The Barred Plymouth Rock chicken originated from a cross between a Dominique rooster and either a black Java or a Black Cochin hen in the mid eighteen hundreds. The Barred Rock chicken is truly one of the best dual purpose birds a hardy bird even in cold weather, it is also docile, tame, and active. Barred Rocks like to run, but they don't demand much space. Also, due to their heavy structures, they don't fly, meaning you don't need a fence to be too high to accommodate their needs. They don't need much to thrive, so are very easy to keep and breed. The Barred rock males and females have an upright carriage and are graceful, stylish birds. The hens are rarely broody but are good mothers and roosters matures early into a broiler. The Barred Rocks are a great practical addition to any flock for every day in the year use.
Adult Birds description : Barred Rocks have long, broad bodies with a well-rounded moderately deep breasts. All of their feathering are black and white horizontal lines (barring) that extend out to their moderately short tails, which are spread well in the roosters but tend to be a bit shorter and twice as much black per line in the hens making them much darker . Their combs are red medium size, single comb evenly serrated with 5 well-defined points that are straight upright. Their beak feet and leg are yellow.
Baby Chick description: The chicks are black with a white spot on the top of their heads. The wing tips and abdomen are white and they have single or serrated combs. The beaks, feet, and legs are yellow with some black.
Origin: United States
Classification Type: Americans class
Temperament: adaptable to confinement or free range, calm and docile.
Purpose: dual purpose eggs laying and meat production
Broodiness: not generally but make good mothers
Hardiness : cold hardy
Maturing : 20-22 weeks
Mating ratio : 10 females to 1 male
Egg color: brown
Egg Size: large 26-27 oz per dozens
Rate Of Lay: excellent
Eggs per year: 280- 300
Skin Color: yellow
Comb Color: red
Ear lobes: red
Wattles: moderately long & well-rounded
Weight: Hen 7 lbs Rooster: 9 1/2 lbs
Pullet 6 lbs Cockerel 8 lbs
Roost height: 2ft – 4ft
Spacing: confined at all times 10 square feet per bird. Confined at night only at least 4 square feet of space per bird.
Life Span: depends on how well they are cared for, and the quality of life that they enjoyed. A standard Barred Plymouth Rock will generally live for approximately 6-8 years but have been known to reach 10-12 years.
Varieties: Barred — Buff– Silver– Penciled – White – Partridge- Columbian – Blue
Some Other facts about this breeds: are that the Barred Plymouth Rocks are commonly incorrectly referred to as "Dominiquer". Both the Plymouth Barred Rock and the Dominiquer have the same horizontal black and white barring color line plumage. However, the Dominique have a slightly more angular body and a rose comb.