Which came first? The chicken or the egg?
If you’re one of Marie McGivern’s clients, that answer will depend on which program you’ve signed up for — Rent the Chicken or Hatch the Chick.
McGivern and husband Ron offer chickens for rent to customers in the Kamloops, Vernon and Kelowna areas from their small family farm in Cherry Creek.
Or, you can choose to experience first-hand the wonder of hatching and caring for baby chicks by renting an incubator/hatching package.
Marie said she sees it as a natural extension of their farm to provide opportunities for people to connect with, and learn about, their food sources.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, food security has become more top of mind as people seek to learn what they can do and take an active role in sourcing local food.
Support for urban hens was identified in the City of Kamloops’ Food and Urban Agriculture Plan in 2015 and it’s been nearly four years since the city set up an online registry for people to register their hens living in residential neighbourhoods.
Referring to themselves as “Homestead Marie and Ron,” the McGiverns view offering chickens for rent as a natural extension of their farm connecting with the community.
They provide everything you need — a two-hen or four-hen package, two sizes of coups, all the feed and dishes, delivered and picked up for you. They provide full phone and web support and require no long-term commitment.
Many of their customers have young children and, Marie said, being able to go out and collect an egg is a big event for the urban kids.
She said it’s an activity that can connect a family together.
The Rent the Chicken/Hatch the Chick program is available from April or May to October (depending on location) and is accepting reservations.
For more information, call 844-310-8782 or go online to rentthechicken.ca.
