Hi, Mr Beaks (Jennifer}, What I did was Phone a poultry farm (egg farm) & ask them if they have any old hens that their getting rid of. They should let you have them for a few dollars. Every twelve months they get new fresh layer chickens & get rid of the old ones. That is what happens here in Southwest Victoria Australia. There may be a different rule over where you are. I would just make a phone call & ask & go from there. Just have find out what time of year they change their chickens. Good luck. Over here they change over in autumn (fall). It is spring here now so it should be autumn (fall) where you are. Look up Egg Farms on the internet & find one closest to you & give them a call.
Thank you so very much, I will definitely do that !