Looking for a True Dual Purpose...

[Jazzi Ranch]

I am planning on getting some chicks this spring, I just need to decide what breed!
I would like good layers, but something that would also be worthwhile to breed extras for meat.
I've been researching various heritage "dual purpose" breeds and it seems the opinions are quite mixed. Some say they are great for "non-cornish meat" and others say don't bother!

Right now I'm debating between Barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds... but looking for experienced opinions!

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I would go barred rocks or buff Orpingtons
Above all th3 Australorp is the best dual pourpose breed.

 

[Jazzi Ranch]

I would go barred rocks or buff Orpingtons
Above all th3 Australorp is the best dual pourpose breed.

Barred Rocks I'm at least somewhat familiar with already having had them in the past (but wasn't looking for meat at that time)
Buff orpingtons I've been a bit leery of since we had them when I was younger and the roosters were psycho! Lol.
Thanks for your input!
Do you have any experience with New Hampshire Reds? Someone told me they lay like RIR but have a bigger body.

Barred Rock: 1
Rhode Island Red:0

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I have a buff Orpington rooster and he is a scaredy-cat when I come in the coop he is the first one to run! It is all about their personality

 

[Jazzi Ranch]

I have a buff Orpington rooster and he is a scaredy-cat when I come in the coop he is the first one to run! It is all about their personality

Yeah I guess bloodline can make a big difference too. The ones we had were hatchery stock and of the 3 roos we ended up with out of the batch, all 3 were loony! As an 8ish year old kid they've just been a very vivid memory when I think of that breed! Lol
The Hens were sweethearts though.

Barred Rock: 1
Buff Orpington: 1
Rhode Island Red: 0

 

[BuffOrps32]

I’d say to go with Austrolorps but if I had to choose from your I’d go with Buffs.

 

[Ra_]

I don't see them anymore but if you see true Dixie Rainbow birds, grab them.
Not Rainbow. Those hens reach about 5 pounds. Dixie Rainbow hens are 8-10 pounds.
They love to free range and are cold hearty.
They do well here in Florida if provided a shady wading pool when temps reach 90.
I grow too attached to kill my birds for food but I can't say the same for my fox and hawk friends, so I got to taste Dixie Rainbow on two occasions and they're delicious.
The eggs are huge.

 

[MillersFarm]

I personally think bielefelders are a really good dual purpose variety.
Egg production is 250-300 eggs a year, They lay large light to dark and even speckled brown eggs. Cockerels are about 8 lbs and pullets 6lbs. day-old Chicks are also auto sex-able so you'll be able to tell pullets and cockerels apart looking at their down color which is another plus for me~

 

[Jazzi Ranch]

Thanks everyone for your input! Someone on one of my Facebook groups suggested Malines. And I just so happened to find someone that breeds them not too far from me and I will be able to get some chicks from them! So I will be trying those out! Excited to experience a new breed that I didn't know existed until yesterday! Lol

 

[RNK Farms]

I have and had many types of chickens. In my experience the Barnevelder is the best. They go broody as well and the roosters are gentle giants to us as we handled them as chicks a lot. Great egg production and very good meat