Can someone explain the different Plymouth Rock chickens?

[Jayecookie]

I am really confused. So you have your Plymouth Barred rock but then there are White Rocks and Buff rocks. When you refer to a Plymouth Rock chickens most people Assume Barred rocks(which i have). How did we get the different types? I guess what im trying to say is i dont understand that if Plymouth is the breed and the other stuff is the coat why do there abilities differ so much? Shouldn't we just consider them as all different breeds how are they still considered the same there so different.

 

[MagpieDucks]

This may not be the best explanation but here goes...

There is the one breed. Let's use Plymouth Rock as an example. Within each breed there are varieties (colors). Like: Buff, White, Barred, Blue, etc.

All the varieties are going to have the same specific body shape, comb type, leg color, skin color, weight, etc as each other but, they are different varieties (color). Does that kinda make sense??

 

[Jayecookie]

This may not be the best explanation but here goes...

There is the one breed. Let's use Plymouth Rock as an example. Within each breed there are varieties (colors). Like: Buff, White, Barred, Blue, etc.

All the varieties are going to have the same specific body shape, comb type, leg color, skin color, weight, etc as each other but, they are different varieties (color). Does that kinda make sense??

I guess

 

[junebuggena]

The original Plymouth Rock is the Barred variety. All varieties have the same breed standard for conformation. The different varieties were developed individually, though. So while they are all technically the same breed, they are all unrelated.
To be considered a different breed, a population must have at least 5 physical characteristics that differ from other breeds. Since the varieties of Rocks only differ in plumage, none qualify to be categorized as their own, individual breeds.