It also helps that my absolute favorite chicken is a Plymouth Rock. Happy has been with me from the beginning (#happythechicken). She is the reason I fell in love with backyard chickens. So, what’s so special about this breed?

Barred Plymouth Rocks, also known as Barred Rocks, are docile, gentle and super friendly. They are a dual-purpose heritage breed that will produce around 250 brown eggs a year. They are winter hearty and handle the heat well. Their lifespan is 6-8 years, but they can live longer. I’m hoping Happy sets a lifespan record!

Barred Plymouth Rocks are generally quiet, easy to handle, and are beautiful wandering around the yard. They are friendly to their flock mates and won’t normally be at the top of the pecking order. Because of their disposition, they are a great starter bird for a backyard flock.

This breed has a single comb, white and black “barred” feathers, and clean feet with 4 toes. They do great free ranging as well as being contained in a run. They are a larger breed with the hens weighing in around 7-8 pounds with roosters weighing 9-10 pounds.

“The Plymouth Rock chicken has a long history in the United States. Barred Plymouth Rocks were first shown at a poultry show in Boston in 1849. They have been nicknamed “America’s favorite breed” as well as “the Hereford of the poultry world.” TheSpruce.com

Happy and I have been on so many adventures together! I have a chicken stroller and she loves to go on walks with me, and go to our local farm supply store. She’s even gone flower shopping with me! She is so sweet. Her sisters are pretty great too! It’s been the one breed where all of them want my attention. They lay large, delicious eggs and are all around my favorite breed.

I highly recommend adding a couple of these to your backyard flock! What’s one more chicken? Haha!

Until next time,

–The Wing Lady & Happy