I'm Cindy and live in Redhill, so not far from you! I've had chickens for a year and love it. I have 3 bantams at the moment who have just started laying! This is highly addictive and if i had a bigger garden i'd have more! What are you planning to get, and how many?
This website is the best for information and help! Love ya BYC
Most of us replace our flocks every couple of years for egg production. Some keep the same hens for the life of the hens. It all depends. The ones that replace their flocks, like myself retire their birds to freezer camp. It is all up to you.