Ever been confused about the differences between the Barred Plymouth Rock and the Dominique? Well, you’re not alone! Many folks have a hard time distinguishing between these two chicken breeds.
In total, the Barred Plymouth Rock is a larger breed with a single comb and bar-shaped coloring, while Dominiques are a medium-sized breed with a rose comb and “V” shaped coloring.
In this article, we will explore the key similarities and differences between these breeds to ensure that by the end of this article, you will be able to easily distinguish between the Barred Plymouth Rock and the Dominique.
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Cheatsheet
| Attribute | Barred Plymouth Rock | Dominique |
|---|---|---|
| Comb Type | Single | Rose |
| Coloring | White and Black Bar Pattern | White and Black/Gray “V” Pattern |
| Eggs/Year | 210 Large Brown Eggs | 230 Medium-Large Brown Eggs |
| Weight/Size | Large (Hens: 7-8 lbs., Roosters 9-10 lbs.) | Medium (5-6 lbs., Roosters 7-8 lbs.) |
| Broodiness | Below Average | Above Average |
| Temperament | Friendly and Docile | Friendly and Docile |
| Climate | Excellent in Cold and Warm Climates | Excellent in Cold and Warm Climates |
The Barred Plymouth Rock and Dominique History
Both the Barred Plymouth Rock and the Dominique chicken have fascinating histories rooted in early American poultry farming. The Barred Plymouth Rock, developed in the 19th century, originated in New England, particularly Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It quickly gained popularity across the United States due to its exceptional egg-laying capabilities and suitability for meat production. The breed played a significant role in supplying nourishment to farmers and homesteaders.
On the other hand, the Dominique chicken, also known as the Dominicker or Pilgrim Fowl, is one of the oldest American chicken breeds, tracing its roots back to the 18th century. The Dominique chicken was prevalent during the colonial era and was highly valued for its adaptability, versatility, and ability to thrive in various climates.
Both breeds have made lasting contributions to American agriculture, with the Barred Plymouth Rock earning widespread recognition and the Dominique embodying a rich heritage as one of the oldest chicken breeds in the country.
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Comb Types
The quickest and most obvious way to tell these chicken breeds apart is the differences in their combs. The Barred Plymouth Rocks have a single comb, while the Dominiques have a rose comb.
Barred Plymouth Rock chickens typically have a single comb. It is a medium-sized comb that has a single row of evenly spaced, upright points. Single combs are more advantageous in warmer climates.
Dominique chickens have a rose comb with an extended spike sticking out the back. The rose combs are better for cooler climates since they aren’t near as prone to frostbite as the single combs.
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Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Coloring
The color patterns may seem similar, but they are different. Barred Rocks have straight black and white lines of equal width, creating a barred pattern. Dominiques have more irregular and jagged lines, forming a V shape and appearing more mottled with grayish bars instead of black.
In terms of gender differences, Barred Rock roosters are a bit lighter in color than the hens. On the other hand, Dominique roosters are much lighter than the hens because the white bars on their feathers are twice as wide as the dark bars.
If you look at the pictures above, you can see some V shapes on the Dominique, while the barred rock looks more like a sequence of bars!
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Egg Production
On average, Dominiques will lay around 20 more eggs per year than the Barred Plymouth Rock.
Dominiques lay around 230 eggs per year, while Barred Plymouth Rocks lay around 210 eggs per year.
It would be difficult to tell these chickens apart based on egg production since it comes out to less than one egg difference per week. However, there’s another way you can tell based on their eggs and that’s their size.
Dominiques will lay medium to large brown eggs while Barred Plymouth Rocks will lay only large brown eggs. If your eggs are about the size of the large eggs from the store and no bigger, then you probably have a Dominique. However, if your eggs are usually larger than the store’s large eggs, then you’ve probably got a Barred Plymouth Rock!
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Weight and Size
In Total, Barred Plymouth Rocks are all around larger birds than Dominiques.
Barred Plymouth Rock hens weigh roughly 7-8 lbs. while their roosters weigh between 9 and 10 lbs. The Dominique hens weigh in at 5-6 lbs. and the roosters at 7-8 lbs.
Side by side you’d almost think the Barred Rock was about 1.5 times as large as the Dominique!
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Broody or Not?
Barred Plymouth Rock chickens are not generally known for being a highly broody breed. While individual hens may occasionally exhibit broodiness, it is not a prominent trait commonly associated with the breed.
On the other hand, Dominique chickens tend to go broody more often than the average breed of chickens.
While both make excellent mothers when they do go broody, expect Dominiques to go broody more often than Barred Plymouth Rocks!
If you’re looking for a truly broody breed, check out my article on the Buff Orpington!
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Temperament
Both Dominique chickens and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens are known for their friendly and docile temperaments. So for this comparison, it’d be really hard to tell the difference between the two.
I’ve read reports that suggest that the Barred Rocks were friendlier, but I’ve yet to see the real proof in it.
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Climate Advantages
While both Barred Rocks and Dominiques do well in warm environments, they both have some advantages in cooler climates.
While the Barred Plymouth Rock is a larger chicken, making it easier to stay warm with more body fat and muscle, the Dominique has a rose comb that fares better in colder climates.
As mentioned above, the Dominique’s rose combs are far less prone to frostbite than the Barred Rocks single comb.
To see the best breeds for cold environments check out my Top Ten Chicken Breeds For Cold Climates article!
Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique: Asking the Chicken Enthusiasts!
For this article, I reached back out to my group of fellow chicken keepers. I thought it would be fun to see if experienced chicken farmers could tell the difference between these two based solely on pictures where you could see the combs. Sure enough, the first comment was from a person who said the left was the Dominique!
Conclusion
While these two breeds are very similar in looks, I hope this article helped clear up any confusion you had between them! For another fun comparison article, check out my article on Americana or Ameraucana: What’s the Difference?