just saying hello

Hello everyone, this is my first time on this site.
I live on the isle of Lewis, that's at the top west of scotland.
I am thinking of getting some chickens in but know nothing about them, someone up the road gave me four ducks which have now started to lay, our first two egs arrived this morning.

I have a few questions which will help me make up my mind, can anyone help please.

How long will hens lay eggs for, one year, two years etc,

How long do they live for,

Do I need a cockerell,

Do chickens (and ducks) need worming, how often and what with,

Anyway that's it for now, cheers, sam

Hi debbie and Ann C,

Many thanks for both replying, we've been on lewis for 2 year, house sorted, garden sort of sorted, now just need the chuckies !, my neibhour has offered me 10 3 year olds for free, with the  hen house, and I was put off by being told that chickens only lay for about 3 years and then go to the big hen house in the sky, I will try and find out what sort of chickens they are and get back to you.

We have lost a duck to mink, but at least there are no foxes on the island. we only have mink and hedgehogs because some well meaning twerp thought it would be a nice addition to the wild life, they are causing mayhem.

Cheers for now, Sam and Cheryl @ burnside on Lewis