People love Barred Rock chickens because of their resilience and easygoing nature. These qualities make them so popular with homesteaders.
I don’t bar the Ball from being called Barred Rocks, as they are a subgroup of Plymouth Rocks.
History Of Barred Rock Chickens
Barred Rocks originated in 1869 in Massachusetts. In 1829, America’s first chicken show showcased one of the eight types of Plymouth Rocks that originated in Boston. The American Poultry Association approved this breed in 1874.
The goal of this breed was to make a bird that could both lay eggs well and be big enough to make meat.
The first Plymouth Rocks were made by crossing a Java with a Barred Chicken, or maybe a Cochin. Barred is talking about the design on the feathers in this case.
Appearance Of Barred Rock chickens
With their black and white feathers, Barred Rocks look a lot like Cuckoo Marans. There are a few key changes that help with the correct identification. For example, the floppy comb (not straight) and the brighter white on the feathers make the difference.
We got Marans and Barred Rocks at the same time, and they look a lot alike from the time they were chicks until now. As you can see in the picture, they are easy to tell apart when they are together. When they are alone, though, we can tell them apart by their floppy combs. Some things that all of these dogs have in common are: Comb is bright red Bright red earlobes, Medium to large bright red wattles, Fluffy Feathers, and White Barred Feathers with Large Single comb.
Keep in mind that they can be floppy because of the size of their combs. In some types, this means the are sick, but not with Barred Rocks quite often. They fall to one side because their combs are too big and don’t have enough support to stand up straight.
Weight Of Barred Rock Chickens
On average, Barred Rock males put on an impressive 9.5 lbs, while hens go up to 7.5lbs. They are large fluffy feathers that make them look even bigger and adorable.
The Barred Rocks are bigger or about the same size as our other chicken breeds. We think this is because our other breeds are bigger and can handle the cold better than our Columbian Wyandottes.
Lifespan
Barred Rock chickens live an average of 6 to 8 years in a garden, which is longer than most chickens who live between 3 and 7 years.
They live around 10-12 years in ideal circumstances but their meat is reduced significantly as they get older.
Egg Color & Production
This is when most breeds start laying eggs, which is between 18 and 20 weeks (4.5 to 5 months).
Four or more big brown eggs every week. With the right food and care, they can lay 200 eggs in their first year. Take note that as chickens age, they lay fewer eggs (10–15%) each year until they stop laying eggs all together.
Some breeds, like Isa Browns, lay more eggs than this breed, but it’s important to note that our Barred Rocks were the first layers in our group, laying eggs very close to 18 weeks.
Breeding Of Rock Chickens
Barred Rock chickens are known for being moody and wanting to sit on a nest all the time. Our Barred Rocks often show signs of being sad. They are great mothers because they have soft feathers and a strong need to care for others.
If the Barred Rocks will let the rooster sit on them, they can breed normally, without any help from people or artificial insemination. This doesn’t happen very often in our coop because our Barred Rocks are so high up on the food chain.
Hardiness
The Plymouth Barred Rock is known for being able to handle both heat and cold.
Barred Rocks have plenty of thick feathers that keep them warm in the winter. They are the best of both worlds. Rock chickens also have big wattles and a floppy comb that let air cool down their bodies when they’re moving through their system in warm weather.
They are heat tolerant, but it’s better to provide shade when it’s hot outside. They should be kept warm & given clean water. Check their combs and feets for signs of frosting in the winter. Most likely, they won’t require extras like a warmer or brooder in the winter unless.
Health Issue
Barred Rock chickens have a strong immune system and don’t catch diseases if vaccinated properly. You should still keep a close eye on them to protect them from parasitesThey can still get parasites and other worms.
To make sure they don’t have any deficits, we put vitamins in their water as a safety measure. This is very important for young birds that are still getting used to being with the group.
Heat stroke is the most likely sickness this breed will get. They have a lot of feathers, which can make it hard for them to survive in very hot weather.
The White Plymouth Rock is said to be immune to Marek’s, a disease that can kill any flock.
Meat Production
Because they are bigger than most chickens, they are good for making meat.
When they are killed for meat, Barred Rocks are thought to have more dark meat than other kinds. They also don’t make as much breast meat as breeds that are bred to do that, like the Cornish Cross.
Noise Level
When it comes to noise, Barred Rocks are above average. Because of this, they are not a good choice for more urban farms in areas with lots of people. They’d be good for farms in more distant areas, thank you.
Considering that the hen makes a lot of noise and the roosters always crow. We definitely wouldn’t suggest this breed of rooster for places with a lot of people.
We have a lot of Barred Rocks, and they make loud noises all the time. No matter if they are interested or just want to walk around, they run. I would even say that they often make more noise than our bird.
I think these are louder than Leghorns, which are known for their notorious singing.
Temperament
People often say that Barred Rock chickens are calm and docile.
We also have a few Plymouth Barred Rocks, and they have never been mean to us. They’re not as friendly, though, and they don’t like being petted as much as some breeds, like Golden Comets.
Because they are calm, they would get along well with kids.
Even though Barred Rocks aren’t mean, they are at the top of our flock’s food chain. They are so sweet that we call them “Queens of the Coop.”
Rock Chickens tend to be the meanest and most violent toward new chickens in the coop because they are the most powerful. They will also chase our rooster if they see him riding a hen and think he is hurting one of their hens.
Housing Requirements
Because they are big birds, Cuckoo Marans need 4 square feet of space in their coop for each bird. Our coop is safe from predators and doesn’t get too cold, but it’s still not warm.
No problems with our Barred Rocks during the winter, even on days when the wind chill dropped to -22°F (-23°C).
Birds should have 10 square feet of space each in a fenced-in run to be happy and healthy.
When it’s hot and sunny outside, we keep our chickens on a run with a roof that lets in a lot of air. They can also go into the house, which is usually cooler and in the shade. This was enough for days when it was warm and over 90 degrees.
Summary Of Barred Rock Chickens
The Barred Rock is a hen that can live on farms of all sizes or in people’s backyards. It is good wherever you need a quiet, reliable egg layer.
The bird’s quiet behavior is a good sign for living in a city where neighbors are always a concern.
If they are free to roam, the feathers protect them from being eaten, and you can keep a rooster as an “early warning system” to let you know when something is wrong.
Of course, animal guards, whether they are dogs or something else, can help with this.
The Barred Rocks I’ve kept have always been quiet birds that did their business without making a fuss. They like being around people, especially when they get treats.
Some Barred Rocks hens will lay enough eggs for a small family every week, plus some extra, so they make up for the food and fun they give you.