Plymouth Rock Chicken: The Ultimate Guide
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The Plymouth Rock chicken breed is well-known for its hardiness, heat and cold tolerance, and friendly personality. They also lay large brown eggs, making them an excellent choice for backyard chicken enthusiasts.
History of the Plymouth Rock chicken breed
The Plymouth Rock chicken breed is one of America's oldest and most popular breeds dating back to the mid-1800s. They were named after the famous landing place of the Pilgrims when they arrived in America. "Barred Rocks" were among the first Plymouth Rocks and are still among small farms' most popular dual-purpose chickens today. The Barred Rock was among the Top 9 Chicken Breeds for Sale in 2022.
The Barred variety was America's most extensively bred chicken breed through World War II due to its dual-purpose qualities. The government even encouraged their breeding during this time because of their large egg production capabilities.
The personality of a Plymouth Rock chicken
Plymouth Rocks are another breed whose males are often recommended as good roosters for the home flock, as they tend to be calm and more friendly compared to some roosters.
The hens are friendly and make a great backyard pets for families with children. They do tend to go broody and make good mothers.
The appearance of a Plymouth Rock chicken
The Plymouth Rocks' skin and legs are yellow; they have clean legs and a single comb. The hens average 7.5 lbs, and roosters average 9.5 lbs.
The recognized Plymouth Rock chicken feather varieties are: Barred (large fowl and bantam), White, Silver Penciled, Blue, Buff, Columbian, and Partridge.
Egg color and production of Plymouth Rock chickens
The hens are considered good layers of large brown eggs and annually lay 200-250.
Care and health of Plymouth Rock chickens
Though Barred Rocks tolerate confinement, they're happiest when they range freely. They are heat and cold-tolerant, although if you keep a barred rock rooster in a colder climate, you should watch his comb to help avoid frostbite. Their average lifespan is 6-12 years. Read more about this breed in our Chicken Breed List.
Do you have any Plymouth Rocks in your flock? Share your Plymouth Rock chicken story with us in the comments below.
If you don't have any Plymouth Rocks in your flock yet, check out our day-old chicks.
