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Buckeyes will probably be your best bet. Mrs. Nettie Metcalf selected for them to be active & work around the farm not just sit in front of the feed bucket and eat. They are noted as the most active America breed, so would make a nice choice for free range conditions.
Rocks & Delawares would also be good choices.
Delewares already at very top of list but having trouble finding a supplier that can provide 400 chicks as a group.
Major opjective of this project is to determine if different breeds vary in foraging / ranging habits as they are touted to be.
I have always noted the behavior differences from strain to strain within breeds. I have had a strain of Barred Rocks that were average foragers, and one that I think forage remarkably well. I have a group of New Hampshires that are great foragers and are assertive competitiors. I am playing with a new group, and though beautiful and calm do not range far and do not appear that they will make what I would call good foragers. They just are not active enough. All of my Delewares have been active and make relatively good foragers.
I took the boy's fishing the other morning, and what is the first thing we see? A small flock of game mixes out ranging. I was very impressed with their range. They must have been near 750' to 850' from their "home", and moving fast. I enjoyed watching the speed in which they hit spot to spot. Apparently they had learned to hit the different fishing and camping sites looking for tasties. I wish that I had that kind of area to allow my birds to forage. I only have a couple acres with neighbors (and dogs). My lot is narrow. If things change, I will probably become interested in something else.
I agree that Buckeyes probably are the best bet as far as American dual purpouse breeds.
