Barred rock versus white rock

[mbracht]

Hi,
I would like to cross some type of "rock" hen with my dark cornish roosters. Does anyone know which would be the better cross in terms of meat quantity and quality and also rate of maturity? Also do you know if the white rocks will come out white? My white giant crosses were all black.

Thanks!

 

[Whittni]

Barred and white rocks are basically the same thing. However, white rocks are usually crossed for meat production. The color of the offspring depends on the genetics of the parent breeds.

 

[aoxa]

White rocks usually have more size than barred rocks, unless you have a good strain of the BPR. Many breeders of the Barred Variety use the whites to increase the size.

The whites don't have the pesky pin feathers on the plucked carcass.. well they do, but you can't see them like you can on the barred..

 

[donrae]

Barred hens should give you sex linked chicks, if that's a consideration.

I think the white rocks are larger, little bit.

I've heard some white Rocks have dominant white, some are silver. And some of the dominant white birds, the white is masking barring. I think they're a mystery until you start breeding them.

 

[mbracht]

Thanks for all the great information. I think I will go with the white rocks.