Are heritage Barred Rocks worth waiting/paying extra for?

[whitenack]

Hey all. We are getting ready to start our 2nd year of backyard chicken farming and I have a question about heritage barred rocks. To make a long story short, we purchased 6 chickens last year that were supposed to be all barred rocks. There was a mixup at the hatchery and we got 2 BR and 4 black sex links. Of the barred rock, one is female and one is male. The female is a little runt of a thing, or so I assume, since I have nothing else to compare it to. It isn't the big dual purpose bird that I was expecting. Is this due to it being a "production" bird and not a heritage? We would like to start raising chicks for dual production, but I'm not sure it will be worthwhile if this is the size of a normal BR.

Is there an actual difference between the heritage BR and what I would get at a hatchery? If so, are there any suggestions on where I could get some heritage BR online?

 

[nuthatched]

What hatchery did you order from?
It seems you got the bottom of the barrel in terms of even hatchery birds, which are smaller than breeder birds.
Depending on what you want them for, (breeding for sustained eggs and meat) it could be worth it to you.
Barred rocks aren't a breed, Barred is the color, Plymouth Rock is the breed and they come in about 7 colors/patterns.
Heritage Rocks are maybe slightly meatier, but the main difference is their feathering pattern. Plymouth Rocks are not huge chickens, hens are about 4-5 lbs, Roos are 6-7, maybe 8.

 

[whitenack]

What hatchery did you order from?
It seems you got the bottom of the barrel in terms of even hatchery birds, which are smaller than breeder birds.
Depending on what you want them for, (breeding for sustained eggs and meat) it could be worth it to you.
Barred rocks aren't a breed, Barred is the color, Plymouth Rock is the breed and they come in about 7 colors/patterns.
Heritage Rocks are maybe slightly meatier, but the main difference is their feathering pattern. Plymouth Rocks are not huge chickens, hens are about 4-5 lbs, Roos are 6-7, maybe 8.

We got the chicks from a local "hatchery", which was really a local kid that had turned a school project into a part-time hobby/job. I can't get upset, the kid made a mistake.

Thanks for the reminder about the correct terminology (breed vs color). You are absolutely right.

So there isn't much meat/weight difference between the heritage and the hatchery birds? Yes, I am interested in breeding them for eggs/meat/education.

 

[nuthatched]

We got the chicks from a local "hatchery", which was really a local kid that had turned a school project into a part-time hobby/job. I can't get upset, the kid made a mistake.

Thanks for the reminder about the correct terminology (breed vs color). You are absolutely right.

So there isn't much meat/weight difference between the heritage and the hatchery birds? Yes, I am interested in breeding them for eggs/meat/education.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a pest on terminology.
No, not much difference in weight, unfortunately. You can get heritage birds from hatcheries like Meyers and I think Cackle, but they'll still be smaller since that's just the nature of hatchery birds. If you can find a breeder, maybe with show quality stock, you'll be better off.
Have you considered any other breeds for dual purpose? My hatchery Sussex are heftier than my hatchery Rocks and I'm sure there are other breeds that be suitable.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I love Plymouth Rocks, but there are larger birds out there. Is there a reason you want to stick with Rocks?

 

[Folly's place]

As a newer chicken owner, try some other breeds that look interesting too. Henderson's Breed Chart and feathersite are good places to scan, and the Livestock breed Conservancy. There are so many choices!!!
Hatchery stock will vary, often tending towards smaller birds, because egg production is most important when the business is selling chicks. Show breeders may focus on looks, and ignore egg production qualities. Ask the breeder, if you are going for show quality birds.
We've been very happy with our Cackle chicks, over several years, and multiple breeds. Murray McMurray has been good too. If there's a hatchery close to where you live, see what they offer.
Your approximate location helps; cold weather of hot all year? Breed choices will vary.
Mary

 

[MysteryChicken]

Heritage Plymouth Barred Rock chicks are huge compared to regular hatchery quality Barred rocks.

I have Heritage Plymouth Barred Rocks.

 

[Folly's place]

Love the good barring on the 'real' Plymouth Rocks too!
Mary

 

[MysteryChicken]

Love the good barring on the 'real' Plymouth Rocks too!
Mary

Wanna see mine?

 

[Folly's place]

Pictures! love pictures!
Mary