The Barred Rock is one of America's oldest and most well-known brown egg layers. Female Barred Rocks are known for their year-round production of nice brown eggs. Many use the hackle feathers from the males for dry flies/fly tying. Males can also be utilized for meat production as they are a faster growing bird than some others. Females can be expected to lay 275+ brown shell eggs per year. Chicks are black with white patches on their head and wing tips. This is an excellent free range bird that also does well in confinement.

Valley Farms Hatchery has selectively bred the Barred Rock since 2015.