Hello from a different Brian. I have 16 hens of 6 different breeds here. I spent a fair amount of time researching the breeds I chose (last year), and don't regret my choices at all. All 6 breeds would do well in Kansas, as they are all cold-hardy heritage breeds our settlers used on the east coast (with the exception of the Black Australorp, which is a newer breed).
Here are my breeds. They are all chosen for egg production, good temperament, hardiness, ability to lay through hot summers and cold winters: Rhode Island Red (RIR), Delaware, Black Australorp, Buff Orpington, (Plymouth) Barred Rock, and Ameracauna. Note: the Ameracaunas lay a few less eggs, perhaps, but I chose these girls for their colored eggs. I find that they lay an egg every other day, but each of my two have taken sabbaticals on egg-laying which lasted weeks on end. None of my others have done this.
Commercial egg producers use the white leghorn chicken for large white eggs. These are nervous and flighty birds. While they are economical eaters, I don't find them to be pleasant to be around. Also, if you want to propagate chicks the natural way, know that leghorns have lost the instinct to lay on their own eggs, for the most part.
Of the breeds I own. I have to say that you can't go wrong with any as a dual-purpose breed. They are all large enough to be a meat bird, and they are all excellent egg layers (Ameracuanas excluded, though they can be great layers, they are more hit and miss). No one on this list can deny the superb utility of the breeds I have listed! My favorites happen to be the Australorps and Buff Orps. Exceedingly gentle, quiet, friendly birds! I also want to add this: Delawares are a tremendously good breed that often gets over-looked. They are excellent layers (large pinkish-brown eggs), and mine are the largest birds in my flock.
I don't eat my hens. Nothing against it, just not for me (my hens are my pets). But if you want meat birds, I don't think anything compares to the Cornish Cross chicken. Butcher the hens at 5-6 lbs live weight, which is 6- 8 weeks. The Roosters can be grown to 8-10 lbs live weight in 10-12 weeks. You use 21% protein feed with these birds. If you don't want meat birds
specifically, then get one of the dual-purpose breeds I mentioned above.
My (hen) breeds were selected for all the reasons stated above...as well as one other (a minor point): coloring! My hens make a striking palette on the farm, and a carton of their eggs is a picture painting in and of itself! Dark browns, pink-browns, light browns, and blue-greens. I don't sell my eggs are the farmer's market, I trade them for other's goods. How can you say no to a beautiful box of eggs that look like the picture below? I ask you..how can you!? I can't hear you!!! Still can't hear you! Ah...that's better, correct...you can't say no!
All of my hens came from Ideal Hatchery in Texas.
I hope this helps. I think you'll find the breeds I suggested to be excellent. They are, in my opinion, the best overall breeds, period!
Brian
