I never show mine, either, never planned to. I just love Barred Rocks, hatchery, heritage, whatever. To me, they are the quintessential backyard or barnyard chicken. I also am very fond of my blue, black and splash Rocks, but the barreds will always be my first love.
My Stukel line Barred Rocks are the best eye candy, huge sweet hens who will still brood and forage with the best of 'em.
I have two 5 1/2 year old hens from McMurray parents, eggs given to me by my friend Kate (helmstead on BYC), who lay, though Amanda has some issues with arthritis and the heat is beginning to bother her now more than usual. Becca lays 4 eggs per week right now, not too shabby for an old girl, 'eh?
And I have Fern, a BR from hatchery parents, raised as a lone chick by a broody banty Cochin, who is almost 4 years old now, lays 6 eggs a week, sometimes 7, even at her age. Fern's daughter, Barbara, is very small-bodied with a wonky comb, but she lays HUGE eggs every day.
The BBS Rocks are great layers of jumbo eggs-they are over 2 years old now, except for the splash, who younger and is just going into her first big molt and lays a bit less often at the moment, but is still laying. My Rocks don't seem to stop long to molt until they are much older.
So, you really can't go wrong with Rocks, IMO.
