You did not say whether you wanted to start chicks or are looking for hens laying or ready to lay. You also didn't say whether you wanted breed them, have laying hens for your own use, or are hoping to sell eggs or hatching eggs.
I started with chicks from several places, all labeled as pullets and got 99% roosters. I got some from local sellers on Craig's List. Two of the chicks I got from one place ended up being from hatching eggs from another Craig's List seller that I got some chicks from, so they ended up being related, which defeated the purpose of buying them different places. Also, the local feed stores get their chicks usually shipped as day old chicks from regional breeders. It is very difficult to find pure breed chicks, although many are labeled as such. Most of the ones I bought did not end up being the breeds they were said to be either. I was hoping to get heritage breeds and ended up with something else altogether. The only way to be sure you get females is to wait until they are old enough to be nearly ready to lay. I have found that most places charge extra for pullets, but they aren't all pullets. If getting some roosters isn't a problem for you then you will probably want to start chicks and have them friendly with you. Also, if you do plan on having some roosters, you will want them to grow up together so they get along.
Also, many places advertising on Craigs List and those sold at the feed stores don't give you the required paperwork showing they've had an inspector come out and check for certain diseases. It is also wise to do as you are doing and to get into the local forums. There you will hear of which backyard breeders had sold chicks with beak problems, spraddle leg and low survival rates. You don't want to invest time and resources and support breeders which are not properly caring for their birds.
The stock show is on this weekend and it's a good opportunity to see several breeds of well groomed birds up close and see which ones turn you on. Different breeds appeal to each of us and you will want ones you can warm up too, (unless you are planning on raising meat birds).
Then again, if you've got your coop ready, your heat lamp, bedding, drinker, feeder, and extra time, you'll probably want to rush down to
Tractor Supply or Russell Feed, or Mastermade feed in Grapevine, or up to Denton,.. and pick out some cute chicks and marvel at how they change every day and discover what they are as they grow and look forward to eggs in about 6 months!
