Crossing the Old Local Breed Deutsches Lachshuhn with the Layer Breed White Rock: Effects on Laying Performance of the Females and Fattening Performance of the Males

We tested the novel cross of old local breed Deutsches Lachshuhn and layer White Rock, as well purebred Lachshuhn, for their suitability dual-purpose chickens under 100% organic husbandry conditions, compared performance welfare with two crosses New Hampshire × Bresse which are already established in Germany. Chicks were reared mixed-sex groups until slaughter males at 15 or 18 weeks life. Data on laying animal recorded hens’ 72nd week Laying Rock was almost twice high that hens, while fattening did not differ. realized a balanced profile 242–250 eggs per hen alive final live weight 2924–3105 g after rearing. The efficiency pair (one male one female) very similar (3.69–3.77 kg feed kg−1 marketable product), less efficient (6.35 product). Crossing therefore improved overall birds to Lachshuhn.