live in the desert, but my Delaware does fine in this weather).
- Eats a lot of food almost non-stop.
They have a huge appetite for food.
Purchase Price
Free. Was a gift.
Purchase Date
Sept. 26, 2020
  • Like
Reactions: RooRoo523
RosiePosey
Pros: Great layer, easy keepers, larger sized.
Cons: Aggressive
We keep free-range chickens that just go in the coop at night so it's important to us to have a fairly protective rooster. Oreo is a fantastic protector of his ladies and treats them all well. He's fought off the neighbor's cat, a fox, and a hawk so far that we've seen. The downside to that is he sometimes thinks he needs to fight us off too! Somedays he's sweet and will eat out of your hand. The next day you round a corner or get out of the car and he's flapping up at you trying to get you with his spurs. The hens are aggressive with the other girls in our mixed flock too. The leghorns can hold their own but nobody else wants to be near them. They do lie a good sized egg consistently and for our purposes, they work. I probably wouldn't recommend this Roo for a more pet-type boy nor the hens for a mixed flock that is cooped as they may beat up the other girls.
  • Like
Reactions: kbroom
IslandRockFarm
IslandRockFarm
Same happens with us! They are great producers but they are mean hens. We had to move a couple hens to a different coop because they would bully, feather pluck, and wouldn't allow them to eat. This happened though after a mink attack where some hens died, and may have shifted the power dynamic.
  • Like
Reactions: kbroom
Sealizrus19
Sealizrus19
My hens are mean bullies too. Will probably never get more again...
Read more…

Comments

Sunnyacres nest
Your barred rock and sex links are a more docile breed then your RIR.That is why I went with the BR and SL this year and also the RSL and BR roos.I have 42 hens and 4 roos all together and no fighting at all.The RIR are good layers also but more moody.
 
Baby Chick Farm
Wow! How did you train Luna to know her name!? And does 'knowing her name' mean responding to your calling of her name? I would love to know! Thanks for sharing!
 
MamaInPajamas
I'll second orpington13. I absolutely love my barred rocks and they are my favorites. They are the friendliest of birds and they do tend to get more treats, but I think that's just because they come running when they see me so they always get there first.

On the other hand, I have a buff orpington that I don't particularly care for. She can be a bit of a bully and she'll peck us aggressively from time to time, especially my kids, so we have to show her who's boss and "peck" her back sometimes. I wouldn't ever get one again if I thought they were all like her... but I know others are very docile and friendly so maybe I'll give them another go...
 
slordaz
They do even out once they mature with the girls, as long as there is a good roo to hen ratio. They are very observant though don't wear shoes they are not used to you wearing they will attack things that are strange around the hens lol
 
AGuyWithSomeHen
I have two, both are quite friendly. One , That I call Betty Beggar likes to jump on my back or shoulder and nuzzle my neck, She also jumps the treat pan when I bring it out and starts eating before I even put it down. Very social toward me. I recommend the breed
 
Shezadandy
One of our Barred Rocks is the head pullet. She's really mean to the other Barred Rock pullet but LOVES the Buff Orpingtons and Speckled Sussexes. I hope your integration goes smoothly!
 
pennyJo1960
I have to agree, I let two red island roads go last night they both layed daily but always upset my coop. I am willing to go without the two eggs daily I have 5 Plymouth bard rocks that lay daily and 9 Light Brahmas that have just come of age to lay so all are under a year.
 
kaycountry1016
Hello, I just read your comment about Barred Rocks. I have 2 of them and they are the friendliest of my 8 chickens. (3RIR, 2BR, 1BA, 1BO, 1 SLW). I am undecided which I like the most but Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are my top choices for eggs. My BR's were the first ones to eat out of my hand and eventually jump on my shoulder--very sweet chickens..... I don't have any roosters (had one and gave it away). I thought he kept the girls upset and nervous. Things settled down after he was re-homed..

As far as I know, my RIR and BR and the rest of them get along ok in the coop and run.. I don't know if it makes any difference but they all grew up together as 2 week old chicks. Kay in NC... 1.28.16
 
marine43
I just found out my new flock will be arriving Weds : ) My other hens haven't laid since june, some are molting and as we all know winter is a slow time. Going to let them sit out the winter (no long artificial daylight) We went with barred rocks as well, the others are mix of rhodes and buckeyes. They will be 3 come March, so time to let some new kids take over. Hope mine start as early as Yours! Good luck with the flock : )
 
Lacrystol
He sounds WONDERFUL... I had a rooster that was big the minute you turned your back on him, he would strike. LOL funniest thing ever because he didn't hurt, he just didn't want you to ignore him..... Love to have some more....
 
ChickenLover200
I have had an excellent experience with my roo, Wings. He is very friendly and isn't too rough with the girls. I absolutely love his looks too!
 
kwhites634
I've had BR's that I bought as pullets, from a feed store, and never had a minute's problem from them, so maybe it's just a bad strain.
 
pennyJo1960
Mine are from a hatchery might pass as they start to lay, they may go after you then squat also
 
Mariejulianna
Mine were super scared until they started laying. Now they are the biggest sweeties!! They come for every treat!
 
10AcreChick
I just got a 4 month old Barred Rock rooster off Craigslist, and he is great! All my RIR hens follow his orders, and my Australorp snuggles up to him at night on the roost!
 

Item information

Category
Chicken Breeds
Added by
dylan729
Views
208,935
Watchers
56
Comments
403
Reviews
235
Last update
Rating
4.26 star(s) 244 ratings

More in Chicken Breeds

  • talkinboutchickens
    White plymouth rock
    With a super kind temperament and 4-6 eggs per week, you really can't go wrong with this breed!
  • Fluffy_Moth_With_Silkies
    Showgirl Silkies
    A showgirl silkie is a silkie with no feathers on their neck.
  • shelbyw
    Olandsk Dwarf
    Bright, social birds. Beautiful Plumage with speckles covering the body. Roosters rarely fight...
  • ChickenWhisperer101
    Wyandottes
    These birds are usually overall friendly, are good layers, and are very pretty.
  • Capto Veritas
    Australorp
    The Australorp is a docile, friendly, and easy going chicken. Several people find them great for...

Share this item

Back
Top Bottom