Barred Plymouth Rock
Dual purposeUnited StatesBeginner friendly
With its crisp black-and-white barred plumage, the Barred Rock is the classic American farm chicken — steady, sociable, and productive in nearly any climate. It lays well, dresses out respectably, and will happily follow you around the yard hoping for treats.
Eggs per year
200–280
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6.5–7.5 lbs
Temperament
Friendly and easygoing
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
Through World War II the Plymouth Rock was the most numerous chicken in America, prized as a backyard bird that fed families eggs and Sunday dinner alike.
Barred Plymouth Rock egg production
Expect roughly 200–280 brown eggs a year from a Barred Plymouth Rock in her prime — about 4–5 a week, or 17–23 dozen over the course of a year. That puts it among the more prolific backyard layers. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Barred Plymouth Rock is generally described as friendly and easygoing. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Barred Plymouth Rock rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Barred Plymouth Rockhen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Barred Plymouth Rock hen is a large bird at 6.5–7.5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Barred Plymouth Rock right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- Honestly, not much — this is a versatile all-rounder rather than a specialist
Barred Plymouth Rock FAQ
- How many eggs do Barred Plymouth Rock chickens lay?
- A healthy Barred Plymouth Rock hen lays about 200–280 brown eggs a year — roughly 4–5 a week, or 17–23 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Barred Plymouth Rocks lay?
- Barred Plymouth Rocks lay brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Barred Plymouth Rock chickens get?
- A Barred Plymouth Rock hen weighs roughly 6.5–7.5 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Barred Plymouth Rocks cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Barred Plymouth Rock is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Barred Plymouth Rocks good for beginners?
- Yes. The Barred Plymouth Rock is a forgiving, friendly and easygoing breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Barred Plymouth Rock hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Barred Plymouth Rock hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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