Recommendations on breed

[fmiller]

I have had a farm flock on chickens for almost a year. I am planning to start breeding some to sell pure bred hatching eggs and possibly sell some show quality birds. I live in Kansas and am wanting a breed that can withstand the cold and not get to hot in the summer. My plan is to have breeding pens with enclosed runs because we can not let them free range due to all of the predators (hawks, bobcats, coyotes). I know that everyone has their own breed that they really like, but does anyone have any recommendations of breed. I want to be successful, so I don't want to start out with a breed that is hard to get the right conformation. I know it depends on the quality of stock that you begin with, but any suggestions.

 

[pdsavage]

Sussex all around great bird

 

[SilkiesAndSuch]

As you can tell, I love silkies. However, I would recommend Brahmas. They can withstand the hot and cold really well, lay nice large brown eggs, and are a very beautiful bird. They are also gentle giants and make great mothers and friendly roosters. Extra roosters you end up with make excellent meat birds and will feed many due to their large size. I prefer Light Brahmas to Buff Brahmas, but Dark Brahmas are pretty too.

 

[BarredBuff]

Orpingtons
Dominiques
Rhode Island Red (Rose Comb)