FEATHERED BEGINNINGS | 5 Stones Family Farm

Welcome to our chick hatching rental kit program: Feathered Beginnings. Our goal is to bring the wonder of chick hatching and an amazing farm experience directly to your home or classroom. Our all-inclusive chick hatching rental kit provides everything you need for a successful and educational farmschool experience.

Read on for more information about our kits or click here to be taken to our FAQ

OR, if you already know all about our program click here to start your order!

The Power of Hands-On Learning

As first-generation farmers AND homeschoolers, these kits marry two of our passions while reigniting the next generations interest in reconnecting with our roots. Say goodbye to boring textbooks and hello to an adventure that'll have your kids fully engaged in the learning process! Pickup and return are simple and flexible with the added bonus for families to visit our family farm in Lincoln. You'll meet the farmers behind the program and see where the chicks got their start! This is especially helpful if deciding to return the chicks because it can help children see where the chicks will live. Note to teachers: While we arent equipped to host field trips to our farm yet - we invite you to visit the farm where you can take pictures and videos to show your class where the chicks will be graduating to!

Dive into the world of science, biology, and responsibility with our all-inclusive rental kits, designed to make learning fun, engaging, and unforgettable.
Watch as your children witness the miracle of life firsthand, from egg to chicks, with our reliable top-of-the-line incubator, seven fertilized eggs and everything (no really..everything!) included.
With our digital guides and live support, you'll feel confident every step of the way, from setting up your brooding box to caring for your chicks like a pro. Mom, dad or teacher will learn so much in the process right alongside the kiddos!

"We have been so pleased with our experience! The curriculum and reminders have been thorough, useful and easy to navigate and we hatched 7 out of 7! Enjoyed as a family and school wide in our school library!"

- Angie R.

So what's included in the kit? Is it really EVERYTHING you need?

Our kit includes absolutely everything you need to hatch and care for the chicks for up to 1 week.

Top-Of-The-Line Incubator & 7 Eggs

We use the Brinsea brand, one of the most reliable incubators on the market. Using high-quality equipment offers precise temperature and humidity control which help ensure a successful hatch. Ours also features automatic egg turning and a convenient water well that can be filled from the outside to take the stress off of you. 7 fertilized eggs will also be included from our own farm so no chasing down an egg supplier!

Printable Unit Study and Guides

Detailed step-by-step guides for every part of the hatching process are included so you will know exactly what to do and when to do it. We also send you an elementary unit study guide that can be used from start to finish for the full 4 weeks OR can be picked apart to use just the activities you choose for your family or classroom. The unit study includes tons of information about chickens and their history, fun facts, vocabulary, observation worksheets, science experiments, book lists for younger and older kids, video recommendations, and much more!

Hatching & Brooder Supplies

For candling we include a small flashlight in the kit so you can candle the eggs to see the baby chicks growing inside them. We also include a warming plate to keep the chicks warm once they hatch. Warming plates provide consistent gentle heat that mimics a mother hen, and are much safer than heat lamps, reducing the risk of overheating, accidental burns and/or fire hazards. Last but not least, we include a feeder and waterer.

Easy Clean-Up

Brooder Box with Lid

As part of the kit you will receive a clear bin with a ventilated lid. Ventilation is important for proper airflow maintaining a healthy atmosphere but also keeps the vulnerable chicks safe from any curious pets that may be in your home.

Live Text, Email or Call Support

We understand that this process can be intimidating but we want families and classrooms to be able to enjoy these kits even if they are completely inexperienced. This is why our step by step guides are so thorough! However, just in case you run into issues or questions during the hatching process and/or caring for your chicks, you can reach out! We are available via personal phone for text or calls or via email for support. You are not in this alone!

Consumable Items

We provide enough puppy pads (for absorbency of smell), bedding for the bottom of the brooder and chick food to last you 1 week. If you are interested in keeping the chicks for an additional week we do charge a small fee and will include enough consumables for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to mention this to us when reserving so we reserve enough time for you!

Once you're done spending 7 days cuddling the adorable little balls of fluff you can send them back to us. Pack everything up, no need to worry about cleaning any of the equipment, and deliver back to our farm, including the chicks! Want to keep the chicks or gift them to a friend? You can do that too! Want to keep the chicks but can't have roosters in your neighborhood? We offer a rooster return allowing you to return your roosters to us.

Total Price for 28 day experience is $225

When you consider the cost of purchasing all these items individually, along with the priceless educational benefits and unique hands-on experience it offers your whole family or classroom, $225 is truly a bargain. This kit not only saves you time and money but also provides unparalleled opportunity to nurture curiosity, responsibility, and a love for science and nature in your kids.

I Want to Reserve My Kit

Bring the Wonder of Life to your Classroom or Home

This is truly a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience that brings learning to life - literally! Over the course of 28 days, your students or children will witness the incredible journey from egg to chick - fostering curiosity, responsiblity, and a deeper understanding of life sciences. Whether you're a classroom teacher looking to enrich your curriculum or a homeschool parent wanting to spark wonder at home, this program delivers unforgettable, real-world learning.

More than just a science leson, this experience touches on empathy and the miracle of nature. It's perfect for all learning styles and creates powerful conversations about life cycles, animal care and agriculture. Our program has been loved by teachers, co-ops, and families across the region - and we'd be honored to bring it to you.

In the spring of 2024, school librarian, Mrs. Rathe in Rocklin, hosted a kit in her library. Kids watched in awe as 7 chicks hatched and over the next week the library was THE place to be as kids from K-6th grade popped their head in between classes and before and after school to check up on the chicks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scroll down for some answers to common questions we get from customers. Have a question that isn't addressed here? Reach out to us!

What comes in the chick hatching rental kit?

Our kits include: A top-of-the-line incubator, 7 fertilized eggs, a brooding box (with lid), a warming plate, waterer, feeder, an egg candler to monitor the development of the embryos, live text/email/call support, puppy pads, chick food and bedding for 1 week, a student unit study and digital guides for every step of the process.

Does the Incubator Brand really matter?

Cheaper or DIY incubators often fluctuate in temperature and humidity controls which are critical factors for healthy chick development. Our professional-grade incubators ensure a stable and safe environment that gives each egg the best chance to thrive. When you're guiding kids through this once-in-a-lifetime experience, dependable equipment makes all the difference.

Why a warming plate vs a warming lamp/light?

We include a safe low-heat warming plate instead of a traditional heat map. Warming plates are perfect for homes and classrooms. Heat lamps can get dangerously hot and pose fire risks or possible burn risks around curious little fingers. Warming plates mimic a mother hen without the hazards. It is definitely the safer choice for indoor spaces and children.

How Long Is the Rental For?

Rental is for 28 days total. 21 days for the eggs to incubate and 7 days to care, play and observe the chicks.

What's the best day to start my rental?

This will differ depending on if you are hatching in a classroom setting or at home in a homeschool or family learning environment. When you reserve the kit we will go over this with you and recommend a weekday that will work best for your circumstances.

What happens if the eggs don't hatch?

While we strive for a successful hatch every time, and have not yet had to deal with a situation where no chicks have hatched, nature can be unpredictable. If none of the eggs hatch, we offer a guarantee that allows you to schedule another hatch free of charge. Additionally, live support is always available to help troubleshoot and provide guidance to maximize your chances of a successful hatch rate.

How many of the eggs can I expect to hatch?

While we strive for a high hatch rate, the exact number of eggs that will hatch can vary due to factors such as different seasons, the health (seen or unseen) of the parent hen and rooster, the incubation process and other factors. On average, you can expect a hatch rate of around 70%., or 3-5 eggs. More information on what to do with eggs that don't hatch is included in the instructional guides emailed to you 1 week before your reservation.

How does pickup and return work?

Because we are located in rural Lincoln I will usually try to coordinate a time where we can meet - usually somewhere in Lincoln or Rocklin to get your kit to save you drive time. You are also invited to visit our farm for pickup of your kit. For return we can do the same thing. If you are returning chicks I highly recommend visiting our farm so your children can see where the chicks will be graduating to. As you would expect, children can become emotionally attached to the baby chicks and I find that this process helps them to feel happy about the next stage for the chickies. Teachers, this is a little different for you. Since we cannot yet accomodate an entire classroom at our farm we recommend you return the chicks and take lots of pictures and videos to bring back and share with your class!

What are all the options for the baby chicks?

At the end of the rental period, you have a few options for returning the chicks.

You can choose to keep the chicks and raise them at home. We can give you book and website information to help support your transition to long term care. If you choose to keep them and find out in a few months that you have a rooster we offer a Rooster Return Program - and we will take the rooster back! Keep in mind that, if keeping the chicks, you will need to source your own warming plate, brooder box and other supplies to take care of them for the weeks after your rental is returned. If you need recommendations on products please don't hesitate to reach out and we are happy to provide you with information on the equipment we use.
The other option if you cannot keep the chicks (or do not want to!) is to return the chicks to our farm (this is where the farm visit comes in!). Currently, about 30-50% of the chicks returned are kept as free-ranging chickens on our farm and provide us with bug eating power in our orchard and delicious farm fresh eggs. The remaining ones are sold or donated to be beloved backyard chickens for local families.

Is it safe for my kids to handle the chicks?

Yes, with proper supervision and hygiene practices, it is safe for the kids to handle the chicks. We strongly recommend washing hands thoroughly before and after handling the chicks and being gentle to ensure the chicks well-being. More information on how your children can safely handle the chicks will be in the guide.

How do I integrate this experience into my homeschooling curriculum or classroom?

Our kit comes with a student unit study that includes educational resources and activities broken down by the week. This guide was designed to either be used from start to finish throughout the 28 days with weekly vocabulary words, diagrams, history, fun facts, science experiments and more each week or, if you are short on time or looking for a less formal structure you can pick and choose which activities you want to incorporate into your learning each week. The unit study also includes recommended books and videos to enhance the learning experience.

When will I receive my guides?

The student unit study and all guides will be emailed to you 1 week before the start of your rental. This advance delivery is to give you an opportunity to look through the guide and collect any library books or other resources in advance to be ready to go when you get your kit! It is also helpful to get your eyes on the guides beforehand so you know what to expect.

What age is the Unit Study aimed at and what is included?

You guys, this Unit Study is my baby! I spent months putting it together and trying to find the right balance of just enough information to make it educational and just enough hands on learning to make it FUN while the kiddos wait for hatch day! The Unit Study is mainly aimed at the elementary level (around 3rd grade) but can be easily modified up or down for your elementary students. While the unit study was not made for older kids, we wanted to include some items for the homeschooling families with mixed ages. We made sure to include a short list of more in-depth books and video recommendations covering topics like history and anatomy so that the older kids can go where their interests lead them. Throughout the unit study your learners will cover different vocabulary words, anatomy, science experiments, history of chickens, fun facts, how to care for them, behavior observations and more.

Can I extend my rental period?

Yes! If, for any reason, you would like to extend your rental by a week you can for an additional $25. This can be great if you are driving from farther away, want more time to cuddle the chicks and/or are undecided if you want to keep the chicks or not. Please just let us know this when placing your reservation so we can account for this in our scheduling. **Note: if you need to extend the rental last minute please reach out to us. We may still be able to accommodate a last minute extension depending on our schedule or can be flexible on a return date that works better for you. If, you are a no show on your return date and have not communicated with us you will incur a late fee of $45.

Will there be any smell from the chicks or the hatching process?

While the chicks themselves do not have a strong odor, there can be a mild smell associated with the brooding box. To minimize any potential smells we provide puppy pads in each rental kit. These help to absorb moisture and greatly reduce odor. If a lot of water is spilled in the brooder box you will want to make sure you clean it up promptly, otherwise the box can produce a stronger odor.