Would think that you should check with a local agricultural agency (college or government) for a recommendation re: the type of corn that would be best to plant in your area for chicken food.

After your corn matures in the late summer you let it dry completely and then "shell" (remove) the kernals from the cob. This can be done by hand but if any substantial quantity is needed you will probably want a mechanical sheller. The design of these has not changed in a hundred years and they are very easy to operate and productive!

Stombergs has one that is exactly like the one I used on my grandparents' farm when I was a child. You might find one at a farm auction at a lesser price than the new one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hand cranked corn sheller

That's a great idea. I bet I could find a used one, and it's something that would be just as good 50 years later too- solid construction.
For some reason we don't have easily accessed agriculture extension offices in Canada, though there is a good site that I've used that I could likely fine corn varieties on. Thanks!

I've had some chickens that just love to pick the corn off the cob and then those that won't touch it unless it's shelled. Also, there are those that have to have it cracked to eat.

cheaper and easier to purchase from a local farmer than it is to grow and properly maintain this for 4 months. corn here is under$1.60 a bushel. come and get it I still have 13,000 bushel in the grain bin. RANDAL

Well first I would recommend Blue Clarage, Reid's Yellow, Krug's Yellow, Bloody Butcher or Greenfield Yellow as good, productive dent corns suitable for your needs as animal feed.
But second I have to agree with the other posters that suggest you buy the corn. I have raised corn for my birds the past two years and have found it to be a bit labor intensive when at the small scale. This last summer I grew a row of Broom Corn (Sorghum bicolor) and found this crop a lot easier. The chickens love it and the grain is small enough that you don't have to 'crack' it before you can feed it. Good yield as well.
This year I am looking around for new (to me) grains to grow for my spoiled birds.
If you think of any other grains one might grow for feathered worker/pets, let me know.
Brian