rent-a-chicken

[Mobuck]

Today the Tompkins’ franchise – Rent The Chicken – has more than 50 affiliates across 23 states and three Canadian provinces, offering the materials, feed and chickens to city folk who want fresh eggs and maybe a little joy and animal companionship.

Rent The Chicken contracts are for April-October or May-November, and include a chicken-keeping book, bag of Chubby Mealworms, 100 pounds of feed, a chicken coop, water bowl, feed dish, and two chickens. Standard rental price for the season? $450. But there’s also the standard upgrade package for $550, and the Deluxe package (4 hens) for $650.

Hard to believe but apparently true. City folks will "rent a chicken".

 

[Pat-inCO]

Hard to believe but apparently true.
City folks will "rent a chicken".

And then find out how much hassle it is:
1) Keeping predators out.
2) Keeping pigeons out (steal the food).
3) Cleaning their mess.
4) Keeping them warm in the Winter and cool enough during the Summer.
5) Listening to the neighbors gritch.
6) etc.

Eggs will not cost too much over two dollars each.

 

[tinman]

.................I'm in the wrong business.............

 

[Fox Mike]

Hard to believe but apparently true.
City folks will "rent a chicken".

And then find out how much hassle it is:
1) Keeping predators out.
2) Keeping pigeons out (steal the food).
3) Cleaning their mess.
4) Keeping them warm in the Winter and cool enough during the Summer.
5) Listening to the neighbors gritch.
6) etc.

Eggs will not cost too much over two dollars each.

Let's also not forget the distinct smell when it gets warm.

 

[Mobuck]

Maybe I've forgotten but just how "companionable" is a chicken????????

 

[Kevin]

We live in an urban area and have some friends who just built a chicken coop and got 10 chickens. I’ve heard in the Dallas city limits you can’t have chickens, but they live in another town close by.

I’d rather have a dog to hug and pet than a chicken.

 

[Selena]

The idea that city people would rent a… Pretty much anything, doesn't really surprise me. And let's face it, the service provider is probably someone who is only interested in stewing hens and has figured out a way to not only have someone else feed and house the birds but pay him for the privilege. When you look at it that way, it's simply genius. Especially if you can get a contract with the renter guaranteeing financial responsibility for the condition of the animal on return.

I don't recall the guy's name that pointed out there is a sucker born every minute. This guy is simply found a new way to exploit the suckers.

 

[Ray Newman]

A fool and his/her money are soon parted.

 

[caryc]

I'll bet they don't rent pigs.

 

[Selena]

I'll bet they don't rent pigs.

The idea of a Hampshire or a Duroc in a fenced in suburban yard? Now that would be true comedy! Then again, have you priced pot-bellied pigs lately?

 

[arfmel]

I used to enjoy watching my chickens hunt for grasshoppers. But not enough to pay $900 a year to do it.

 

[Poco Oso]

We live in an urban area and have some friends who just built a chicken coop and got 10 chickens. I’ve heard in the Dallas city limits you can’t have chickens, but they live in another town close by.

I’d rather have a dog to hug and pet than a chicken.

Not to mention, those dog eggs taste terrible. :wink:

 

[Fox Mike]

I would rather have some Guinea hens. At least they make great 'watch dogs'.

 

[gasbag]

After a lot of research and talking to prospective customers Tompkins
is launching a "Rent a Unicorn" program in March.
They expect it to be a huge success.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I'll bet they don't rent pigs.

:wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[powder smoke]

Today the Tompkins’ franchise – Rent The Chicken – has more than 50 affiliates across 23 states and three Canadian provinces, offering the materials, feed and chickens to city folk who want fresh eggs and maybe a little joy and animal companionship.

Rent The Chicken contracts are for April-October or May-November, and include a chicken-keeping book, bag of Chubby Mealworms, 100 pounds of feed, a chicken coop, water bowl, feed dish, and two chickens. Standard rental price for the season? $450. But there’s also the standard upgrade package for $550, and the Deluxe package (4 hens) for $650.

Hard to believe but apparently true. City folks will "rent a chicken".

As PT Barnum noted! There's a sucker born every minute! ps

 

[Mobuck]

The odd thing is: they convinced at least 50 suckers to buy franchises to engage in the business.
FWIW
Those little 4, 5, or 10 hen enclosures are a hot item locally. The idea is to move the pen every day. Unfortunately, many chitty folks get distracted or lazy or just don't want to move the chicken pen and after 3-4 days, there's no grass left. Later, weeds grow in the now very fertile 3' x 4' bare area of their yard. OOPS

 

[caryc]

I'll bet they don't rent pigs.

:wink: :wink: :wink:

I think you got it. :wink: You're probably the only one.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I'll bet they don't rent pigs.

:wink: :wink: :wink:

I think you got it. :wink: You're probably the only one.

:wink:

 

[bogus bill]

When I was a kid we had a few acres and the folks had a few of everything. We had some ducks, geese and chickens. Dad would clip one wing so if they got up enough speed to fly it would be in a circle so we could catch them.

 

[Poco Oso]

I think you got it. :wink: You're probably the only one.

I'd be willing to bet a large number of folks on here have read Lonesome Dove, or saw the movie. :wink: