Where are you located?I have 4 Australorp hens. They are the bomb. Best laying birds of all the ones I have. They have laid all winter so far. I have a little banty that was determined to sit an egg around Christmas. I think she would have tried to hatch a golf ball. She was very determined and stubborn, so I added 4 more eggs under her. She hatched them all. At 3 weeks, they are almost as big as she is. They are 1/2 Australorp and BCM or Ameracauna.
I have been looking and looking for some BCM hens and an Ameracauna hen or 2. No luck from my area so far. Shipping for hatching eggs is a little out of my reach right now.
You are very fortunate to have someone who is willing to help you like that. Congratulations on your new place and your newest addiction. They are addicting! Lol!