The eternal mystery of “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” may or not ever be satisfactorily solved. But the question “what should come first for aspiring backyard chicken owners?” is easily answered in just three simple words- Rent The Chicken!

As we look to establish a stronger connection to our food supply, or to have more control over the origins of what we eat, many of us are searching for ways to produce food ourselves. A little more than a decade ago, the City of Pittsburgh updated urban agriculture zoning codes to allow residents who meet space requirements to keep a few cluckers without building permits or zoning approval, making it a bit easier to set up shop in one’s own backyard. But while a lot of people have the interest, many aren’t sure they’re suited to make the commitment, and aren’t ready to jump all the way in.

Enter Rent The Chicken. They show up with everything you need to begin- coop, hens, feed, food and water dishes, and instructional literature, and within a few days, the eggs will be a laying! And not just any eggs, high quality products with ⅓ less cholesterol, ¼ less saturated fats, and twice as much Omega 3 fatty acids as what you’ll find in the store. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where your food comes from.  When the rental period is approaching its end, you’ll have the option of scheduling a pickup, or adopting your small flock!

Rent The Chicken joins us at the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show as part of the Farm To Table Expo. They’ll bring some fine feathered friends; we’ll bring an assortment of vendors and speakers to showcase just how good buying fresh, buying local, and approaching your food with intention can be. We look forward to seeing you!