Have you tried looking into a local BYC thread? You may be able to buy what you want from a breeder rather than a hatchery. No shipping charges or min order to deal with. IMO- the quality is also better. My hens are very healthy - even the "mutts" keep laying year after year.
There will be shipping charges, unless you find someone extremely generous. But then if you're talking about LOCAL, like in the same town, you're definitely right on that one.
Good for you! It really is a good way to go, though it seems hard. Definitely find the thread for Rhode Island people and find some contacts that way! I believe if you look under "Forums" you will find one entitled "Where am I? Where are you?" and then scroll through those until you find your state.Unfortunately, I'm only in 6th grade and I can't move or anything. I am the one who is doing all the research and that kind of stuff (like paying for everything) and I have to work with what I have.