Are Barred Rocks good for beginners?

Yes. Ohio State lists Plymouth Rocks among the breeds that may be good choices for the novice backyard keeper, and Mississippi State describes them as docile.

What color eggs do Barred Rocks lay?

Brown eggs, according to Mississippi State Extension, and Ohio State rates them large.

Are Barred Rocks cold hardy?

Yes. Ohio State describes Plymouth Rocks as dual-purpose birds that do not mind the cold.

Are Barred Rocks friendly with kids?

Their calm, docile nature makes them a common pick for families. Mississippi State and Ohio State both describe the breed as docile. As with any chicken, show kids how to hold a hen gently with her wings tucked in.

Is a Barred Rock the same as a Plymouth Rock?

A Barred Rock is the barred (black-and-white striped) variety of the Plymouth Rock breed. It was the first variety, admitted to the American Standard in 1874; White, Buff, Partridge, Silver Penciled, Columbian and Blue came later.

Barred Plymouth Rock

The black-and-white striped backyard favorite: calm, cold-hardy and a top pick for beginners.

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Barred Plymouth Rock at a glance

Medium, dual-purpose

Status: APA breed, American class. Barred variety admitted 1874, in the first American Standard.[1][2]
Origin: Developed in America in the mid-1800s; first exhibited in 1869 at Worcester, Massachusetts.[3][2]
Egg color: Brown[3][4]
Eggs per year: 200–280[5]
Egg size: Large[6]
Weight: Standard 9.5 lb rooster, 7.5 lb hen. Mississippi State gives a much lower backyard range of 4 to 7 lb.[4][3]
Bantam: Yes (Barred bantam admitted 1940).[1]
Temperament: Docile.[3][6]
Good for beginners: Ohio State lists Plymouth Rocks among good choices for novice keepers.[6]
Broodiness: Goes broody and makes a good mother.[6][3]
Cold: Does not mind the cold.[6]
Varieties: Barred (1874), White (1888), Buff (1894), Silver Penciled (1907), Partridge (1909), Columbian (1910), Blue (1920)[1]
Conservation: Not on the Livestock Conservancy's priority list.[7]
How to spot one: Black-and-white barred feathers, single comb, red earlobes, yellow skin and yellow, clean shanks.[4]

Facts no source backs up are left out. Updated October 26, 2026 (how we check).

The Barred Plymouth Rock, usually just called the Barred Rock, is the black-and-white striped hen that's been scratching around American farmyards since the 1800s. It's calm, productive and hardy, and it shows up on almost every "best breeds for beginners" list for good reason.

A true American original

Plymouth Rocks were developed in America in the mid-1800s, says Mississippi State Extension. Illinois Extension notes the barred birds were first exhibited in 1869 at Worcester, Massachusetts, and the Barred variety was admitted to the very first American Standard of Excellence in 1874.

The barred pattern was only the start. Illinois Extension lists the later varieties: White (1888), Buff (1894), Silver Penciled (1907), Partridge (1909), Columbian (1910) and Blue (1920). "Barred Rock" means the original striped one.

Eggs

University of New Hampshire Extension puts the Barred Rock at 200 to 280 eggs a year. The eggs are brown (Mississippi State) and large (Ohio State). That's a steady, generous supply for a family, from a bird that's also big enough for meat, which is why it's called dual-purpose.

Raising pullets? Plug their hatch date into our Laying Calculator to see when to expect the first egg, then keep count in the Egg Log.

Temperament

Barred Rocks are docile, according to Mississippi State, and Ohio State includes the Plymouth Rock among breeds with a reputation for docility. That's a big reason Ohio State lists them as a good choice for novice keepers.

Broodiness and mothering

Ohio State calls Plymouth Rocks "broody chickens that will make good mothers," and Mississippi State notes their good mothering instincts. If you'd like to hatch chicks under a hen someday, a Barred Rock is a good candidate.

Size

The standard weight is 9.5 lb for a rooster and 7.5 lb for a hen (UF/IFAS). Mississippi State gives a much lighter range of 4 to 7 lb for adult birds, which reflects how much backyard and hatchery birds can differ from show stock. A bantam version exists too (Illinois Extension).

Weather

Ohio State says Plymouth Rocks "do not mind the cold." None of our sources rate their heat tolerance, so in hot climates give them the shade, ventilation and fresh water every flock needs.

How to recognize a Barred Rock

The feathers are crossed with even black-and-white bars. UF/IFAS lists a single comb, red earlobes, yellow skin and yellow, unfeathered shanks. The Livestock Conservancy doesn't list the Plymouth Rock on its priority list, so these birds are easy to find from hatcheries and breeders.

Is a Barred Rock right for you?

If you want a calm, cold-tolerant bird that lays plenty of brown eggs and might raise chicks for you, the Barred Rock is hard to beat. Compare it with the Rhode Island Red, which lays a few more eggs, or the Speckled Sussex, another friendly forager.

See every breed's egg color side by side on our free Egg Color Chart printable.