Marans and RIR cross

[greathorse]

I have a nice little group of RIR (hatchery stock) that will continue to be my production group. I often have more eggs than I can eat or sell (I dont work at that very hard) so I hatch from time to time. I also have some Marans and extra roosters. The Marans are very high quality stock. Anyone have a picture of a RIR hen with Wheaten Marans roo? How much darker will that first generation of RIR hens lay? I dont want to create a new breed or anything just wondering what I would get. Might be able to save a very good Marans rooster that way.

Any thoughts?

 

[blackdotte]

Don't expect any real difference in egg colour between RIR & Wheaten Marans X RIR. This is because the dark egg gene of the Marans is thought to be recessive, possibly polygeneic and also cumulative. Futher crosses to Marans should give darker eggs,
David