Folks on the fence about committing to owning backyard chickens near Rochester, Minn., have the option of renting two hens and a coop from a new business, Our Backyard Chicken LLC.

After raising chickens for a few years and hearing comments from interested family and friends, Tim and Julie Johnson decided to start a rental business.

In 2015 they rented out their first units: 4-by 6-ft. coops on wheels with handles to move easily, two Red Star hens, 50 lbs. of feed, a bale of pine shavings for bedding, water and feed containers, and a lesson on how to care for chickens. They offer two options: monthly rental for $125 or seasonal rental for $375 from May/June to the beginning of November.

"This year business has really grown, and we're doing our best to build coops to keep up with demand," says Julie Johnson. "It's a mixture of families with kids and couples who want to have chickens and maybe grew up on farms."

Besides the interest in knowing where their food comes from, having chickens helps educate children, customers tell them.

Half of the hen renters live outside on a few acres. Customers within city limits purchase a $20 permit from the city good for two years.

The response has been interesting, Johnson notes. After renting last year, one family decided to build their own coop. Another liked the seasonal rental and asked to get the same hens back in 2016.

The Johnsons selected the Red Star breed because they are reliable and easy to care for. The hens are 7 to 9 months old and if they die of natural causes, the Johnsons replace them. If the renter is responsible for the death " such as their dog killing the chicken "replacement cost is $25. So far there have been no problems with wildlife predators. Customers are mindful about protecting their birds, and the Johnsons are always available to answer questions by phone or through email.

"We get feedback through their chicken stories. They are so excited about getting their fresh eggs. The chickens are spoiled and tame when we pick them up at the end of the season," Johnson says.

Customers can purchase the hens for $20, but they must build their own coops. The rental coops are not insulated for winter.

The business has been rewarding, Johnson says, as customers learn about chickens and realize how good fresh eggs taste.