Is the Australorp or Barred Plymouth Rock a better egg layer?

The Australorp lays about 200–280 eggs a year; the Barred Plymouth Rock lays about 200–280. On eggs it's close — expect roughly 200–280 a year from the Australorp and 200–280 from the Barred Plymouth Rock.

Australorp vs Barred Plymouth Rock — which is better for beginners?

Both the Australorp and the Barred Plymouth Rock are beginner-friendly and forgiving of first-time mistakes.

Australorp photo: JTdale (CC BY 3.0) · Barred Plymouth Rock photo: Thomas Kriese (CC BY 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons

Australorp vs Barred Plymouth Rock

Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.

The quick verdict

On eggs it's close — expect roughly 200–280 a year from the Australorp and 200–280 from the Barred Plymouth Rock.

These two are remarkably close on paper — near-twins in size, hardiness, and temperament — so the choice usually comes down to looks, egg color, and what your local breeder has in stock.

Both dual purpose birdsBoth lay brown eggsBoth cold-hardyBoth handle heat wellBoth beginner-friendlyBoth calm and easy to handle

Choose the Australorp if you want…

Nearly identical on paper — comes down to looks and what's available locally

Full Australorp profile →

Choose the Barred Plymouth Rock if you want…

Nearly identical on paper — comes down to looks and what's available locally

Full Barred Plymouth Rock profile →

Side by side

Trait	Australorp	Barred Plymouth Rock
Purpose	Dual purpose	Dual purpose
Eggs per year	200–280	200–280
Egg color	Brown	Brown
Egg size	Large	Large
Hen weight	6.5–8 lbs	6.5–7.5 lbs
Temperament	Gentle and calm	Friendly and easygoing
Cold hardy	Yes	Yes
Heat tolerant	Yes	Yes
Broodiness	Sometimes broody	Sometimes broody
Beginner friendly	Yes	Yes

Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.

More head-to-heads

Australorp vs Rhode Island Red Australorp vs Buff Orpington Australorp vs Wyandotte Barred Plymouth Rock vs Rhode Island Red Barred Plymouth Rock vs Wyandotte Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique

Or browse every comparison · see all 50 breeds

Australorp or Barred Plymouth Rock — track whichever you pick

Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.