what would you folks suggest?

I want some more chicks this fall. something that lays nice brown eggs and is very hardy. this heat down here is a real bbbbbbbear. I have rhode island reds and bufforfington. {mostly} I have been pretty lucky, I mist them down almost every day. It appears to me that if you keep their feet cool, they dont pant. I have only lost about 4 all summer. and I have around 80. in 3 hen houses.never enough.

I'd try the Naked Neck aka "Turken". Suppose to have excellent heat tolerance, high food to egg ratio, large brown eggs, high disease resistance and a lovely, friendly personality. The do look funny--but I think it is cute.

My Marans hen lays beautiful brown eggs and hs done fine all summer.

yes, i too have found that keeping their feet cool helps. they get to stand in "moats" LOL.

ditto on the naked necks. or any light feathering bird. my curly frizzled cochins are half naked... but they are bantams...

yes, never enough chicks. the breeds you have were designed for New England winters...