Barred Rock Hen

When I ordered our first box of chicks, I was modestly studied in chicken breeds, and my goal was to achieve the delivery of jumbo brown eggs from prolific layers. Success. By the time I ordered the second flock, I had become a little bored with red stars, buff orpingtons, and Delawares dotting the landscape. Those big brown eggs were seeming a bit rote, too.

So I returned to my chicken studies and chose breeds based on chicken-beauty (I'm so shallow) and variety in egg colors. Our eggs would be blue or green, white, and shades of brown ranging from light to dark. *brushing hands*

I thought the barred rocks would be my favorite breed. Feathered zebras is what came to mind. Or a chicken in striped pajamas. It was a surprise to me when I came to favor them no more or less than others, yet their markings are still pleasing and intriguing to me. Perhaps they'd seem a more stand-out bird, if the entire flock was comprised of barred rocks. That would be dizzying.

Here's a barred rock hen:

clickable

This hen can really bust a move!



As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. ~Psalm 125:2