I started off with a dual breed (good layer, but meaty enough to eat if the need arose) - Buff Orpingtons. For me personally, they were so-so on the laying, did NOT mix well with any other breed, and they eat, ALOT. I'm gradually switching over to Black Austrolorps. It's a personal preference. Lots of people go with the Cornish X when they decide they want meat, and stick with a good laying breed for their eggs. I haven't tried the X's, but my MIL did. Out of 25 birds, she wound up with 4 survivors. I like options with my flock 