How Many Eggs Does a Barred Rock Lay Per Year?
A Barred Rock hen lays 200 to 250 eggs per year. Estimates by age and season, a month-by-month breakdown, and a formula for any flock size.
A Barred Rock hen — the barred variety of the Plymouth Rock — lays 200 to 250 eggs per year in a typical backyard setting. The biggest variable is age: a healthy first-year hen sits near the top of that band, then production fades a little each year after her first adult molt. Daylight is a close second, since short winter days pull the count down unless you add light. For a healthy first-year hen in a well-managed flock, plan on about 220 eggs annually — our Normal, matching the breed-page figure. Strain matters more than most other factors: production-type hatchery stock lands near Normal, while exhibition-bred Barred stock prints far lower. The Conservancy calls Plymouth Rock hens usually good sitters and mothers, stronger language than this site's own occasionally rating. Cold suits the breed well, but the single comb can frostbite below 0°F. The breed graduated from the Conservancy's Conservation Priority List in 2023.
Want the full picture on this breed? See our Plymouth Rock (Barred) breed profile — temperament, care needs, and climate fit.
Use the egg production calculator to model your specific flock.
Production ranges
| Scenario | Annual eggs | Avg / week | Avg / day | When this happens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | ~200 | ~3.8 | ~0.55 | Older hen, winter without added light, or a bird toward the Conservancy floor |
| Normal | ~220 | ~4.2 | ~0.60 | Healthy hen, Year 1 to 2, natural daylight, standard layer feed |
| High | ~250 | ~4.8 | ~0.68 | Strong first year, 14 to 16-hr light, 16 to 18% protein, production-leaning stock |
The Normal row is the most realistic starting point for planning. It assumes a healthy first-year or second-year hen on a complete layer feed with natural daylight and a normal molt. Plan your egg supply around this number, then treat the High row as a good year rather than a promise.
Barred Rocks split by strain — and the old production/show framing was inverted. Production-type hatchery birds (Cackle’s Barred Rock SKU: 200–220) land near Normal and the bottom of High. Exhibition / show Barred stock (Cackle’s exhibition SKU: 120–180) sits well below this page’s Low of 200 — a distinct show population, named here for context, not folded into the Low row. Do not use White Rock’s higher hatchery print (Cackle: 200–280) as a Barred figure; that is a different Plymouth Rock color variety.
By year, month, week, and day
| Time period | Low (~200/yr) | Normal (~220/yr) | High (~250/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | 200 | 220 | 250 |
| Per month (average) | ~16.7 | ~18.3 | ~20.8 |
| Per week (average) | ~3.8 | ~4.2 | ~4.8 |
| Per day (average) | ~0.55 | ~0.60 | ~0.68 |
| Dozens per year | ~16.7 | ~18.3 | ~20.8 |
A hen lays one egg roughly every 24 to 26 hours when she is in full production, and she skips a day here and there to rebuild the next yolk. That is why the daily average never reaches a clean 1.0, even for a strong layer in spring. Over a full year the molt, winter slowdown, and the odd broody spell pull the average down further.
The formula
Scale the estimate to any flock size with one line:
Weekly eggs = Number of hens × 4.8 (Barred Rock peak eggs/week) × Age Factor × Season Factor
The baseline of 4.8 is a Barred Rock hen’s peak weekly output in her first year — sustaining it across a full year lands near 250 eggs (4.8 × 52 ≈ 250), which is this page’s High, not above it. Folded across a year with molt and winter on natural daylight, the effective weekly average is about 4.2, which matches the Normal figure of ~220 (220 ÷ 52 ≈ 4.2). Adjust the baseline down with the factors below as the flock ages and the seasons change.
| Factor | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (peak) | ×1.00 |
| Year 2 | ×0.84 |
| Year 3 | ×0.66 |
| Year 4 | ×0.50 |
| Year 5 | ×0.38 |
| Spring / Summer | ×1.00 |
| Fall (Sept to Oct) | ×0.90 |
| Winter, no supplemental light | ×0.75 |
| Winter, 16-hr light schedule | ×0.95 |
Example: 6 hens × 4.8 × 0.84 (Year 2) × 0.75 (winter, no light) ≈ 18 eggs per week.
How production drops year over year
Production slides down gradually as a hen ages rather than stopping at a set birthday. Applying the age factors to the Normal annual figure of 220 eggs gives this picture for one hen and a six-bird flock.
| Year | Per hen / year | Per hen / week | 6-bird flock / year | 6-bird flock / week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (peak) | ~220 | ~4.2 | ~1,320 | ~25 |
| Year 2 | ~185 | ~3.6 | ~1,110 | ~21 |
| Year 3 | ~145 | ~2.8 | ~871 | ~17 |
| Year 4 | ~110 | ~2.1 | ~660 | ~13 |
| Year 5 | ~84 | ~1.6 | ~502 | ~10 |
A Barred Rock stays useful in the basket longer than many high-output hybrids because she starts from a steadier baseline and ages more slowly. To keep the flock average high, add two or three young pullets every other year so a fresh peak layer is always coming online as the older hens taper off.
Month by month (first-year hen)
This is a first-year hen on a Normal year. The natural-light column sums to about 220 eggs. The lighting column shows what a steady 16-hour schedule adds through the dark months.
| Month | Natural light only | With 16-hr coop lighting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 19 | Shortest days, but holds better than most breeds |
| February | 15 | 20 | Light returning |
| March | 20 | 21 | Climbing toward peak |
| April | 23 | 22 | Spring peak |
| May | 24 | 23 | Best month |
| June | 23 | 22 | Strong early summer |
| July | 22 | 21 | Slight dip if very hot |
| August | 20 | 21 | Heat and shorter days |
| September | 18 | 21 | Daylight dropping |
| October | 17 | 20 | Fall slowdown begins |
| November | 13 | 20 | Lighting gap widens |
| December | 13 | 20 | Minimum without lighting |
Barred Rocks are known for laying through winter better than Mediterranean breeds, thanks to their heavy bodies and dense feathering. They still slow as the days shorten, though. If you want winter eggs, start supplemental light in early September, before natural daylight drops, and add it at the morning end so birds are not caught off the roost when a timer cuts the light at night.
What changes the number
The single largest lever is age, followed by daylight. After that, strain, molt, feed, and weather each move the total by a measurable amount.
Strain or breed line
Strain alone can swing a Barred Rock well outside this page’s planning band. Production-type hatchery lines (Cackle Barred Rock: 200–220) land near Normal. Exhibition / show Barred stock (Cackle exhibition SKU: 120–180) is a distinct population selected for barring and type — named here, not used as Low. White Rock’s Cackle print of 200–280 belongs to another Plymouth Rock variety and must not be read as a Barred High. Ask the hatchery which SKU you are buying before you plan on High.
Daylight and coop lighting
A laying hen needs 14 to 16 hours of light per day to keep production steady through the year, according to University of Florida IFAS Extension guidance for backyard flocks. Below roughly 12 hours, even this winter-hardy breed slows down. A 16-hour schedule recovers most of the winter loss, as the month-by-month table shows. Keep any winter lighting cautious and optional, and add it gradually rather than all at once.
Age and the annual molt
Hens over a year old pause laying for the annual molt in late summer or fall, and a full molt commonly runs 8 to 12 weeks. Production also steps down after each molt, which is why Year 2 sits near 84 percent of the Year 1 figure. Raise dietary protein to 18 to 20 percent during the molt to help feathers regrow faster and shorten the break.
Broodiness
The Livestock Conservancy describes Plymouth Rock hens as usually good sitters and mothers — stronger language than this site’s breed-data field of occasionally. That Conservancy-vs-site discrepancy is named, not resolved here; breeds.json is unchanged in this pass. When a hen does sit, she pauses laying for the spell. Cackle’s production Barred Rock SKU prints Broody: Setter.
Feed protein
Below about 14 percent protein, laying falls off within roughly two weeks. A complete 16 percent layer feed keeps a Barred Rock steady, and 16 to 18 percent supports peak output, with free-choice oyster shell on the side for shell strength. Use the feed cost calculator to estimate what a layer ration costs for your flock size.
Cold and heat
Barred Rocks are genuinely cold-hardy (Conservancy lists cold hardiness among breed characteristics), but the single comb is the weak point. In temperatures that regularly drop below 0°F (-18°C), comb tips can develop frostbite, especially after wet weather ahead of a hard freeze. A thin layer of petroleum jelly on the comb points helps on the coldest nights. They tolerate heat reasonably well, though laying slows above about 90°F, so provide shade, cool water, and a dust-bathing spot in summer. For an unexplained sharp drop in laying, illness, parasites, or injury, consult a licensed poultry veterinarian or your local extension service.
How Barred Rocks compare
First-year production under normal backyard conditions.
| Breed | Annual eggs | Egg color | Type | Vs Barred Rock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barred Rock | 220 | Brown | Heritage | Baseline |
| ISA Brown | 300 | Brown | Hybrid | Higher |
| Rhode Island Red | 260 | Brown | Heritage | Higher |
| Australorp | 280 | Light brown | Dual-purpose | Higher |
| Buff Orpington | 220 | Light brown | Heritage | Similar |
The Barred Rock is the best pick for a beginner or family who wants a calm, cold-hardy bird that lays well for years and can still fill a roasting pan at the end of its run. It was one of the first American breeds, recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1874 and developed in Massachusetts, and that long farm history shows in how forgiving it is to keep. The Livestock Conservancy graduated Plymouth Rock from its Conservation Priority List in 2023 — the breed is no longer listed, which matches hatchery TLC prints of “Not Listed.” If your only goal is maximum eggs, a hybrid like the ISA Brown will out-lay it, and a Rhode Island Red edges ahead on raw count. The trade-off is that Barred Rocks age more gently and tend to be friendlier in a mixed backyard flock.
Use the breed selector quiz to compare breeds against your goals and setup.
Frequently asked questions
How many eggs does a Barred Rock lay per year?
A Barred Rock lays 200 to 250 eggs per year, with about 220 the realistic planning figure for a healthy first-year or second-year hen. Production-type hatchery lines sit near that Normal; exhibition stock prints lower and is a separate population.
How many eggs does a Barred Rock lay per week?
A Barred Rock lays about 4 to 5 eggs per week on average under the Normal plan (~4.2), and about 4.8 at peak in spring under High conditions. The weekly count drops in winter and during the molt, then climbs back as the days lengthen.
When do Barred Rocks start laying?
Barred Rocks usually start laying between 18 and 22 weeks of age, most often around 20 weeks. The first eggs are smaller than normal and the size comes up over the next month or two.
Do Barred Rocks lay eggs in winter?
Yes, Barred Rocks lay through winter better than most breeds because of their heavy bodies and dense feathering. Output still drops as daylight falls below about 12 hours, so a 14 to 16-hour lighting schedule keeps them closer to their spring rate if you choose to use one.
How many eggs will 6 Barred Rock hens lay per year?
Six Barred Rock hens lay about 1,200 to 1,500 eggs in their first year (6 × 200 to 6 × 250), or roughly 1,320 under the Normal of 220 (6 × 220). That total drops as the flock ages — about 1,110 in year two and 871 in year three. Use the egg production calculator to model your own flock by age and season.
How long do Barred Rocks keep laying?
Barred Rocks stay productive for about 4 to 5 years, with peak output in years 1 to 3. They commonly live 6 to 10 years, so they spend their later years as gentle, low-output members of the flock. The Conservancy notes hens may continue to lay into their tenth year at a declining rate.
Why did my Barred Rock stop laying?
A Barred Rock usually stops laying because of the annual molt, short winter days, age, or going broody, and stress from predators or a flock change can do it too. If none of those fit and the stop is sudden, or you see signs of illness or injury, consult a licensed poultry veterinarian or your local extension service.
Sources
- The Livestock Conservancy — Plymouth Rock Chicken: around 200 large brown eggs per year (breed-level, all varieties; Barred is the original); dual-purpose; cold hardiness; calm/docile; usually good sitters and mothers; weights hen 7.5 lb / male 9.5 lb; APA 1874; graduated 2023 (not on the current CPL — matches hatchery TLC: Not Listed).
- Utah State University Extension — Managing Chickens From Chicks to Peak Egg Production: Plymouth Rock at 200–250 eggs per year; brown; heavy; curious/calm; good for meat and eggs — source of this page’s disclosed High of 250.
- Lafeber — Plymouth Rock: about 200 eggs per year; large brown; varieties including Barred; adaptable to hot or cold; graduated from Conservancy CPL in 2023; can be broody.
- University of Florida IFAS — Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks (PS029): ~14 hours of daylight needed; short autumn/winter days cut production without supplemental light — cited for the daylight claim on this page (replacing a prior Sources line that mis-attributed IFAS via thepoultrysite.com).
- Hatchery and commercial — labelled as such, not research: Cackle Hatchery — Barred Rock (production): 200–220 eggs/year; large brown; Broody: Setter; APA: Yes; TLC: Not Listed. Cackle — Barred Plymouth Rock Exhibition Type: 120–180 — distinct show population, not this page’s Low. Cackle — White Plymouth Rock: 200–280 — a different color variety; the old guide High of 280 matched White Rock’s print, not Barred production (which Cackle caps at 220). Conflating those varieties was the source of the old High error.
breeds.json for Plymouth Rock (Barred) stays at 220 — it was not changed in this re-source. That figure already matched Cackle’s Barred-production ceiling and sat between Conservancy’s ~200 and USU’s 200–250 band. The guide’s Normal moved from ~250 to 220 to match.
For health concerns about your flock, consult a licensed poultry veterinarian. Last reviewed August 2026.