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The Plymouth Rock crybaby is an exceptionally favorable bird that will make for the perfect barnyard pet with special laying quality . These birds are arguably one of the most democratic strain in the US and other portion of the humankind . In summation to being excellent layer , Plymouth Rock chickens make for decent substance razzing .
About the Plymouth Rock Chicken Breed
D.A. Upham spoil Black Java hens with a barred cock . After the initial generations , the offspring were engender for barring and branch without feathering . Modern - solar day Plymouth Rocks are think to have derived from this cross .
Plymouth Rocks were accepted into theStandard of Perfectionwith the American Poultry Association as of 1874 . The original color sort accepted into the Standard of Perfection was the Barred Rocks , though other color varieties soon keep up .
Due to their many positive qualities , Plymouth Rocks were the single most far-flung strain in the US up until the other 1940s . At this gunpoint , large - scale chicken farms were bring out and caused the precipitation of backyard poulet heap .
Today Barred , Blue , Buff , Columbian , Partridge , Silver - pencil , and White Plymouth Rocks have been accept into the Standard of Perfection with the American Poultry Association .
The Barred Plymouth Rock is very popular and noticeable because of the grey rocklike pattern in their feathers . They are often referred to as Barred Rocks .
With such an interesting history , so many positive traits , and the beautiful color variation , this is an appealing stock to add to your raft .
Plymouth Rock Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
The Plymouth Rock chicken strain is an averagely sized breed , with roosters weighing in at up to 7.5 pounds and hens weighing up to 6.5 pounds . Previously it used to be a big breed , but Plymouth Rocks have been bred to be more of an egg production breed than heart production .
2. Temperament
Customers ofMeyer Hatcheryhave vote Barred Rocks to be the friendliest birds around ! These are some of the sweetest and peculiar birds you ’ll add to your pile . Originally hens had a powerful tendency to gobroody , but newer strains have had these trait breed out of them .
Many chicken keepers have base Plymouth Rock rooster to be protective of their hens , but reverential to people .
3. Egg Production
Plymouth Rocks have fantabulous nut production , sometimes put down up to 6 orchis per week . It is very rarified to rule a biddy that will lay much more than this charge per unit because laying an egg is basically like giving birth every mean solar day and who wants to do that every day ?
4. Meat Production
When Plymouth Rocks were bred , the middling consumer was after a breed that could duplicate as both pith and egg production . Plymouth Rocks outfit the bill perfectly , with hens often weighing about 7.5 pound while cock about 9.5 pound . These days it ’s not very well-situated to find such turgid birds .
There are stock breed more specifically for meat production , and Plymouth Rocks have taken more of an egg product family . Some breeders are still endeavor to keep the quality of the original birds , and if you find these breeders , their bird will be rather big unity .
Plymouth Rock Care
1. Feeding and Nutritional Needs
Plymouth Rocks are one of the most low care breeds you ’ll leaven . These bird do not take anything other thanchick starterfor young birds aged 0 - 12 weeks and then lay provender for the eternal sleep of their life . Supplementextra proteinduring molts to ensure your hoot produce stiff new feathers .
2. Housing and Fencing
Since most Plymouth Rocks are little these days , they will not require more than the recommendedsquare footagein the coop and streamlet , ( 2 - 3 sq . ft . in the hencoop and 8 - 10 sq . ft . in the run ) . If you wanted to permit your Plymouth Rocks devoid - reach , they are somewhat alive birds and will do moderately well in a free - range surround .
3. Health Issues and Care
Plymouth Rocks are very vigorous and hardy birds and do not suffer from anyhealth conditionsthat every other hoot does n’t once in a while get by with .
One thing to keep an eye out on with Plymouth Rocks is feather picking . Plymouth Rocks can tend to get too full-grown a head and pick on their flock mates . check that everyone has deal of space as well as a affluent andwaterer elbow room , and you should have minimum problem .
In worldwide Plymouth Rocks are very low maintenance birds to have around and they do not require lots of supernumerary attention . This makes them ideal for an easygoing to wish for backyard flock .
Alternative Breeds
1. Cream Legbars
Cream Legbarsmake a gracious alternative to Plymouth Rocks , as they have a very standardised appearance to Barred Plymouth Rocks , as well as good egg production . This breed has a similar size and characteristic .
The two most substantial differences you ’ll observe in Cream Legbars and Plymouth Rocks , are egg color and toll . Instead of brown eggs , Cream Legbars will lie profane ballock . Since Cream Legbars are a significantly rarer breed than Plymouth Rocks , you will find them to be a scrap pricier .
2. Orpingtons
Orpingtonsare similar to Plymouth Rocks since they are both very friendly breed with safe egg product . This strain comes in slightly different color variations than Plymouth Rocks , but I call back you will encounter them to be an as beautiful strain .
Orpingtons are a bit magnanimous and downy than Plymouth Rocks . Orpingtons weigh a minute more , and their feathers are not as close and blotto - fitting as the Plymouth Rocks .
A Rey of Sunshine: The Plymouth Rock That Beat All Odds
I arouse one very special Partridge Plymouth Rock identify Rey ; I visit her myRey of Sunshine . When piddling Rey was 2 week previous , she superintend to get herself in a pickle where she tore her skin very badly . I fought for her little life , and the little pullet pulled through . While she was recovering , I took her on more than one hike . She was a very democratic little wench everywhere she went , happily perched on my shoulder .
About 6 weeks afterward , Rey was fully bring around , and I turned her back with her flock . A weasel preyed on the pen , and over 50 % of her flockmates conk out . I happen poor Rey in a dented heap clinging to life-time by a thread . The weasel had absorb her pedigree , and she was in shock due to severe blood loss .
I spent 5 twenty-four hours tediously nursing her back to wellness feed her through a syringe and keeping her warm on aheating launching pad . After those tenacious 5 days , Rey could consume and booze on her own again . It was a long route to recovery , but Rey pulled through once again . This little hen lives happily on my farm , and to this day her story is my very favorite .
I do n’t think you ’ll regret tally Plymouth Rock chickens to your flock . Their sweet personality paired with exceptional bollock - laying capabilities makes for a very compatible breed for many backyard chicken steward and their troop . Happy Chickening , from my coop to yours .
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