Hi, as Debbietta has said, unless you buy chicks that can be sexed at hatching, you could find yourself with cockerals, and chicks will need to be kept under a heat lamp. You're better off going for point of lay hens, that way you shouldn't have to wait for months for your first egg. Rhode island reds are good layers of light brown eggs but it really is down to personal choice. Try to stay clear of silkies if it's eggs you want as they are well known for going broody, and they don't lay for several weeks when broody. Take your time choosing, and have a good look at the birds, are they lively? do they look healthy? are they breathing normally? are the conditions they are kept in good? There's a garden centre near where I live and I was looking at their hens a couple of weeks ago, a lot of them were standing around with their eyes closed, this is not a good sign. good luck and don't forget to post pictures when you get them.