Barred Rock Chickens: A Smart Addition to Your Flock
Are you looking for a hardy, friendly, and productive addition to your chicken coop? Look no further than Barred Rock Chickens!
This breed has been around for centuries and is a favorite for a very good reason. Let’s take a look at why Barred Rock Chickens are so popular.
I love this friendly, hardy bird because it is perfect for anyone wanting to keep chickens. I find that they are low maintenance and easy to care for.
This breed is also called Plymouth Rock chickens, but this name actually belongs to the entire breed, not just the Barred variety. So to be completely accurate this is about the Plymouth Barred Rock chicken.
There are seven colors of Plymouth Rock chickens that I know of and they are: barred, blue, buff, Columbian, partridge, silver-penciled and white.
What is a Barred Rock Chicken?
The Barred Rock Chicken is an American heritage breed that has been around since the mid-1800s.
It was developed from crosses between other breeds. They are believed to be bred from Minorcas, Langshans, Cochins, and Dorkings.
The name is appropriate as it has black and white barring on its feathers. It is often confused with the Dominique breed but the combs are different.
Not only are Barred Rock chickens beautiful to look at, but more importantly, they are an incredibly hardy breed that can withstand cold temperatures and tough weather conditions.
This makes it an excellent breed for beginner chicken owners.
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Chicken Keeping – What you Need to Know!
Are you thinking of raising chickens in your backyard? Congratulations! Not only do chickens make great pets and provide delicious eggs, but they are also a fun and rewarding hobby.
Are Barred Rocks Good Chickens?
Barred rocks are one of the most intelligent breeds of chickens out there. They enjoy socializing with each other and people, making them an ideal pet and addition to any backyard flock.
They get along with other breeds, and even the Roosters are considered more docile than other breeds.
Though I must confess I had one Barred Rock hen that was pretty spunky and took on a Pit Bull dog that had gotten into the pen. She jumped on his back and was yanking out tufts of hair with her beak as she clawed him.
It was so funny, she clung to him tight as he tried to shake her off but she was protecting the rest of the flock and she let him know he made a big mistake getting into their pen.
Thankfully he was still a pup and was easy enough for me to extract from the pen once I shooed her off. I nicknamed her “Mean Mama” after that.
Barred rocks also have good memories—they recognize their owners and will often come when called if you take the time to get them comfy with you.
another great egg layer
ISA Brown Chickens
If you’re looking for a pet chicken that is low-maintenance, friendly, and incredibly productive, then look no further than an Isa Brown. Often touted as the “perfect” chicken breed, Isa Browns are intelligent, adaptable birds that make excellent pets and backyard chickens.
Are Barred Rocks Good Egg Layers?
Yes, so if you want fresh eggs on a regular basis, barred rocks are an excellent choice.
On average, a barred rock hen can lay four medium to large, light brown eggs per week—though some may lay more for the first two years!
The eggs have thick shells and high yolk content, making them great additions to dishes like omelets or frittatas.
Plus, they tend to lay throughout the year rather than seasonally—so if you want fresh eggs year-round, this breed is definitely worth adding to your flock.
Do Barred Rock Hens Go Broody?
I have had Barred Rock hens over the years and did not notice them going broody easily.
Some breeds show more of a tendency towards broodiness and for me, the Barred Rocks did not.
Hardiness
Barred rocks can handle a wide range of temperatures – from hot and humid areas to cold winter weather – without much trouble at all.
They rarely get sick or suffer from parasites so you won’t have to worry about them too much!
Plus, due to their docile nature and good temperaments, they’re perfect pets who are rarely aggressive towards children or people in general. The more you handle them when chicks or young the more docile they are.
So if you’re looking for an easy-going addition to your backyard flock that provides delicious fresh eggs year round, then barred rock chickens might just be the right choice for you!
Not only do these birds require minimal maintenance and care but they also make wonderful pets due to their intelligence and friendly personalities. So what are you waiting for? Add some barred rocks to your flock today!
I often get my chickens and chicks from local farm supply stores but I have also directly ordered from hatcheries. Here are a few favorites I have used:
