Partridge Plymouth Rock Chickens

Day Old Partridge Plymouth Rock Baby Chicks

Hatching February to August.

Partridge Plymouth Rock Chickens are a popular breed of dual-purpose chickens for small, backyard farms. With the exception of the Barred and White varieties, the Partridge Plymouth Rock is a relatively rare breed of chicken. They have a single comb and tolerate both hot and cold weather. 

Production: As a dual-purpose breed, some varieties of Partridge Plymouth Rocks are more suitable as egg layers while others are bred primarily for meat. The skin color of these birds is yellow. They lay large brown eggs, and like all Plymouth Rocks, the Partridge lays throughout the year with no decrease in production during the winter months. Hens may also be broody. 

Temperament: This is a calm and friendly breed, able to get along well with people and other animals. They are known to be hardy and docile. Partridge Plymouth Rocks can tolerate confinement but prefer free-range as they are good foragers.

History: Developed in New England around the middle of the 19th century, the Plymouth Rock was first exhibited in 1869. Though many have claimed its invention, John C. Bennett is credited with popularizing the breed. Until World War II, it was the most extensively kept and bred breed of chicken in the United States. Many varieties of the Plymouth Rock, including the Partridge, have been developed using crosses from the same ancestral background as the original Barred variety. It is believed that Dominiques, Cochins, Black Javas, and possibly Dorkings and Malays were used to develop the breed. The Partridge Plymouth Rock was admitted to the APA Standard in 1910. 

APA Class: American

Color Description: Partridge Plymouth Rocks are a lesser-known color variation of the original Barred Rocks. Partridge Rock Hens are a reddish-brown color with black edging down their back, breast, and body. The copper coloring around their necks resembles partridges. Roosters are multi-colored, with redheads and upper backs and glossy black bodies, breast and tail feathers. Their saddle and hackle feathers are greenish-black and have a smattering of red throughout.

Conservation Status: Recovering

Weight: Cockerel 8 lbs, Pullet 6 lbs