The Coop Connection
by Joey Macari
July/August
In the heart of modern homesteading and community camaraderie lies a unique venture hatched from the age-old desire for simplicity and a closer bond with nature – Rent The Chicken. With Jenn Tompkins and her husband Phil at the helm, this quirky endeavor sprang to life during their migration from city living to Pennsylvania countryside bliss – igniting a passion for renting feathered friends that would soon have communities clucking with excitement.
“Our start-up story is a unique one,” says Tompkins. “We moved from the city to the country to enjoy a slower pace and to implement a homesteading lifestyle.” Inspired by the discovery of chicken rentals in distant locales like Alabama and Australia, Homestead Phil’s simple question, “Do you want to rent some chickens?” laid the groundwork for Rent The Chicken’s inception in 2013.
In the early days of the pandemic in 2020, the Tompkins’ witnessed an unexpected surge in renters as people sought solace in backyard activities. “We had a renter who had people stopping by to say hello to the chickens during that time,” says Tompkins. “She got to know more neighbors that summer than any summer prior.”
By providing a pathway to sustainable living, Rent The Chicken empowers renters with the knowledge and tools to embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle. “We have so many success stories that highlight the positive influence Rent The Chicken has had on community bonding and empowerment,” Tompkins explains, reflecting on the lasting impact of their rental program. “Each local Rent The Chicken Affiliate Partner is a small business owner,” Jenn explains, emphasizing their commitment to community engagement. Through partnerships with schools, senior care homes, and families, Rent The Chicken offers tutorials and programs like “Hatch The Chicken” that inspire and educate participants of all ages.
For those who want to take a crack at the hobby, renters can book a reservation on the website or over phone and a delivery person brings everything you need right to your home—which includes a portable coop, two to four egg-laying hens, and all necessary supplies. At the end of the rental period, renters can choose to adopt their feathered friends along with their coop and supplies if they’ve developed a passion for backyard chicken keeping. Otherwise, Rent The Chicken schedules a pickup.
From shy children finding their voice through chicken keeping to families embracing a more sustainable way of life, Rent The Chicken’s impact on community bonding and empowerment in the surrounding areas is tangible. Tompkins reflects on the sense of accomplishment felt by renters as they master the art of chicken keeping, fostering connections that transcend backyard fences. “It’s lovely to hear how our renters connect with other folks at the bus stop, grocery store, work environments, and even doctor appointments all over discussing their chickens,” Tompkins says.
The impact goes beyond the coop, as one renter turns into a local celebrity—putting smiles on the faces of neighborhood kids who can’t wait for her feathered friends to make their seasonal comeback. “She didn’t even know her neighborhood had that many kids until she started renting chickens from Rent The Chicken,” says Tompkins. Another heartfelt story: a single mom found unexpected avenues for her son’s development through the coop, as he not only honed his fine motor skills but also blossomed socially. “He also came out of his shell (see what I did there?) with adults that he wouldn’t normally engage with,” Tompkins shares playfully.
This summer Rent The Chicken hopes to be a part of local camp programs or simply families looking to bring the hens home, because, according to their website, “even chickens need a vacation.”
As Rent The Chicken continues to spread its wings, it’s clear that its impact on communities is nothing to cluck at.
To learn more or make a reservation to bring your own chickens home, please visit rentthechicken.com.•