Plymouth Rocks? Are these good layers?

I've been actively researching good all-around best laying chickens. I enjoy the broody nature of some of the breeds, and have successfully let a few mother hens raise a clutch of chicks. But....I would like to have a breed that does not go broody, and lays consistently. What do we know about Plymouth rocks?

There is a lot of variation within breeds, and in most cases more than between breeds. So one line of Rocks may lay very well, and another, less so. None will lay as well as breeds or hybrids that have been bred for egg production (white leghorns, ISA browns, red rocks).

In general the Mediterranean breeds (including leghorns) don't go broody. Other breeds tend to, sometimes. Again, lots of variation within the breed.

^ Yep. The Rocks I had where a combination of production and exhibition lines and were as good of layers as they were beautiful. I also have a BR hen who looks to have leghorn blood back in her ancestry somewhere. She is the best broody/mama I could wish for, as well as a good layer when she's not busy acting all butch. lol

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We have several breeds and our barred rocks are definitely the best layers. For some reason though they are my least favourites. The eggs are pretty light coloured(I like brown eggs). They are not overly friendly like the buff sussex but are easy to be around. If my main goal was egg laying I would definitely pick them. I might try some buff rocks next year.

I think someone should develop a comb warmer for winter wear!

Tara has a good point about those honking huge combs Rocks sport. They're not exactly well suited for the harsh prairie winters. This is the main reason I no longer have BR's anymore. (Sniff) I LOVED my Rocks, but HATED seeing my beautiful boys suffer from frostbite no matter what I did (short of moving them into the basement, which I actually did do one year but that did not go over well with my other half to say the least. Anyone who tells you roos only crow in the morning hasn't house a few overnight, haha) One day in the hopefully not too distance future I will have my heated dream barn and then will keep a flock of Barred Plymouth Rocks again. They are such beautiful birds imo.

heda gobbler wrote:I think someone should develop a comb warmer for winter wear!

Totally!  

The comb thing is one reason I only have Buckeyes and White Chanteclers now. I have a little heated coop where the last of the Golden Seabright hens live in the winter.

I keep seeing fabulous breeds with fabulous big single combs. And look away...

Same thing with my Ameraucanas...ya can't really beat a pea or cushion comb when living in cold climes that's for sure.

I so hear you about looking away from some really cool breeds... probably for the best though lol

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I so so so enjoy this forum!! You guys are just great at answering questions! Love it! I have been told I may enjoy sussex by a fellow chicken person...I'll have to investigate further. I have this GREAT chicken book - chicken encyclopedia, if you will. I will never regret it's purchase. Ever. It's called Storey's Illustrated Guide To Poultry Breeds. In this book, it says the sussex is a meat bird. But still lay a fairly good number of eggs. It also says they are good being confined, and are gentle. Sound accurate?

I would say ISA browns. They WILL go broody on a hidden clutch of 24 eggs, so beeee careful *Mumbles about bantams hiding eggs*

ISA Browns? I'm sorry...I'm not sure I know what this stands for?

The standard hybrid high production layer that you find in feed stores - a sex link cross, marketed by one of those giant multinational poultry companies.

decourseyD wrote: Storey's Illustrated Guide To Poultry Breeds.  

order request placed at library!! cant wait until it comes in, I love looking at the pictures and reading the descriptions---especially comparing those to the ones I have owned, just to see for curiosity's sake