I agree with Chuck about getting 4 hybrids, all at he same time and from the same place, so long as they've all been in the same pen together. This is so they already know each other, then you're much less likely to have fighting when you put them in together in your run at home. If they're from the same breeder but come from different pens, they won't know each other and there will be squabbles when they do meet up. Also, try to avoid getting a few, and then one or two more a week or so later, as the second additions will be bullied by the earlier arrivals who will have alreadysettled in. (This will be especially difficult if you try to just add one more bird to the original group.)
Hybrids are usually docile, easy to tame, hardy, and lay well. However, be aware that this comes at a price - because they are commercially bred to lay intensively for up to 2 years and then be culled by the farmer when egg production declines sharply in year 3, they are often less long-lived than many purebreds., and can be prone to problems such as peritonitis when getting on a bit. But they are good for first-time keepers because they are so easy to manage and productive, and then you can get something a bit more 'special' for your 'second generation' of hens, maybe.
You may be offered birds ranging in age from 16 weeks to 24+ weeks. The younger ones will have relatively underdeveloped pink combs and are not likely to come into lay until about 22-24 weeks, maybe not until 28 weeks. However, if you get them young, they have more time to settle in and finish growing before beginning their lay, and it's wonderful when one day you find the first egg in the nestbox! Older POLs may already be laying, but it's always a shock to poultry to be moved to a new place, so this may upset their laying pattern initially. Also, with the older ones, you've 'lost' quite a few of their eggs before buying the birds, and there's only so many eggs that a hen will lay in her lifetime. If a pullet is in lay, her comb will be bright red and large, and she will crouch and spread her wings wghen you put your hand on her back, hoping for the cockerel to mate her.
Do you know any other local poultry keepers who can recommend a good place to buy? Or, if you say where you live, maybe Forum members could suggest somewhere good? Good luck - do let us know how you get on.
