Varieties:
Barred
White
Buff
Partridge
Silver Penciled
Blue
Columbian
Standard
Weights: Cock-9-1/2 pounds; hen-7-1/2 pounds; cockerel-8 pounds; pullet-6
pounds.
Skin Color: Yellow.
Egg Shell Color: Brown.
Use: Meat
and eggs.
Origin:
Developed in America in the middle of the 19th century and was first exhibited
as a breed in 1869. Several individuals claimed its invention, using crosses of Dominique, Java, Cochin,
and perhaps Malay andDorking. The first Plymouth Rock was barred and other varieties
developed later. The Breed became popular very rapidly, and in fact, until
World War II, no breed was ever kept and bred as extensively as the Barred
Plymouth Rock. Its popularity came from its qualities as an outstanding farm
chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both eggs
and meat. Most of the other varieties were developed from crosses containing
some of the same ancestral background as the barred variety. Early in its
development, the name Plymouth Rock implied a barred bird, but as more
varieties were developed, it became the designation for the breed. The Barred
Plymouth Rock was one of the foundation breeds for the broiler industry in the
1920's, and the White Rock continues to be used as the female side of the
commercial broiler cross.
Characteristics: Plymouth
Rocks are a good general farm chicken. They are docile; normally will show
broodiness; possess a long, broad back; a moderately deep, full breast and a
single comb of moderate size. Some strains are good layers while others are
bred principally for meat. They usually make good mothers. Their feathers are
fairly loosely held but not so long as to easily tangle. Generally, Plymouth
Rocks are not extremely aggressive, and tame quite easily. Some males and hens
are big and active enough to be quite a problem if they become aggressive.
Breeders should be aware of the standard weights and not select small or narrow
birds for the breeding pen. Common faults include shallow breast, high tails,
narrow bodies and small size.
Status: Watch.
The Barred Plymouth Rock is still a popular farm chicken but, as a dual-purpose
bird, is still far less common than its more specialized White Rock
cousin.
Reference:
Chicken Breeds
and Varieties (A2880), John L. Skinner, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
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