If you're getting them from a hatchery White Rocks will probably be your best bet. I've seen many hatcheries claim that it's their best meat/egg breed (raise the males to butcher and keep the hens as excellent brown egg layers). Mt. Healthy in particular claims to have a very good strain of White Rocks (http://www.mthealthy.com/store/948458/product/WR-sr). Many hatcheries also promote their New Hampshires as their best colored (vs. solid white) meat/egg breed.
You may also consider Dark Cornish (aka Indian Game). They're nothing like the White Cornish X, they grow at a far more natural pace. They have been selected for larger breasts (more breast meat) than other dual-purpose breeds, but they're still a good forager. The hens are not efficient layers (they're big and eat alot and don't lay as well as the popular laying breeds), this breed leans more towards meat production.
If all you're wanting to do is raise some dual-purpose roosters on pasture, you may consider taking advantage of some hatchery bargains for extra male chicks. Here's a couple links you may want to check out.
http://www.mthealthy.com/store/948458/product/AHC (for every 50 chicks ordered they offer to also send you an additional 25 free chicks)
http://www.cacklehatchery.com/page10.html#frypanspecial
You may also consider Dark Cornish (aka Indian Game). They're nothing like the White Cornish X, they grow at a far more natural pace. They have been selected for larger breasts (more breast meat) than other dual-purpose breeds, but they're still a good forager. The hens are not efficient layers (they're big and eat alot and don't lay as well as the popular laying breeds), this breed leans more towards meat production.
If all you're wanting to do is raise some dual-purpose roosters on pasture, you may consider taking advantage of some hatchery bargains for extra male chicks. Here's a couple links you may want to check out.
http://www.mthealthy.com/store/948458/product/AHC (for every 50 chicks ordered they offer to also send you an additional 25 free chicks)
http://www.cacklehatchery.com/page10.html#frypanspecial
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