• Barred Plymouth Rock hen with black and white barred feathers on the grass by the breeder pens
  • Barred Plymouth Rock day-old chick with black down and a white head spot on burlap
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Barred Plymouth Rock — Day-Old Chicks

Barred Plymouth Rock — Day-Old Chicks

NPIP Certified Hatchery - License #51-770

  • ~200 Eggs/Year
  • Large Brown Eggs
  • 16–20 Weeks to Lay
$6.49
$6.49
Sale Sold out
  • Minimum 6 chicks per shipped order. Mix any breeds.
  • Shipping: $34.95 for 6–25 chicks by USPS Priority Mail · $49.95 for 26–50
  • Live Arrival Guarantee on every shipped order
  • Marek's vaccine available: $0.75 per chick. Check the box in your cart.
  • Free local pickup in Preston, MD, no minimum

Checking hatch dates…

Orders close Sunday at 11:59 PM Eastern before each Tuesday hatch date. After that, that week is no longer available, so please choose another week from the dates still open.

📦 Learn how we carefully pack and ship your chicks →

If you're looking for the perfect backyard chicken — one that lays reliably, handles any weather, and won't give you trouble — the Plymouth Barred Rock is America's answer. It's been the backbone of backyard flocks for over a century, and for good reason.

Why backyard keepers love them:

  • 🥚 Approximately 200 large brown eggs per year — one of the most productive dual-purpose breeds
  • 🪶 Striking black and white barred feathers — a classic look that stands out in any flock
  • ❄️ Extremely cold-hardy — built for all climates, from New England winters to Southern summers
  • 🐓 Calm and friendly — great for beginners, families, and mixed flocks
  • 🌿 Low-maintenance foragers — adaptable to free-range or confined setups

What to expect from Chesapeake Hatchery chicks:

Our Barred Rocks come from carefully maintained breeding stock selected for consistent egg production and true-to-breed temperament. Marek's Disease vaccination is optional and is not included in the chick price. To vaccinate your chicks, check the Marek's vaccine box in your cart. Chicks are backed by our live arrival guarantee. They're one of our most popular breeds — and once you raise one, you'll understand why.

Weeks to first egg: 16–20 weeks
Egg size: Large
Egg color: Brown

Common questions about Barred Plymouth Rocks

Are Barred Rocks good for beginners?
Yes. They're calm, friendly, cold-hardy and low-maintenance, which is why they've been a backyard favorite for over a century.

How many eggs do they lay?
About 200 large brown eggs a year.

When do Barred Rocks start laying?
Usually at 16–20 weeks, one of the earliest of our breeds.

Can they free-range?
Yes. They're good foragers and adapt to free-range or confined setups.

Pairs well with:

A flock staple for a reason — reserve yours before the next hatch fills up. 

Breed specifications

Production

Hens lay approximately 200 large brown eggs per year. Actual output varies.

Maturity

Typically begins laying at 16–20 weeks. Timing varies by individual bird and growing conditions.

Temperament

Calm and friendly.

Appearance

Black and white barred plumage.

Adaptability

Cold-hardy; adaptable to free-range or confined setups with suitable space and shelter.

Chick care overview

Brooder temperature: Start at 95°F for the first week, reducing by 5°F each week until fully feathered.

Food & water: Offer chick starter feed and fresh water immediately. Dip each chick's beak gently into the water on arrival to encourage drinking.

Hydration boost: We include hydration supplements in your shipment — add to water for the first 24–48 hours to help chicks recover from transit.

Space: Allow at least 0.5 sq ft per chick in the brooder for the first few weeks.

Watch for: Huddling under the heat source (too cold), panting or moving away from heat (too warm). Active, spread-out chicks are happy chicks.

For detailed care guides, visit our FAQs.

Shipping

Your chicks ship in a USPS-approved live animal box designed specifically for safe poultry transport, complete with soft bedding, temperature control packing, and hydration supplements for the journey.

We take immeasurable care in every shipment — each box is packed with your flock's safe arrival as our top priority.

Day-old chicks ship by USPS Priority Mail with live-animal handling, the same day they hatch. Most orders reach your local post office in 1–2 days; some rural areas take up to 3. Started pullets ship by USPS Priority Mail Express, as USPS requires for older birds.

LIVE CHICK SHIPPING

USPS Priority Mail:
6–25 chicks — $34.95
26–50 chicks — $49.95
51–100 chicks — $59.95

Optional Priority Mail Express at checkout: $69.95 for 6–14 chicks, $74.95 for 15–25, $79.95 for 26–50, $99.95 for 51–100.

Shipping farther than a day's drive from Maryland, such as south of the Carolinas or west of Ohio? We recommend Priority Mail Express. Express chicks are loaded first and usually arrive sooner, but USPS does not guarantee delivery times for live animals.

Ordering more than 100 chicks? Call us at (410) 635-1970.

Minimum shipped order: 6 chicks • Mix & match breeds

Local Pickup — Wednesdays in Maryland
No shipping fee · No minimum order

Live Arrival Guarantee

We stand behind every shipment. In the rare event that any chicks do not survive transit, you will receive a full refund for those chicks.

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Barred Plymouth Rock — Day-Old Chicks