Plymouth Rock Chickens
Calm, hardy, and easy to love. The Plymouth Rock is a classic dual-purpose breed known for steady egg production and a gentle, family-friendly nature.
Plymouth Rock chickens, best known in their barred black-and-white form, are a calm, hardy dual-purpose breed and a long-time favourite for Australian backyards. They lay around 200 to 280 light brown eggs a year, cope well across most climates, and are gentle enough for kids and beginners. We breed backyard quality Plymouth Rocks on our farm, with well-started birds available from day-old chicks through to point of lay. Join our waitlist below to find out when birds are ready.
Plymouth Rock chickens have been a backyard staple for well over a century, and it's not hard to see why. Calm, productive, and easy to pick out of a crowd thanks to their black-and-white barred feathers, they're one of the most dependable dual-purpose breeds you can keep.
We breed backyard quality Plymouth Rocks on our farm and work with trusted transport partners to get well-started birds to keepers across the country, from day-old chicks through to point of lay.
The origin of Plymouth Rock chickens
Plymouth Rock chickens were developed in the United States, first shown under that name in Boston in 1849, though the breed as it's known today was refined over the following decades from crosses that likely included Dominique, Black Java, and Cochin stock.
The breed's barred colouring, alternating bands of black and white on every feather, became so closely associated with Plymouth Rocks that many people now use "Barred Rock" and "Plymouth Rock" interchangeably. Barred remains the most common variety, though blue, buff, partridge, white, and other colours exist.
By the early 1900s, Plymouth Rocks were one of the most widely kept breeds in America, prized as a genuine dual-purpose bird: a solid table bird that also laid consistently. That same reputation carried the breed to Australia, where it remains a popular choice for backyard flocks today.
Plymouth Rock hens and pullets
Plymouth Rock hens are calm and easy to handle, which is part of why they've stayed popular with families for so long. They settle well into a mixed flock, though their easygoing nature means they can be pushed around by pushier breeds, so it's worth keeping an eye on flock dynamics.
They lay around 200 to 280 light brown eggs a year, with production holding up reasonably well through winter. Fully grown hens typically weigh around 3 to 3.5kg.
A pullet is a young hen in her first year, before her first moult. Plymouth Rock pullets generally start laying from around 20 weeks of age, so depending on how old they are when you buy them, they may not be laying yet.
Our well-started Plymouth Rock pullets are raised on our own feed, with plenty of space and sunlight, so they're settled and confident before they join your coop.
Plymouth Rock roosters
Plymouth Rock roosters carry the same barred plumage as the hens, with a solid, upright frame and a calm temperament that holds up better than most breeds during breeding season.
Fully matured roosters typically weigh around 3.5 to 4kg. They're generally protective without being aggressive, which makes them a reasonable choice for a family backyard.
Why choose Plymouth Rocks?
STEADY LAYERS
Light brown eggs, with production holding up reasonably well through winter.
EGGS AND MEAT
A genuine all-rounder, bred for both from the outset.
Black and white
Classic Barred Rock plumage, easy to pick out of any flock.
Docile
Calm and easy to handle, even for kids and first-time keepers.
Most climates
Copes well in both a cold winter and a warm Australian summer.
Ready to buy backyard quality Plymouth Rock chickens in Australia?
We breed backyard quality Plymouth Rock chicks, pullets, and well-started birds periodically throughout the year, from day-old chicks through to point of lay. As with all of our birds, availability depends on hatching season and demand.
If you'd like to be one of the first to know when Plymouth Rock birds are ready, join our waitlist and we'll be in touch. Got a question before then? We're always happy to talk chooks. Get in touch and we'll help you work out whether a Plymouth Rock is the right fit for your yard.
Join Our Backyard Waitlist →Frequently asked questions
Where do Plymouth Rock chickens come from?
Plymouth Rock chickens were developed in the United States and first shown under that name in Boston in 1849. They quickly became one of the country's most widely kept dual-purpose breeds, a reputation that carried through to Australian backyards.
What's the difference between a Plymouth Rock and a Barred Rock?
Nothing, really. Barred Rock refers to the classic black-and-white striped colour variety, which is by far the most common. Plymouth Rock is the breed name, and includes other colours like blue, buff, and white.
Are Plymouth Rock chickens good for beginners?
Yes. They're calm, easy to handle, and forgiving of beginner mistakes, which is part of why they've remained popular for well over a century.
How many eggs do Plymouth Rock chickens lay?
Around 200 to 280 light brown eggs a year, with reasonable output continuing through winter.
Do Plymouth Rock chickens go broody?
Occasionally. Hens that do go broody tend to be reliable, attentive sitters.
Are Plymouth Rock chickens good with other breeds?
Generally, yes, though their easygoing nature means they can be bullied by pushier breeds. Keep an eye on flock dynamics when mixing them in.
Do you deliver chickens Australia-wide?
We don't deliver birds ourselves. Local pickup is available from our designated pickup point in Bargo, NSW. For biosecurity reasons, the farm itself isn't open to visitors. For keepers further away, we meet your chosen transport company to get birds safely on their way, anywhere in Australia.
Do you sell fertile eggs?
No, we don't sell eggs of any kind, fertile or otherwise. We sell chicks, pullets, and well-started birds, from day-old through to point of lay.
Join Our Backyard Poultry Waitlist
Tell us what you're after, and we'll reach out the moment Plymouth Rocks are ready.