Question 1

Just how good do those eggs taste?

Accepted Answer

Watch Homestead Jenn and Homestead Phil live on Pittsburgh Today Live making fresh eggs!

Question 2

I just found out about you – can I still rent?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Click here for the location closest to you.

Question 3

I have fallen in love with the chickens, can I adopt them?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  During the rental, the hens can be adopted with or without the coop!

Question 4

We go away for a week in the summer. Can I still rent?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If your friend or neighbor is unable to check in on the chickens, bring the hens to us in a carrier or ventilated box, and we'll chicken sit for you while you are away! For Standard Rental Packages and "Chicken Only" Rental Packages, the fee is $25 per week. For Standard Upgrade, Deluxe, and Eglu Rental Packages, the first week is included with your rental. Each additional week is $25 per week.

Question 5

Know someone who has everything and you're in need of a gift?

Accepted Answer

The Rent The Chicken Gift Options are a perfect solution!

Question 6

What is Hatch The Chicken?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 5-week indoor hatching experience to families, senior care homes, schools, libraries, and more to see the progression of egg to chick without the commitment. Click here for more information!

Question 7

Looking to nominate a friend, family member, or organization to receive a Rent The Chicken or Hatch The Chicken package through Give The Chicken?

Accepted Answer

Visit www.GiveTheChicken.com for more information!

Question 8

Are farm fresh eggs healthier than standard store eggs?

Accepted Answer

Jennifer Trainer Thompson, author of The Fresh Egg Cookbook: From Chicken to Kitchen, Recipes for Using Eggs from Farmers' Markets, Local Farms, and Your Own Backyard, published by Storey Publishing, says that an egg's nutrition contains protein second only to a mother’s milk.
Your backyard chicken eggs also contain 9 essential amino acids and 13 essential vitamins! Each egg has a low fat content of just 5 grams—and it's one of the few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D. According to Wikipedia, natural Vitamin D is claimed to have benefits including promoting good bone health, anti-cancer properties, and more!
A study by Mother Earth News showed that farm-fresh eggs from pasture-raised hens are healthier than those from confined factory-farm hens, including:
1/3 less cholesterol
1/4 less saturated fat
2/3 more vitamin A
2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
3 times more vitamin E
7 times more beta carotene

Question 9

Is the Chicken Feed provided organic and non-GMO?

Accepted Answer

We have organic or non-GMO feed available upon request. Because the cost of premium feed is higher, there is an upcharge if organic or non-GMO is your preference. A few of our locations only offer non-GMO or organic feed as part of their standard rental packages.

Question 10

Do I need to have a rooster in order for my chicken to lay eggs?

Accepted Answer

No. A rooster is only required if you want fertilized eggs that can become chicks.

Question 11

Do hens make much noise?

Accepted Answer

No. Your hens will make some noise, but they won’t crow like roosters. Roosters crow all day long and not just in the mornings!

Question 12

What if my Rent The Chicken dies?

Accepted Answer

We understand that animals sometimes get ill or predators find crafty ways to have chicken for lunch. We will replace chickens free of charge within our Free Delivery areas, as long as the death of the Rent The Chicken was not due to neglect. Chickens have been known to live for more than 10 years.

Question 13

What happens if a chicken gets sick?

Accepted Answer

We provide full support for your birds during the rental period. If a chicken becomes sick while in your care, simply give us a call.

Question 14

How many years does a Rent The Chickens lay eggs for?

Accepted Answer

Chickens have their highest egg production during the first three years of their life. After that, the number of eggs laid per week will gradually decrease. Some chickens have been known to still lay one egg per week at the age of seven.

Question 15

How old are the Rent The Chickens?

Accepted Answer

The hens we bring to your home are typically between six months and two years old.

Question 16

How many eggs per week will the Rent The Chickens lay?

Accepted Answer

You can expect a total of 8–14 or 16–28 eggs per week from your Rent The Chicken hens, depending on your Rental Package.

Question 17

Do you use any growth hormones?

Accepted Answer

Never!

Question 18

Do you really give me enough feed for the entire rental period?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We supply the feed, food dish, and water dish. You just need to make sure the hens have food and water available at all times!

Question 19

I'm going out of town for three days, will my Rent The Chickens and eggs be ok?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  Just make sure their food and water is full when you leave. You can gather the eggs when you return.  If you plan on being gone for longer than three days, please ask a friend or neighbor to check on their food and water while you are out of town.  Don't forget to have them pull the eggs for you! If your friend or neighbor is unable to check in on the chickens, bring the hens to us in a carrier or ventilated box, and we'll chicken sit for you while you are away! For Standard Rental Packages and "Chicken Only" Rental Packages, the fee is $25 per week. For Standard Upgrade, Deluxe, and Eglu Rental Packages, the first week is included with your rental. Each additional week is $25 per week.

Question 20

How long is the rental period?

Accepted Answer

Rentals are for 5–6 months depending on your region. In warmer climates, rentals are available to start any time; however, in cooler climates, rentals are delivered in April or May. We do sell out often, so be sure to place your deposit sooner rather than later!

Question 21

Should I wash the eggs?

Accepted Answer

Eggs should only be washed just before cooking. The hens leave a natural protective coating on the eggs to keep them fresh. Eggs can last for days without refrigeration as long as you don't wash them. We always recommend the water test to tell if your eggs are good or bad.

Question 22

How can I check to see if the eggs are good before I crack them open?

Accepted Answer

All you need to do is a water test. Fill a container with water and place the egg in it. If the egg sinks, it's a good egg. If it floats all the way to the top, it's probably a spoiled egg—so please discard it.

Question 23

Will dogs or cats hurt my chickens?

Accepted Answer

We have never had a chicken hurt from a stray alley cat. It is highly unlikely that a cat will hurt a chicken—usually, the cats are more scared of the chickens!
We also have a system for introducing your family dog to your new chickens. Our system has worked so well that sometimes, when we come back to pick up your hens at the end of the rental season (if you chicken out), the dogs are unhappy with us taking the coop away!

Question 24

What about raccoons, coyotes, hawks, owls, or other predators?

Accepted Answer

We know that your hens are part of your family. We also understand that some people may not want to keep chickens after the rental period, so we’ve created a system to ensure those birds can safely return to our farm. Because of these two factors, we do our very best to provide the safest coop possible for the birds. We like to say our coops are predator resistant, not predator proof. If a predator is determined, they may be able to get into the coop. This is very rare, and if it happens, we will replace the lost birds and inspect the coop for any design changes that may need to be made.

Question 25

Can I free range my Rent The Chicken chickens?

Accepted Answer

We recommend supervised free-range time to help deter predators. In addition, the coop has an attached run, which allows the hens to enjoy the feeling of free-ranging as you move the coop through your yard—while still keeping them protected.

Question 26

I have chickens. Can I offer Rent The Chicken from my farm / homestead?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please click here for more information!

Question 27

Can a Rent The Chicken rental be delivered to a school?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Click here to read about our School Partnerships and how we cater to a school's calendar year.

Question 28

How do I find out more about the Homesteader bringing our chickens or hatching  rental?

Accepted Answer

At the bottom of each specific location link, there’s a description about each of our local Homesteaders!

Frequently Asked Questions