The Plymouth Rock - especially the Barred variety - is the classic American homestead chicken. Big-bodied, calm, dependable layers of brown eggs, hardy in cold, easy to handle. The 'just give me eggs' bird. FastPoultry takes free quote requests for Plymouth Rock as hatching eggs, day-old chicks, started pullets, and adult birds and matches each one with NPIP-certified breeders within 1 business day.
| Origin | Massachusetts, USA - 1849 |
|---|---|
| APA recognized | 1874 |
| Conservation status | Recovering |
| Also called | Barred Rock, Rocks, PR |
| Adult weight | Roosters 9.5 lb, Hens 7.5 lb |
| Size class | Standard |
| Eggs per year | ~240 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Broodiness | Medium |
| Cold hardiness | Excellent |
| Heat tolerance | Good |
| Noise level | Quiet |
| Flight tendency | Calm/won't fly |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
First exhibited at the Boston Poultry Show in 1849. Developed from crosses of Dominique, Cochin, Black Java, and Brahma. Created the dual-purpose bird American homesteaders needed: lays well year-round, dresses out at 7+ lbs, and survives New England winters. By 1900 it was the most popular chicken in the United States. Seven color varieties are APA-recognized; Barred remains dominant. The breed nearly disappeared after WWII as commercial hybrids took over - now slowly recovering thanks to heritage breeders.
Best for: eggs, meat, dual-purpose, beginner, family pet
Light to medium brown - lighter than Marans or Welsummer.
| Indoor coop space | 4 sq ft per bird |
|---|---|
| Run space | 10 sq ft per bird |
| Roost bar | 10 in per bird |
Space: Tolerates confinement extremely well. Heavy enough that 4-foot fencing contains them.
Feeding: Standard layer feed (16%). Tend to plumpen if overfed scratch; limit treats to 10% of diet.
Health: Sturdy. Watch hens for egg binding in their 3rd+ year - genetic prolific layers wear out reproductively.
Climate: Zones 3-10. Cold-hardiest American breed; comfortable down to 0F with dry, draft-free housing.
You can request Plymouth Rock through FastPoultry, which matches buyer requests with breeders. Choose from 4 request pages for hatching eggs, day-old chicks, started pullets, and adult birds, then tell us your quantity, preferred age, and delivery state in the form on this page. Matched breeder options arrive within 1 business day, and you arrange payment, pickup, or shipping directly with the breeder you choose.
Prices for Plymouth Rock are set by each breeder and change with season, line quality, age, and quantity, so FastPoultry does not publish a fixed price. Submitting a request is free. Matched breeders reply with current pricing, and you should ask whether the quote includes boxing, shipping, and vaccinations before you pay the breeder directly.
A Plymouth Rock hen lays roughly 240 eggs a year, and the eggs are large and brown. Light to medium brown - lighter than Marans or Welsummer. Broodiness is rated medium. Real production depends on strain, hen age, season, and daylight, so ask breeders about the laying record of their parent stock.
Yes. The Plymouth Rock is rated beginner friendly. Temperament: calm, friendly, curious, docile; cold hardiness: excellent; heat tolerance: good; noise level: quiet. It is best for eggs, meat, dual-purpose, beginner, and family pet. Check local rules on roosters and flock size before you buy.
The USDA NPIP state importation table (May 20, 2026) lists VS Form 9-3 as required for shipments into 44 of 50 states, and 31 states list a permit, approval number, or other entry requirement, so check your state's location page before you order. VS Form 9-3 is the NPIP report of sales that the shipping breeder completes, and some states add a permit number, a Pullorum-Typhoid or avian influenza clean-flock rule, or a health certificate. FastPoultry does not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands through standard requests.
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