Marans X Rhode Island Reds to improve laying quantity

[lotzahenz]

Has anyone crossed Marans with RIR's to make a more production style hen that lays a large, roundish, thick, darker brown egg? What crosses worked best? Was it worth it to get more eggs, but less color? How about a Wellsummer x RIR cross? Comments?

I would like to develop a layer with great, moderately dark egg, that lays well thru the entire year, at least 5 eggs per week.

 

[Katy]

I have my welsummer hens in with my Marans roos. The eggs are still nice and dark, but they lay better and don't go broody like my straight marans do.

 

[scgamecock]

You could probably cross a RIR roo with the cukoo maran and get a sexlink.Since they are not completely barred it may not work but if it did you could sex the chicks at birth.

 

[Ashkynv5]

I mixed my RIR rooster with my midnight majestic Moran a they lay such beautiful dark eggs. The hens an roosters are beautiful