Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I have a new franchise idea!

Last November I wrote this post about a great idea for a new business franchise. It was a dough baby-sitting service venture that, to be candid, never quite got off the ground.

I don't understand why.

I even had sample advertising literature and everything. But now I have a new franchise idea that I know you're going to want to hear about.

I don't have any cool advertising stuff yet...

Because I don't actually start this venture until July 9.

But since we're friends and all, I wanted to give you a heads up about the possibility that may become available to you soon!

I am now, officially, a chicken sitter.

Yes! You heard me correctly.

For 2 1/2 weeks I am going to babysit our Granddaughter's pre-school teacher's five chickens.

Mr. Jenny, the Grands and I attended a comprehensive chicken sitting training yesterday afternoon at the teachers house.

There are five chickens. One of them is named Buffy. I only remember that because we were told Buffy is broody and may try to peck at us. Hmmm.... Good to know.

We have to give them food and water and collect their eggs. We are supposed to take them cut up grapes, organic popcorn and/or blueberries for little treats.

To be honest, Mr. Jenny was less than excited about this idea.

"Why are we watching these chickens again?" he asked me in a sulky voice.

I asked him, "Have you ever taken care of chickens before?"

And he replied, "ummm.... no....."

And then I said, "Well, that's why we are. Life is about doing different things and it will be good for the girls...and ...ummm... you like eggs, right?"

And then he said, "So...you babysit three days a week and the chickens need fed and watered 7 days a week and you are going to drive out here every morning to do this because why?"

And then I said, "Well, I think it would be a fun little business...you know? To be a chicken sitter..."

And he said, "Is this another ridiculous idea like the dough sitting franchise one?"

And, of course I lied and said "Geez, no, that was just plain dumb."

Hee, hee.

But, seriously, isn't it a great idea? I think there is a big need for chicken sitters. Everybody has chickens now. Well, everyone except me. And all those people with chickens have to go away some time, right? And who will watch the chickens when they do?

See how brilliant this idea is?

I'm telling ya....this is wayyyy better than the dough-sitting idea. That was just plain silliness.

I'll keep you posted on how it's going as soon as I get started.

And in the meantime...here's a picture to get you in the mood to start your own chicken sitting franchise! Squaaawwwkkkk! Squaaawwwwwccckkkkkk!!!!!!!!!

post signature

58 comments:

Wanda..... said...

I get it Jenny...You're just a Mother Hen!

In Kauai the chickens run wild...no need for sitters!

♥...Wanda

Ms. A said...

I do love chicken and dumplings!

Terra said...

Um, Yeah - I am with Mr. Jenny on this one for sure.

jeff campbell said...

cluck, cluck, cluck...and cockadoodledo :-)

Unknown said...

Hmmmmm. I love chicken. Especially Greek style, in a pita with garden fresh tomato, red onion and my very special cucumber yogurt sauce.

ain't for city gals said...

If you ever need a partner Jenny...plus I have LOTS of ideas...lol...

Amy said...

Jenny - I need your services for my 4 chickens the week of July 17, k? Hope you have the jet ready! LOL

Debbiedoos said...

Jenny, you are one cool CHICK! I think you are onto something! Good luck with that:)!!~

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I think I would like to be a chicken sitter. I wanted to have a polka-dotted hot dog vending truck that plays polka music and I would call it "The Polka Dog" because I make great chili and I could sell dogs with chili and dogs with kraut, because my brother in law makes great sauerkraut. But my husband never bought me the truck. He never supports my lifelong dreams that I came up with two hours ago!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That's funny, Jenny. Have fun with the chickens.

Jocelyn said...

Hey...what a great idea....I will start a franchise with you...since I have been on a mother nature moment...I am feeding ducks, stray cats and found a doggie the other day!!! The owner finally came to get her dog..but it took long enough!!! The funny part...the ducks are eating the food I put out for the stray cat...hmmmmm strange!!!

Have fun with you new found friends!!!

Wishing you a great day!!!

Theresa Plas said...

Do you suppose you could train the chickens to babysit dough???

Angelia Sims said...

Love it! I love chickens, especially baby chicks. Well, the rooster is a little annoying, but what man isn't a little. HA.

Have fun! :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a scream...oops, I mean a squawk! ;-)

Cheryl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl said...

You jest, but chicken sitting is Serious Business. Note the capitalization. If you want to keep them happy (and alive), you may want to read this: http://www.cyndilou6.com/care.html.

Don't forget about the treats. By the time your 2.5 weeks is over, the'll have bonded with you forever and you'll have to keep them.

Terry said...

I don't need chickens to annoy me...I have two kids! And a husband! LOL

One Photo said...

That sounds like a fun thing to do but as to commercial success, I am more doubtful. I am sure your grandchildren will love helping out so it is a good baby sitting exercise too hopefully!

nono said...

Oh Jenny...I may have a job for you. Do you watch sheep too??

Theresa said...

You are so funny! Chicken sitting, I think that is an
"eggs-tra" good idea! I'm in:)

Have a blessed day! HUGS!

Jeanie said...

Well, I suppose it could be the wave of the future. Chickens are very de rigueur these days. Get Mr. Jenny on board and there could be an IPO soon.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh - what a great idea. Do you know HOW to watch chickens? Do you like getting up early in the morning? Can't wait to hear your stories. Don't get frustrated and cook them for dinner ...

Squawk,
Sandie

Keri {One Mama's Daily Drama} said...

Haha! I think chicken sitting is a great idea! Every time we go out of town, I have to get someone to baby-sit my guinea pigs...

Pondside said...

You could definitely make it with this one! Whenever we go away we have to make sure that our Lillypad is available to babysit the chickens and goats (have you investigated this opportunity?) Good luck!

Janet Johnson said...

Good luck with that! You are one dedicated woman. The world definitely needs dedicated chicken sitters. Otherwise, what would we have for breakfast? ;)

Busy Bee Suz said...

***giggle giggle***
when/if I ever get chickens, I want you to sit on them. I mean sit WITH them. Ok?

Cheryl D. said...

Love it! I live in Los Angeles, and I know of quite a few people who have chickens! I'm assuming the dog and cat sitting people will be expanding their market base though. Bastards!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I think it is a brilliant idea! Who can leave home without worrying about their chickens!! Hey and you get eggs to boot! I say go for it! he he poor Mr Jenny he just doesn't get it!

Sami said...

!!!!! Chicken sitting!!!! That sounds fantastic!!! You don't even have to take them on walks, that's the best part, because I think leashing a chicken could get kind of hairy (feathery?). And omelets for everyone, woohoo!!

laterg8r said...

always great to try new things :D

however, chickens are mean, hope you don't get pecked :D

Tina said...

you know i dont know what dough sitting is but chicken sitting sounds like fun!

hey if you can make some money from it its all good ;)


Tina from
Mummy Diaries
Gossip Avenue
Travel Shack
Game FreakZ

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Jenny Sweetie...
Not me, said chicken little. No way. I grew up around chickens on grandma's farm and I have been pecked one to many times for me. I used to dread going to the hen house to gather eggs. It took me a long while because I was so afraid to go in, I knew I would get pecked. Grandma just pushed them right on out of the way. Oh and I have to tell you sweetie, one morning, there was a nice little present waiting in that nest for me. He arrived early to eat the eggs, a snake. Be very careful. (That is not a story either, it is the truth. Scared me to death.) Needless to say I was not sent back to the hen house, as I just flat refused. I didn't care if I ate another egg for breakfast or not.

Love ya girl. Let me know how this franchise goes. I can't wait for the stories you are going to be writing. Country hugs and so much love, Sherry

P.S. Roosters run real fast, always wear your tennies, don't wear your flip flops, you might have to run right out of them.

myletterstoemily said...

i would be way too 'chicken' for that
job.

Tina said...

LOL. I'm not going to be signing up for chicken sitting anytime soon. I do NOT want to get pecked! But you go for it! Let me know how that franchise works out. By the way, went back and read your dough-sitting post. Do you have a recipe??? We're still looking for the perfect pizza dough recipe. We've tried a LOT of them. I just had an idea...it would combine both of your franchises. You could be the Odd Sitter. Have something weird that needs to be taken care of? Call Jenny ;-)

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Hey! I've been a chicken sitter for some time now..next door neighbors..I get paid in eggs..Should I reconsider my fees? Love this post!

Melinda said...

You go girl! Better you than me.

Have fun. :)


Melinda

Susan Anderson said...

I don't know how to break the news, Jenny, and I hope this isn't going to negatively impact our blossoming blog friendship, but I've been workin' it with this chicken-sitting thing since my first franchise opened back in 2001.

Of course, there's always room for one more in the chicken-sitting world. So don't brood about it.

=)

PS. If you ever decide to rethink the dough-sitting business, I'd like to get me a piece of that action. The thought of having someone babysit my dough makes me feel yeasty all over.

Unknown said...

Hey Jenny,

All this is very well but I am guessing or rather hoping that you have a keen business mind.
Have you done your cost benefit analysis?Things like, how many blueberries +how many pecks= How many eggs per day?
When and how do you break even?:-)

If you wanna diversify into pig sitting once this business venture takes off,count me in.

Unknown said...

ooh I have another idea.You can move on to watching over ducks and called your business venture 'Sitting Ducks' or combine both chicken and ducks and call it Quacks and squawks

Hee hee.Sorry,going a little out of control..

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This is actually a great idea! When I thought about getting a coop for chickens in my backyard my husband said: "But then we can't go on vacation anymore because who would feed them?" Now I'd know who to call! :-)

aimee said...

you have brightened my day with your great ideas! i think the dough idea is great. dough cant punch itself! right? lol
blessings,
aimee

amariaf2000 said...

Just like I think I saw above, do both of these ventures, and we can buy chicken & dumplin's from you! LOL

This is so cool!!! Now I wish I had chickens! I'm afraid I probably wouldn't eat chicken anymore though! Fresh eggs...ahhh, that would be wonderful!

~angela @ peonypatch

Brenda said...

Yes, but you would have to get on a plane to chicken sit for me. My hubs now has another reason not to go on any trips. But that is ok he can take care of my chickens and I will travel with friends. And a little note...I am sitting here brooding over the letter X.

Sandy said...

I have not laughed this hard in a long time... roflmbo!

The "dough sitting service" is the bomb! literally!

Sandy
thewondwersofdoing@blogspot.com

Unknown said...

you let me know how that franchise goes. i'm sure the banks will be in line to give loans out! you have a grand ole time chicken sitting, they are beautiful chickens!

Mary said...

What a Hoot~ I mean, squawk :-)

The Words Crafter said...

My sister in law may actually join you on this venture. They have chickens, roosters, goats, 2 dogs, various squatter-birds, and a baby. Oh dear! I'm thinking about this and...she really would!!! Ha! And my brother would have the same reply as your husband, only he'd do it with a cocked eyebrow and a downward tilted chin, with an expression that would cause you to think he's questioning your sanity! Nikki would have the house FULL of chickens!! Oh, L. O. L. I have to stop...hahahahahhaha

The Caffeinated Librarian said...

Haha! I love it!

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

I absolutely love chickens and I think now that you mention it I would be a great chicken sitter. I can't have them at the beach as I used to inland. If I started a chicken sitting business I could get the beth of both worlds. Thanks for a great idea. I can alway count on you!

Marlene said...

That'll teach me for reading too quickly....at first I thought you said chicken SHITTER.

Annesphamily said...

This is right up your alley Jenny! You are a Mother Hen! That will be quite an experience. There are some farm gals that blog and if you check around they have tips for you about chicken sitting I am sure of it! Hugs Anne

The Muse said...

lol, try 300,000
that's right...
birdarama/birdmania
this is Muse territory~Poultry 101 starts at 12 midnight, don't be late!
LOL Here chicky!

Lourie said...

We had neighbors with chickens when I was about 6. And the only horrifying memory I have is when they ...well... you know. "Running like a chicken with its head cut off" doesn't even begin to describe it!

Have fun with your little charges. And watch out for the moody one.

Andrea said...

Just be careful of the roosters Jenny. They can be downright mean! I got spurred once as I was walking away. He got me in the calf and it tore right through my seafoam green cords! (circa 1987)

Andrea said...

Just be careful of the roosters Jenny. They can be downright mean! I got spurred once as I was walking away. He got me in the calf and it tore right through my seafoam green cords! (circa 1987)

Andrea said...

Just be careful of the roosters Jenny. They can be downright mean! I got spurred once as I was walking away. He got me in the calf and it tore right through my seafoam green cords! (circa 1987)

Serline said...

Make sure the chickens don't cross the road for no real reason ;-P

Sugar said...

That was a great brilliant franchise idea. I love it! Keep posting.

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