Barred Plymouth Rock Bantam Chickens

The Plymouth Rock Bantam Chicken is a popular bantam breed derived from one of the older and most popular layers of brown eggs in the United States. The Barred Plymouth Rock, also known as the Barred Rock, is the most popular variety of the Plymouth Rock breed, and it is also one of the most popular brown egg layers for small farm and back yard chicken farming in the United States. The Barred Plymouth Rock was first shown in 1869, and it was one of the first breeds to be admitted to the American Standard of Excellence in 1874. Barred Rock Chickens were created by crossing a male Dominique with a female Black Cochin or Black Java to produce a heavy breed of chicken with the plumage pattern and egg laying capabilities of the Dominique and the broodiness and docile temperament of the Black Cochin.

Barred Plymouth Rock Bantam Chickens are growing in popularity as a backyard chicken as well as an exhibition bantam breed. They are great backyard birds and usually have fairly calm temperaments when interacted with from a young age. Another great quality of the Barred Rock is that their "barring" plumage pattern is a sex-link characteristic, meaning that the males and females can be differentiated from birth simply by color. The females will be much darker and have much more black than the males.

Barred Plymouth Rock Bantam Chicken Facts

Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens were once listed as in danger of extinction but are now, largely due to the "Backyard Chicken Movement", listed as recovering by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

The feathers of the Barred Plymouth Rock Rooster are often used for fly fishing ties. They have the soft and bright qualities that experienced fisherman seek when creating their flies.