The White Rock Chickens are a real star. It will do its job on the farm and can be a good dinner for everyone. Plymouth Rock, the first location of this American breed, inspired its name.
The White Rock is really a type of Plymouth Rock dog, though it is sometimes called a separate breed. The Plymouth Rock dog can be any color, including white.
People who like chicken might even call the White Rock the White Plymouth Rock. It’s kind of like how the Orpington chicken got its name… You can find Orpingtons like Buff, Jubilee, Splash, and more.
There should not be too much talk about this breed of chicken, no matter how many words are used to describe it. People in America fell in love with the White Plymouth Rock because it had everything a farm could need.
History of White Rock Chickens
They first underwent breeding in White Rock, Massachusetts, in the late 1800s, hence the name “White Rock”.
Their job was to lay eggs for sale and raise meat for farms and families. They bred this chicken to be tough, friendly, and able to handle cold weather to meet the high demand.
Commercial chicken farms and homesteaders continue to favor the White Rock due to its ability to produce high-quality eggs and meat. They are an old breed of bird that can live inside or outside.
Appearance of White Rock Chickens
In fact, the Plymouth Rock can be barred, buff, silver-plated, Columbian, or blue. But for now, we’re only going to talk about the white version of this breed.
When they hatch, the White Rock’s combs are yellow, and when they reach adulthood, they turn bright red. Their legs stay yellow. As soon as the combs start to change, every day fresh eggs won’t be long after.
It’s impossible to believe how white the White Rock is. This is the chicken that lived on my great-grandmother’s farm and helped to make breakfast.
These are the chickens depicted in old, rough farmhouse drawings. They have been doing the chicken chores for a long time. During the winter, White Rock is often one of the fluffiest chickens in the flock. They are great for cold places because their feathers are soft and fluffy.
Size of White Rock Chickens
People think of the White Rock as a standard-sized chicken, but it is actually a bit bigger. They can grow up to 8 pounds, and they look bigger than their original size because of their fluffy feathers. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are still the ideal size for the holiday dinner family.
Egg Laying of White Rock Chickens
As far as meat goes, the Cornish Cross is king. When it comes to eggs, the White Rock is queen. If these birds are healthy and happy, they can lay almost an egg every day. If you love the warm color of a big brown egg, this is the hen for you.
The Rock chickens and the Rhode Island Red are famous as the most productive egg-laying hens. The white rock chickens lay well over 200 eggs per year.
The Meat of the White Rock Chickens
White Rock is famous for laying eggs, but she’s also a great chicken to have around for dinner.
Because she is a larger breed, the amount of meat she gives off is just right. The Rock’s dual-purpose nature is evident in its breeding.
Hardiness
The White Rock chickens were bred to live in cold regions, so they are very hardy in the winter.
When the weather gets cold, those fluffy feathers keep the bird warm. This type of chicken, on the other hand, only has one comb, which makes it more likely to get very cold.
People who live in areas where it gets below zero can keep their chickens in well-insulated coops and put Vaseline on their combs to help keep them warm.
Hens will keep laying eggs all winter long as long as they are happy and have everything they need to do well because the White Rock are build to handle the cold weather in Massachusetts.
Free Range on the White Rock
The White Rock chicken is another forager that you can add to your backyard group. They were originally bred to be homesteaders’ chickens.
If protein-rich plants are nearby, they will happily eat them. After a long day’s work, they will come to the coop for whatever they think they might need. One bad thing about the pretty snow-white bird is that it can’t hide like some other kinds of chickens can.
Surprisingly, an attacker is more likely to see and kill a white chicken than one with darker feathers or spots that help it blend in. Even so, the White Rock is still a smart chicken that knows to watch out for both flying and earthly enemies.
Lifespan
Their average life span is 8 to 10 years, which is long for an egg and meat bird. However, some chicken keepers have heard of chickens that lived past 10 years old.
Conclusion
The American Poultry Standard first identified it in the 1880s. The White Rock Chicken is a heritage breed. Despite their toughness and independence, the Livestock Conservancy once placed them on a list of “threatened” species.