Oh how I remember helping with those hens...........My daughter was the first hen expert who was consulted on a regular basis! to start with.The first lot of hens they got from a&k poultry, May be able to get some quality free range hens from Katy's eggs(have facebook page) torphins often have batches of pullets and some older ones in lay available cheaply or may donate a few. They also sell hen food cheaper than local suppliers as now have a feed bin so get hen food delivered in bulk and will fill a bag for you at cost.
Are they still having a go at incubating ?