Complete History and Care Guide for Barred Rock Chickens

Myers Poultry offers several brown egg laying hens, all of them with their own unique traits and attributes. Today, we're highlighting one of our favorite backyard layers: the Barred Plymouth Rock.

This breed has stood the test of time, but not without its challenges. In spite of its rocky start, as well as changes to breed standards over the years, they are now considered a mainstay in the world of homesteading and poultry farming.

Learn more about their origins and why this is one of our favorite go-to layer breeds.

Common Misconceptions

When referring to Barred Rocks, you may hear the name Plymouth Rock used interchangeably. However, Plymouth Rock refers to the breed itself, of which there are several color varieties: Barred, Buff, Partridge, and Blue, to name a few. Think of "Plymouth Rock" as the breed under which all color varieties fall under.

The Barred coloration is the original variety of the Plymouth Rock, which is why the terms are often used interchangeably. For the sake of accuracy and to limit confusion, it’s best to refer to them as Barred Rocks, or Barred Plymouth Rocks.


Another misconception is that any barred chicken is a Plymouth Barred Rock. That is not the case, as there are several other chicken breeds that display the barred feather pattern—Grey Broilers, Dominiques, and Cuckoo Marans all have barred feathers. Each one has their own distinct attributes and genetics that make them a separate breed.

History of the Barred Plymouth Rock Chicken

While many chicken breeds were developed in other countries before being brought to the United States, Barred Rocks were developed in the New England area. The first official documentation of an early Barred Rock chicken was in Massachusetts, 1849.

Barred Rock Chicken Breeders

It’s believed that several different breeds were crossed in order to achieve their distinct barred feather pattern and heavy-bodied frames. Among others, historians and Barred Rock breeders cite Cochins, Dominiques, and Black Javas as part of their lineage.

While it’s not clear exactly which breeds (or how much of their individual genetics) account for the Barred Rock breed we know and love today, it’s likely that all of these breeds played a part.

When first developing the breed, Barred Rock chicken breeders were trying to achieve a true dual-purpose bird that could keep families supplied with fresh eggs and meat year-round. The breed went through several iterations before being standardized and officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1874.


Standardizing the Breed

Before the APA recognized them, the breed was almost lost to time; after an initial rise in popularity, they essentially disappeared from the poultry world for two decades, with no documentation of the breed being shown or bred. The reasoning for this could be that several different strains were being developed, with no specific breed standards in place.

In 1869, they made a reappearance at a poultry exhibition in Massachusetts, the same state where they were originally developed. D.A. Upham showed his version of the Barred Plymouth Rock breed, and it's thought that this strain is what most closely resembles the breed we have today. 

What Were They Valued For?

At the time, growers were seeking to develop a reliable production layer that could also function as a table bird. For several decades, the Barred Rock reigned supreme in this category. At one point in time, this breed was the most widely kept bird in the United States among homesteaders, families, and farmers. They were even used to develop early broiler strains of chickens.

As of today, they are more valued for their beauty, easygoing personalities, and egg laying abilities. Some keepers breed them for show, as they are categorized under the American Class by the APA. While they are not as commonly used for meat production, they can still serve a dual-purpose role on the farm.

Typical Appearance and Attributes of the Breed

Plumage: Most notably, Barred Rock plumage is accented with thin, alternating black and white bars. The bars are stacked cleanly and closely together. This bird is already 1-2 pounds larger than other standard layers, but their dense plumage adds to the illusion, making them appear even larger.

Feet and shanks: This breed has yellow feet and shanks. Beaks are usually also yellow, but can be more of a pale ivory color.

Combs and wattles: This breed has bright red combs, wattles, and earlobes. The single comb has 5 sharply defined points, and should stand straight up. 

Hen vs rooster: Males are larger than females, with a more robust breast and taller posture. Females are slightly darker than males, so their barring is a bit more pronounced. Males have more white visible in their barred pattern, making it appear more blurred and not as sharply defined. Males also have longer tail feathers that are sickle shaped.

Difference between Barred Rock and Dominiques: The best way to tell the difference between a Dominique and a Barred Rock is to take a look at their overall size and the shape of the comb; Dominique chickens are smaller and have a rose comb, while Barred rocks are larger and have a single comb. 

Appearance as Baby Chicks and Development

When they are just hatched, Barred Rock chicks have soft black and white downy feathers. Males usually have a large, undefined white dot on their forehead, and females have a smaller, more defined dot—while not a foolproof method, this tip can help with early sexing.

They will develop their signature barred pattern as they become fully feathered. They typically develop their adult feathers around 8-12 weeks, and reach laying maturity by 16-20 weeks.

How to Properly Care for the Breed

Part of their enduring popularity stems from the fact that they are relatively easy to care for. They are cold-hardy and natural foragers, so they are suitable for pastured poultry or free-range settings.

The one area where keepers may need to monitor their Barred Rock chickens more closely is during extreme heat. They will tolerate hot weather, but they must be provided with ample shade, water, and areas to dust bathe to prevent heat stress.


Their dense, insulated plumage is an asset in the winter, but it can become a liability when temperatures are above 85 degrees.

Because they are fast growers, making sure they are getting enough protein in their complete feed is also a must. An adequately sized coop, as well as appropriately sized nesting boxes will be essential to accommodate their larger size.

5 Reasons to Add Barred Rocks to Your Flock

There are so many reasons to love this breed, and very few reasons not to. Their suitability for you ultimately depends on your climate, your coop size, and what you are looking for out of your backyard flock. Here are the top 5 reasons why we recommend them for our clientele.

1.     Cold-hardy

One of our favorite aspects is their hardiness and adaptability in cold weather. Myers Poultry is based in Pennsylvania, where winters are harsh and cold. This breed can withstand fairly cold temperatures, and still produce eggs in the winter, so long as they are kept in optimal conditions. 

2.     Dual-purpose

If you choose to raise them as a dual-purpose bird, they are heavy-bodied enough to be used for meat. They are one of the larger layer breeds, with a mature weight ranging from 6-8 pounds depending on the quality of care.

3.     Protective roosters


Roosters of this breed can be good for flock dynamics; they tend to be protective of the hens, yet friendly with their keepers if socialized properly from a young age. However, roosters of this breed tend to be loud, so they may not be suitable for a backyard setup if you have neighbors that are close by.

4.     Reliable egg production

They are not ranked among the most high-production breeds, but they still have good to great egg yield. Growers can expect anywhere between 200-280 large brown eggs per year.

For comparison—the top egg layer of all breeds, the White Leghorn—can lay between 300-320 eggs per year. Barred Rock egg color can vary in shade.

Every hen is an individual, so your hens could lay light tan eggs or more of a malty, peachy brown.

From our experience, Barred Rocks tend to lay brown eggs that are on the lighter side.

It’s possible for them to go broody, but not as likely as other breeds like Buff Orpington chickens or Brahmas. When they do set, this breed is known for their attentive mothering abilities.

5.     Friendly personalities

These birds are regarded as one of the friendlier layer breeds. Growers often cite their lack of flightiness and their curious nature. They make for a great family pet, especially if you have young children.

As a bonus, they typically get along well with other birds, so it’s not as difficult to integrate them into a flock. They usually sit in the middle of the pecking order, not being too dominant or too submissive.

Add Barred Rocks to your Flock with Myers Poultry

There's a reason this breed has endured over the years, despite early setbacks and a lack of cohesive breed standards. Today, Barred Rocks have proven their value on the farm, as they continue to make for a dependable, easygoing addition to any flock. 

Ready to bring this special breed into your backyard or homestead? Browse our available chicks or reach out to our customer care team with any questions—we're happy to help.