Should I crossbreed?

[Volkova]

I have a Buff Orpington cockerel and hen who currently live with 2 Araucana hens (tailed/no tufts) in one of my pens. I see the cockerel mating often with the hens and he is a great bird. The Araucanas are laying brilliantly too! I want to get some new chicks for my incubator after a fox raided our chick to pullet pen. I was going to order hatching eggs, but they won't be available for long time from my supplier. I want a good producer of eggs but a bird that looks slightly unusual and is unique. So, I was thinking, what would a Orpington-Araucana cross be like? Will they still lay blue eggs or switch to brown ones?

Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks for any help too!

 

[sourland]

They would look unusual and unique and the pullets would most likely produce khaki or olive green eggs.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Sounds like an interesting mix. Sometimes "mutts" are extremly striking, other times, well, they look like mutts! As long as you don't care about showing pure breeds, I would say go for it. We have a mixed flock and have been considering doing the same this spring.