I too was going to mention the Delaware - they do make a better carcass, well better than most dual purpose birds.
To the original poster - I strongly recommend you try a few out, instead of going whole hog with one kind or another. I raised dual purpose for years, and even now I have them in my laying flock. The cockerels I get - I tend to process at about 16 weeks - and I use the meat for casseroles or soup.
But the truth is, I love KFC kind of chicken. I want it tender when I fry it. And you get that kind of meat with meat birds...in less than 8 weeks. There is just the two of us on a cattle ranch - a dozen of those birds will feed us chicken for the year easily.
I know you think you want to raise your own, and not be dependent on a company. Well if I couldn't get them, we would not starve - and they are not that expensive...worth at least a few head if you have a separate set up. I don't think they do well with traditional birds.
MRs K
To the original poster - I strongly recommend you try a few out, instead of going whole hog with one kind or another. I raised dual purpose for years, and even now I have them in my laying flock. The cockerels I get - I tend to process at about 16 weeks - and I use the meat for casseroles or soup.
But the truth is, I love KFC kind of chicken. I want it tender when I fry it. And you get that kind of meat with meat birds...in less than 8 weeks. There is just the two of us on a cattle ranch - a dozen of those birds will feed us chicken for the year easily.
I know you think you want to raise your own, and not be dependent on a company. Well if I couldn't get them, we would not starve - and they are not that expensive...worth at least a few head if you have a separate set up. I don't think they do well with traditional birds.
MRs K