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Chicks, baby chicks - $5 (Chamblee, GA)
condition:
new
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The Barred Plymouth Rock (commonly called Barred Rock) is one of America’s most iconic and beloved heritage chicken breeds. With its striking black-and-white “barred” feather pattern, friendly personality, and excellent dual-purpose qualities, it’s a backyard favorite for both beginners and experienced keepers.
Appearance
These birds are instantly recognizable by their crisp, narrow black-and-white barring that runs across every feather. They have a single red comb, bright red wattles, yellow legs, and a sturdy, broad body. Roosters are impressive with larger combs and flowing tail feathers, while hens are slightly smaller but equally handsome.
Standard weights (American Poultry Association):
• Roosters: 9–10 lbs
• Hens: 7–8 lbs
Chicks are also auto-sexing thanks to the sex-linked barring gene—you can often tell males from females right at hatch by their color patterns.
History & Origin
Developed in New England in the early 1800s (some sources cite crosses of Dominique and Black Java chickens, with possible input from other breeds like Cochin and Brahma). The barred variety was the original Plymouth Rock and was recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1874. It quickly became the most popular breed in the U.S. until around World War II. Today it’s listed as “recovering” by The Livestock Conservancy.
Production & Temperament
• Eggs: Prolific layers of large brown eggs—typically 200–250 per year. Production stays strong even in cold weather.
• Meat: Excellent table birds with plump, yellow-skinned carcasses.
• Personality: Extremely docile, calm, and friendly. Roosters are rarely aggressive, and hens are great with kids and families. They free-range well, are curious but not flighty, and make wonderful pets.