UCP Episode 016: Rent-a-Coop – A Way to Try Before You Buy Chickens

The Urban Chicken Podcast - The Urbanite's Podcast Resource for Keeping Backyard Chickens

Rent-a-Coop – Tyler Phillips & Diana Samata

So you’re chicken curious, but feel trepidation about jumping head first into backyard chicken ownership. If only there was a way you could try out backyard chickens without having to commit. Now you can try before you buy chickens for your yard thanks to Rent-a-Coop.

Rent-a-Coop was founded by Tyler Phillips with the assistance of his girlfriend/co-owner Diana Samata. The business rents out a coop, hens and all of the necessary chicken accoutrement to people who want to try out keeping chickens without committing to the endeavor permanently.

Rent-a-Coop is a labor of love for Tyler and Diana who hand build all their own coops, raise all their own chickens from babies and run all the other aspects of this unique business. It was through trial and error that Tyler perfected the best coop design for the business’ needs. Drawing inspiration from several other common coop designs available on the market, Tyler was able to copy the best aspects of each design to create the extremely versatile and durable Rent-a-Coop chicken tractor as shown in the pictures.

Tyler Phillips and Diana Samata – co-owners of Rent-a-Coop

On today’s episode, Tyler not only discusses his background in chickens and how he came to start a chicken rental business, but also shares the details of his business model and his philosophy on entrepreneurship and keeping backyard chickens. Having grown up in a family that had a petting zoo and lots of animals, Tyler has an unusual insight into how out of touch many Americans have become from nature and the animal kingdom. Though he has come across more than one grown adult that could not identify a cow from an alpaca – he does believe that there is a growing trend in America of its citizenry returning to their chicken-keeping roots.

Hear Tyler’s story and insights on this week’s episode of the Urban Chicken Podcast.

Rent-a-Coop Chicken Tractor – light, compact and durable

Chicken News:

• Check out the all new Chicken Calendar of Events Page LINK

Main Segment Resources:

• Rent-a-Coop Website LINK
• Rent-a-Coop Facebook PAGE
• Potomac Alamanac – “Venturing into Rent-a-Coop Business” ARTICLE
• WA City Paper – “Something to Cluck About: RentACoop” ARTICLE
• Modern Farmer – “Love Chickens, But Hate Commitment?” ARTICLE
• N.Virginia Magazine – “Hen House Rules” ARTICLE
• WA Post – “Backyard Chicken Boom Produces Fowl Result” ARTICLE
• Squeals on Wheels – Tyler’s Parents’ Petting Zoo Website LINK
• Tiny Tails to You – Tyler’s Sister’s Petting Zoo (Austin) LINK