my nextdoor neighbor raises plymouth rocks and i can never get over to talk to him. I want some information about rocks and i want to know if they are better that buff orpingtons in any way. And if possible i would like to know the chicken that is the most convinent to have thatnks alot g-bye

Adam; It's not quite as simple as which breed is better,Plymouth Rocks or Orphingtons.Generally they were both bred to fulfill the same niche only in different countries.It would more depend on what exactly you expect from them.Then,it would matter greatly which line of birds you chose.Some breeders have pretty much chosen conformation and other external characteristics to rule their roosts.These would be more show than go so to speak. Many commercial flocks have been bred soley to be productive,more go than show.What ever you decide it will be a compromise.If you butcher them the only real difference is that Rocks have yellow skin and Orphingtons have white skin.You won't notice this for long though as all fried chicken has brown skin.Orphingtons come in four colors Buff,White,Black and Blue.Rocks come in seven standard colors and some others as well.Both also have several Bantam varieties.So you have more decisions to make to settle on just one.Thats why so many of us ended up with several breeds and varieties.So many to choose from is definitly a mixed blessing.Orphingtons are probably a little more tractable,calmer Quieter natured, maybe.Rocks might lay a few more eggs but aren't quite as big and fluffy.See? It's all a compromise.Convienient? Most people don't keep chickens for convienience.Usually costs more for feed than you'd spend for eggs and meat.But rewarding it is.You'd have to establish your priorities about what is important to you.If you can decide exactly what you expect from your chickens,Eggs?Meat?Pretty?What color?How big?How nervous or quiet?How many?Then I would be excited to help you settle on a breed.Pure bred poultry offers a whole different set of options.Raising a pure breed does support the breeders who have spent alot of time and money to develop their strains when you purchase yours.It also aids yet another pure gene pool and that is important to the future of especially rare breeds.Also breeders of pure bred poultry are a valuable source of information for novice breeders.You won't get nearly as much help from big comercial hatcheries as you will from dedicated breeders.Especially the one you buy from.Think it over and let me know what you decide.JaRaCo

well thanks alot. i will get both. I will take orpingtons to the fair and i will raise and sell rocks. Thanks alot and i am sorry it took so long (new coop under management) thanks JaRaCo

I'm thinking of raising Barred rocks because they are so pretty but I was wondering if they are good layers, setters and mothers

I too am still having trouble deciding on a breed of chicken. I like my rock banties but my husband hates the small eggs. He wants a large brown egg, period! I also have my dominiques but their eggs are medium sized and still not big enough for hubby. I found a breeder of buff rocks of a show line, and since we don't have to have alot of eggs, only 2 of us. How do the buffs eggs compare with the barred or white rocks of show lines. Should be the same but am unsure. Or do I breed my dominiques for larger eggs, that is hatching only the largest each time until the flock produces a larger egg. I am at a loss!

Rhode Island reds are great moms and lay large brown eggs. Just get a couple of those for your husband so he can have big brown eggs.Not a fancy bird but if all your concerned about is feeding your husband large brown eggs these are the chickens for you.

Hi I just got 2 barred PR chicks. Can you give me some tips on raising them please? I live in Alaska, so they have to stay inside, but I'm not sure about how to keep them warm without the light being on all the time.
Thanks.