Eggs by breed
How many eggs does a Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) lay?
200 to 280 a year in her first year, about 4 to 5 a week in season. Dual-purpose and steady rather than spectacular. A good first flock bird.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 4–5 | 17–23 | 200–280 |
Breed facts
| Egg | brown, large |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 18–22 weeks |
| Temperament | friendly, follows you around |
| Climate | cold hardy |
| Goes broody | sometimes |
| Type | heritage breed |
Year one, year two and after
The first full year of laying is the best. Year two runs 10 to 20 percent lower, and each year after drops again. A four-year-old Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) still lays in spring, just less.
How many Plymouth Rocks do I need?
Take the eggs your household eats in a week and divide by 5. For a dozen a week, about 3. Round up; you will thank yourself in January.
What those eggs cost. With 3 Plymouth Rocks and a bag of feed a month, the calculator tells you the cost per dozen and when the coop pays for itself. Cost-per-egg calculator.
Common questions
How many eggs does a Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) lay a day?
At most one. A Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) in full lay gives about 4 to 5 eggs a week, so some days she skips. No hen lays more than one egg a day.
When does a Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) start laying?
Between 18 and 22 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does a Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many Plymouth Rocks do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
About 3. Divide the eggs your household eats in a week by 5 and round up.