The Barred Rock is one of America's oldest and 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 250+ brown shell eggs per year. Chicks are black with white patches on their head and wing tips.