FAQ - My Chicken Rentals

Chicken Care 101:

We know being a temporary first-time chicken owner is a lot to handle for teachers and families, so here are a few things for you to know...

Already an expert? Rent now!

Do chickens eat bugs and ticks?

Yes! Chickens eat all the insects that annoy you like mosquitos, ticks, flies and gnats. They are a great source of protein for your hens. They also love worms, so if your kids turn over a rock and find one, be sure to give it to your chickens and see how they fight over it.

Can chickens survive in the cold winter months without heat?

Chickens withstand the Northeast cold temperatures in the winter quite well and DO NOT require a heat source of any kind. In fact, it is a fire hazard to have a heat lamp in your coop and we would recommend against the idea. As long as there is no draft inside the coop that would directly hit your hens they will be fine. Their winter feathers provide excellent insulation. Do make sure there is a vent hole in your coop to allow for proper ventilation all year round.

Do you have to refrigerate eggs?

No! As long as you do not wash your eggs you do not have to refrigerate your eggs. When the hens lay eggs there is a protective coating on them called the bloom, and this protects the egg from the elements. We recommend you wash your eggs right before using them.

Do you have to put your chickens to bed?

Chickens have an innate ability to put themselves to bed. Even if they are free ranging, they know that when the sun starts to go down, they need to get into their coop and get ready for sleep. This also helps them avoid predators that come out at night.

What other things from our kitchen do chickens love to eat?

Chickens enjoy many simple things, and it's easy to figure out what motivates them and what tastes good.
These are some of the compilations:

Pecking at red colors
Broccoli leaves
Cucumbers
Any type of citrus fruit
Cereal
Strawberries
Dandelion greens
Ripping worms in half

Mealworms
Sweet pepper core
Watermelon
Oats
Chia seeds
Lentils
Much more!

How do chickens stay clean?

You do not have to bath your chickens. To stay clean, believe it or not, they take dust baths. Chickens are very resourceful and will even dig holes in the ground to find dirt to bathe in. This keeps bugs and parasites off of their feathers. You will often see them flapping their wings in the dirt and lying on their sides to make sure they spread the dirt around. When they are done they usually shake off and a dust cloud will appear. This is all normal and healthy chicken behavior!

What's the difference between food in pellet form & crumble?

When you raise chicks from a young age they always begin eating crumble food because their beaks are small and it's easier for them to eat. After 16 weeks you can continue to feed your egg laying hens crumble adult food but you will find that there is a lot more waste around your feeder. Chickens make a mess with crumble food but pellets provide the same nutrition with less waste around your feeders. We give all our adult chickens pellet food at My Chicken Rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Rentals

We deliver a fully assembled coop with 2–4 friendly egg-laying hens, feed, bedding, and all supplies. You get to enjoy fresh eggs and teach sustainability without the hassle — we take care of setup and pickup.

Yes! □ My Chicken Rentals, LLC is officially registered in NJSTART, New Jersey’s vendor system for public schools.

You can verify us by searching:
Vendor Name: My Chicken Rentals, LLC
NJ BRC Number: 3152922
UEI: CWSGMHRQL4F8

This means your district can pay us directly through a Purchase Order (PO) — no extra setup required.

Yes! PEP grants can also cover our Chicken Coop Rentals for schools. □ It’s an amazing way to bring outdoor learning to life — and it won’t cost your school a dime. Apply through the link to get started!

Rentals are typically month-to-month, but schools often book for the spring and fall months. We tailor it to your schedule.

We’ll give you an easy care guide (perfect for students to help with). Our team handles setup, maintenance, and pickup — so it’s simple, safe, and fun.

Absolutely! With proper supervision, kids can safely feed and observe them. It’s a fantastic way to teach responsibility, empathy, and where our food comes from.

Contact us at [email protected] or visit www.mychickenrentals.com . We’ll help you secure your coop and guide you through using your PEP grant to cover it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chick Hatch

It’s a hands-on classroom science adventure where your students watch baby chicks hatch in real time! We deliver and set up everything — the incubator, eggs, and care supplies — and return for pickup once the hatch is complete. You just sit back and watch the excitement unfold!

Yes! My Chicken Rentals, LLC is a registered and approved vendor in NJSTART, the State of New Jersey’s purchasing portal for public schools and districts.

You can find us by searching:

Vendor Name: My Chicken Rentals, LLC
NJ Business Registration (BRC): 3152922
UEI: CWSGMHRQL4F8

This means teachers and administrators can book directly or issue a Purchase Order (PO) without any extra paperwork — we’re already approved!

Absolutely! PEP grants can cover 100% of the cost for New Jersey public school teachers. So don’t let funding hold you back — just apply here and bring this unforgettable STEM experience to your classroom!

About 16 days from setup to pickup. You’ll get to see the full life cycle — from egg to fluffy chick — right before your eyes.

Totally! We perform daily flock health checks, disinfect all equipment between programs, and give teachers easy care instructions. The chicks are well-loved and returned to our farm afterward to live happy, healthy lives.

Yes! It meets NGSS Life Science Standards and enhances your STEM and inquiry-based learning goals — it’s science, empathy, and excitement all in one program.

Easy! Just fill out our booking form or email [email protected] . You can pay directly or request an invoice/PO for your district.