Is the Barred Plymouth Rock or Black Copper Marans a better egg layer?

The Barred Plymouth Rock lays about 200–280 eggs a year; the Black Copper Marans lays about 150–200. The Barred Plymouth Rock is the stronger layer — about 200–280 eggs a year against the Black Copper Marans's 150–200.

Barred Plymouth Rock vs Black Copper Marans — which is better for beginners?

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

Barred Plymouth Rock photo: Thomas Kriese (CC BY 2.0) · Black Copper Marans photo: seppingsR (CC BY 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons

Barred Plymouth Rock vs Black Copper Marans

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

The Barred Plymouth Rock is the stronger layer — about 200–280 eggs a year against the Black Copper Marans's 150–200.

The Barred Plymouth Rock lays brown eggs; the Black Copper Marans lays chocolate brown.

In a hot, humid climate the Barred Plymouth Rock copes better than the Black Copper Marans.

Both dual purpose birdsBoth cold-hardyBoth beginner-friendlyBoth calm and easy to handle

Choose the Barred Plymouth Rock if you want…

More eggs — up to 280 a year
Better through summer heat

Full Barred Plymouth Rock profile →

Choose the Black Copper Marans if you want…

Chocolate brown eggs for the basket

Full Black Copper Marans profile →

Side by side

Trait	Barred Plymouth Rock	Black Copper Marans
Purpose	Dual purpose	Dual purpose
Eggs per year	✓200–280	150–200
Egg color	Brown	Chocolate brown
Egg size	Large	Large
Hen weight	6.5–7.5 lbs	6–7 lbs
Temperament	Friendly and easygoing	Gentle and quiet
Cold hardy	Yes	Yes
Heat tolerant	Yes	No
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

Barred Plymouth Rock vs Rhode Island Red Barred Plymouth Rock vs Wyandotte Australorp vs Barred Plymouth Rock Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique Australorp vs Black Copper Marans Black Copper Marans vs Rhode Island Red

Or browse every comparison · see all 51 breeds

Barred Plymouth Rock or Black Copper Marans — 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.