Two tips Andy....

If you want egg laying hens you will have to buy pullets (already sexed, guaranteed hens); DO NOT buy straight run chicks. If you buy 15 straight runs, you will end up with 12 roosters and 3 hens at the best; and 15 roosters at the worst.

Make sure you're brood box has a lid that small, chick eating predators cannot get through, like a 1" wire mesh. Rats, mink, weasels, etc. all love a gourmet meal of young chicks....who doesn't?

Ike