Barred Rock Chickens: Breed Profile

Barred Rock chickens, also called Barred Plymouth Rocks, are a classic American dual-purpose breed with black-and-white striped feathers. Hens start laying at 18 to 20 weeks and give about 200 medium brown eggs a year. They’re calm, cold hardy, and one of the best first chickens you can choose. Here’s what to know, including what they’ve been like on our homestead.

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The Plymouth Barred Rock Chicken is the first breed of chickens I had when I was just starting out. I knew absolutely nothing about chickens (remember, I am a fisherman’s daughter) and my mother-in-law helped me get started. She was correct in recommending the Barred Rock Chicken as a starter breed.

Easy to have around, they seemed to make having chickens effortless. They were eager to go foraging, but always returned to the coop to lay and roost. It was fun watching them around the yard chasing bugs and scratching under fallen leaves.

In my second year of having chickens, a few of my now 1 year old hens, started getting broody. I gave each one a few eggs to hatch. First, it’s amazing how a broody hen will sit on her eggs for 21 days, seldom getting up to eat, drink or poo. Her concern is her eggs and she does everything she can to hatch healthy chicks.

Second, it is fascinating watching a mother hen care for her brood. She will scratch at the dirt, then call for her chicks who quickly run over to see what she found to eat. When they get cold, she spreads her wings a bit and crouches down to let the chicks cuddle up against her warm body until they are warm again. Then it’s back out and about.

Background of Barred Rock Chickens

Barred Rocks are one of the oldest and best-loved American heritage breeds. They were developed in Massachusetts in the 1800s and first shown in Boston in 1849. Early breeders crossed barred Dominique roosters with Black Javas, along with other breeds. The breed’s official name is the Plymouth Rock, and it comes in several varieties: Barred, Blue, Buff, Partridge, Silver Penciled, Columbian, White, and Black (bantam only).

Characteristics of Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens

These are the characteristics of the Barred Plymouth Rock Chicken. It is how you can identify them as well as decide if you want to add them to your flock.

Appearance

They have black and white barred feathers. Barred refers to the pattern of their feathers. This makes for a very distinct and interesting pattern. Their fluffy feathers give them a full curvy shape.

A large single red comb can usually flop to one side. In other breeds, a flopping comb can be a sign of illness, however in the Barred Rock chicken, it is normal in healthy birds.

Though they are similar to Cuckoo Marans, with their black and white feathers, the differences are more pronounced white feathers on the Barred Rock chicken and a floppy comb.

Barred Rock Chickens also sport medium to large bright red wattles, bright red earlobes, and yellow legs.

Barred Rock vs. Dominique

The Dominique is the breed most often mistaken for a Barred Rock, since both have black-and-white barred feathers. The easiest way to tell them apart is the comb: Dominiques have a flat rose comb, while Barred Rocks have a tall single comb. Barred Rocks are also the larger bird.

Purpose

Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens are considered a dual purpose bird. This means the breed lays lots of eggs and is big enough to produce meat. They do have more dark meat than other chicken breeds.

Size

Barred Rock chickens are a larger breed. Roosters, on average, weigh around 9 to 10 pounds and hens can average 7.5 lbs.

Lifespan

In the care and safety of backyard confinement, Barred rocks can live up to 6-8 years, with the average lifespan being 3-7 years.

Though they can naturally live up to 8 years, being a dual purpose bird, the lifespan tends to be shorter. Egg production drops as the hen ages so they are often converted for meat at that point.

Production

They mature and start laying around 18 to 20 weeks of age and produce around 200 medium, brown eggs per year. As noted earlier, egg production decreases after 2 to 3 years of age, typically after the first molt.

Hardiness

With the large comb and wattles of the Barred Rock chicken, there is a risk of frostbite. However, overall they are a very cold hardy breed. Their fluffy feathers help insulate and keep them warm. They can forage outside in extreme cold as long as they have good shelter for them to return to away from the elements.

They handle heat just as well as cold, although they do need shade from the hot sun.

Temperament

Easy going temperaments make them a joy to have around. They all have their own personalities, but they are friendly and don’t mind you being around, especially when you have treats. If you feed them regularly, instead of having an auto feeder, they can even be trained to come when you call them.

Barred Rock Roosters

Barred Rock roosters are big birds, usually 9 to 10 pounds, with a large single comb and long, curved tail feathers. Their barring looks lighter than the hens’ because their white bands are wider.

In our flock, Barred Rock roosters haven’t been much different from roosters of other breeds. They’re protective of their flock and keep an eye out for their hens. As with any rooster, temperament varies from bird to bird.

How to Tell Barred Rock Hens from Roosters

• As chicks: Barred Rock chicks are black with a white spot on top of the head. Males usually have a bigger, more spread-out spot than females.
• As adults: roosters look lighter overall, with wider white bars, and grow bigger combs, wattles, and curved tail feathers. Hens look darker, with narrower white bars.

Broodiness

The Barred Rock chicken breed often goes broody. Broodiness is their instinct to commit to sit on a nest of eggs for the 21 days required for them to hatch. Once their brood hatches, they are great mothers and attentively care for the chicks.

Confinement

With a coop and a chicken run, this breed will happily stay put. When given the chance, they love to be out foraging and chasing bugs. With both as options, this makes them a good breed for beginners.

Foraging Ability

When allowed to free range, Barred Plymouth Rock chickens are good foragers. They will run for cover when a predator approaches, but they’re still easy for predators to catch. Perhaps they get too distracted by the search of snacks??

Noise

This is a talkative breed, but not loud. When nearby, you can hear them happily clucking to each other, but it is not loud or obnoxious. However, if you walk away, you won’t hear them anymore. Because of this, they make a good breed to have if you live in town.

Barred Rock Chicken Breed Summary

Purpose	Dual
Appearance	Barred black and white feathers
Size	roosters 9.5lbs, hens 7.5 lbs
Lifespan	3 to 7 years
Maturity	20 weeks
Estimate Annual Production	200 eggs
Egg Color	Brown
Egg Size	Medium
Broodiness	Can be broody
Temperament	Docile and friendly
Hardiness	both cold and heat
Foraging	good, but easily captured by predators

Barred Rock Chicken FAQ

When do Barred Rocks start laying?

Around 18 to 20 weeks old.

What color eggs do Barred Rocks lay?

Medium brown eggs, about 200 a year.

How long do Barred Rock chickens live?

Usually 3 to 7 years, and up to about 8 with good care.

Are Barred Rock roosters aggressive?

In our experience, no more than other breeds. They’re protective of their flock, and each rooster has his own personality.

Are Barred Rocks good for beginners?

Yes. They were my first chickens, and they’re calm, hardy, and happy in a run or free ranging.

Final Thoughts

The Barred Rock Chicken breed is a great starter chicken breed for beginners. Their docile temperament, happiness either in confinement or free ranging, hardiness, and good egg production make them an all around good chicken for your flock.

Have you raised Barred Rock chickens? What is your experience?