We've got to hand it to /u/Kangoo78180, this is the kind of egg-citing genetic puzzle that makes you want to grab a notebook, a cup of coffee, and a very patient rooster. The goal is clear: breed an olive egger (Marans hen × Araucana rooster), then cross that hybrid with something that lays more eggs per year while keeping the green shell color. It's part science experiment, part feathered dream, and we are absolutely here for it. This isn't just about egg color, it's about building a flock that works as hard as it looks good. And honestly, that's the kind of fowl play we can get behind.
Now, the big question is which rooster to bring into the mix. /u/Kangoo78180 has their eye on Rhode Island Red, Cream Legbar, or Sussex. Our take? Go with the Rhode Island Red. Here's why: Rhode Island Reds are reliable layers, they're known for churning out plenty of brown eggs year-round, and they bring hardiness and consistent production to the table. That's exactly what you want when you're trying to boost egg count without sacrificing color. The Cream Legbar is tempting because it lays blue eggs and could reinforce the green shade, but it's a lighter layer overall. The Sussex is a solid dual-purpose bird, but it doesn't add the same punch of egg output that the Rhode Island does. If you want more eggs and a green shell, the Rhode Island Red is your best bet. Just remember: the green color comes from a blue-shell gene (from the Araucana) plus a brown-shell gene (from the Marans). The Rhode Island Red will add more brown pigment, so you'll want to select offspring that still show a visible green tint, don't let the brown overwhelm the blue.
This whole project reminds us of another reader who was chasing the cluck-tastic DNA deets for their flock, testing Runner ducks and Cochins to understand inheritance patterns. That same spirit of curiosity is what drives this kind of breeding work. And let's be honest, there's something deeply satisfying about watching a hen lay an egg that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. It's the same feeling you get when you see This bird’s afro is so egg-citing it’s clucking adorable and realize chickens are just as ridiculous and wonderful as we think they are. Breeding for color and production is a long game, but it's one where every hatch brings a little surprise.
Here's the concrete takeaway: start with a Marans hen and an Araucana rooster to get your olive egger base. Then, cross the best olive egger pullet (the one laying the greenest egg) with a Rhode Island Red rooster. Keep careful records of which hens lay which shade of green, and only breed from the ones that hold the color best while laying frequently. Over a few generations, you'll get a flock that lays a consistent green egg and gives you more eggs per year than a pure Marans or Araucana ever could. One thing to watch: the Rhode Island Red's brown pigment can shift the green toward a darker olive, so if you want a bright green, you might need to circle back to a Cream Legbar in a later generation. That's the fun part, you get to decide what shade of green is worth the trade-off.