Marblehead Boy Hatches Chicken Sitting Business

BOSTON (CBS) - We've heard of babysitters and house sitters and dog sitters, but chicken sitters? For a young North Shore entrepreneur it's a fun and profitable business that fills a unique need. And the fresh eggs aren't bad either.

Keeping chickens in the backyard is a growing pastime in Massachusetts, but what do you do if you go away? Enter 10-year-old Michael Piper and his 9-year-old sister Caterina from Marblehead.

"I like chickens because they don't really try to hurt you or complain," says Michael.

"I think we might be the only kids that are chicken sitting," adds Caterina.

Chicken sitting was Michael's brainstorm. "I just thought they were cool. They're happy when you feed them, as most things are," he says.

And he was also looking to pick up a couple of bucks. "I don't really get an allowance," Michael says.

So last summer a business was, well, hatched. "I come in the morning and I let them out of the coop," he says.

And for a small fee Michael will make sure your chickens have fresh water and fresh food, and he and Caterina will collect your fresh eggs for you.

"I like all animals because we're animals, too. So we're, like, all in the same family," Caterina explains.

And the kids are turning a profit. "Well, my mom wants me to save up, so that's what I'll probably do," Michael says. Some for college, and some for Legos.

Harvard Business School take notice, the kids are working a great business model- find a need and fill it.