Stumbled across this thread because I have a motley hatchery flock (3 BRs, 2 NH Reds, 1 white rock, two partridge rocks, and one cuckoo maran roo) I picked up ridiculously cheap -- two of them are pushing 3 years old, I'm pretty sure, at least three of them are first years, judging by egg size (and the fact that the eggs have gotten bigger in the six weeks I've had them) -- they truly are a motley crew
and a delight. BUT! 4-5 eggs daily out of eight hens in peak laying season, well... A month and a half of chicken ownership and already I'm getting greedy (those eggs are SOOOO good!) So I'm figuring on culling the "slow" girls late this fall, and in the meantime hatching some mutts who should be just about ready to replace them by December.
It's a pity it's not the other way 'round (NH roo, maran hen) because then I'd have sex-links, but what the heck! Has anyone done a cuckoo maran daddy/anything else mom cross? How'd it turn out? I'm also considering buying just a couple more hatchery chicks (probably cochins) so I can raise a few good brooders along with the mutts. None of my current group seem the least bit interested in momming.