Plymouth Rock Chicken
Willem Hoekstra
Other common names: Barred Plymouth Rock; Barred Rock; White Rock; Rock
The basics:
The Plymouth Rock standard chicken was the creation of D.A. Upham of Worcester, Massachusetts. According to the Plymouth Rock Fanciers Club of America, "The year was 1869, and the terrible struggle that had almost destroyed a Nation was finally over...and the infant purebred poultry industry was not unaffected. For years, the massive Asiatics had been the rage. Close-feathered Orientals, and flighty Mediterraneans had also been tried, but the American people wanted more. They wanted a breed that represented their ideals and expectations. They wanted a breed that had superior economic qualities, yet maintained a regal character. The breed that would emerge from this era would become the Plymouth Rock."
Types: Bantam, Largefowl
Varieties (Single Comb): Barred, Black, Blue, Buff, Columbian, Partridge, Silver Penciled, White
Uses: Eggs, Meat
Weights:
Bantam: 32 - 38 oz
Largefowl: 7.5 - 9.5 lbs
Personality: The Plymouth Rock is a good natured chicken, that tends to be very social. They make a great choice for those desiring a friendly backyard hen.
Broody: Occasionally
Preferred climate: Any
Handles confinement: Yes
Egg production: Very Good (4/week)
Egg color: Brown
Egg size: Extra Large
What else you should know:
The Plymouth Rock, also comes in a feather variety known as the frizzle. Frizzled fowl have feathers that curl upwards. When breeding Frizzles, it is best to breed a frizzle feathered Frizzle to a non-frizzled feathered Frizzle. This helps prevent chicks from getting two of the frizzle feather gene, which results in brittle feathers.
easy going chickens, cold tolerant, Good Starter bird, classic multipurpose chicken, suburbia
tad territorial, little bossy, dominant hen type, small child
good brood hens, Barred Plymouth Rock, Silver Penciled variety, terrific maternal instincts, good hunters
