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 (rentthechicken.com). 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 unique,” says Tompkins. “We moved from the city to the country for a slower pace and to implement a homesteading lifestyle.” Inspired by the discovery of chicken rentals in distant locales, Homestead Phil’s simple question, “Do you want to rent some chickens?” laid the groundwork for Rent The Chicken’s inception in 2013. In 2020, 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,” 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. “Each local Rent The Chicken Affiliate Partner is a small business owner,” Jenn says. 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 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. 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 Ridgefield, Wilton and 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. One 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?),” Tompkins shares playfully.
As Rent The Chicken continues to spread its wings, it’s clear that its impact on communities is nothing to cluck at.
