Chicken Therapy as Business Venture

[Painted Calls]

The horse programs you describe are nonprofits. That's different from equine therapy run by a mental health professional. If the OP wants to do this as a business venture, then they need to be licensed to run a clinical practice. And if it's a business venture, then the prices they charge for therapy should be high enough to offset the risks.

Good point! I completely didn't pay attention to the stinking thread title.

 

[AnchoredHomestead]

How would you handle biosecurity?

Shoe covers and long body/sleeve gown. In an area that can be cleaned. Hand washing station. Life is not without risk. Best practice would be the goal. I would never blatantly risk my animals or the health of people. But I do think we all have our own comfort level for sure.

Appreciate all of the insight thus far…

 

[AnchoredHomestead]

I must have missed where they said it would be a clinical practice business. I assumed they'd offer it like cat cafés where you can chill with the cats. Or like veteran's horse therapy programs where for free of charge, you go spend time decompressing with horses.

It is my opinion that it would be fun and lots of people would enjoy it. However, it's also my opinion that it would be a biosecurity risk not worth taking. I have horses. I still enjoy volunteering at a stable that does therapeutic riding for children with disabilities. Just because someone goes to "chicken" therapy doesn't mean they aren't around other birds.

Are cat cafe’s then nonprofit?

 

[Painted Calls]

Are cat cafe’s then nonprofit?

They're a business, but the cat side of it is just a bonus. They make their money selling coffee and food.

 

[Painted Calls]

They're a business, but the cat side of it is just a bonus. They make their money selling coffee and food.

The ones here anyway. I've never read or looked into them before. Just enjoyed the two here.

 

[fat brown hen]

Are cat cafe’s then nonprofit?

The cats are usually adoptable pets borrowed from a local animal shelter. So the cat portion is nonprofit while the cafe makes money.

 

[Painted Calls]

The cats are usually adoptable pets borrowed from a local animal shelter. So the cat portion is nonprofit while the cafe makes money.

You worded it way better. Yes, this!

 

[Saveria]

Can the cats get sick, too, or are chickens just more susceptible to getting damaging diseases through vectors that are found in an everyday environment? I worked at a humane society and I know that the cats can give each other upper respiratory infections, but that is usually less serious than some of the stuff I have heard chickens getting. Can cats just not get as sick from something humans can carry and that is why the cafes can work?

Maybe a rooster flock that is peaceful could be the "therapy" group, since they otherwise would just be culled. They would have to be on a separate property from your personal flock, but you would basically be rescuing them.

It does sound problematic in some ways, but it is also a great idea. During covid, when it was easy to get depressed, I would literally go sit in the chicken run (on something clean) and just watch them. It was the only thing I could find that would make me feel better for a number of weeks.

Right now I feel like they are driving me nuts, though! Off to post about lice treatment....

 

[Saveria]

rooster flock that is peaceful

Is this an oxymoron?

 

[fat brown hen]

Can the cats get sick, too, or are chickens just more susceptible to getting damaging diseases through vectors that are found in an everyday environment? I worked at a humane society and I know that the cats can give each other upper respiratory infections, but that is usually less serious than some of the stuff I have heard chickens getting. Can cats just not get as sick from something humans can carry and that is why the cafes can work?

Yeah, dog and cat influenza can be carried on clothing and such. I'm just guessing here, but I think that since the cat cafes use shelter cats, it's not a big deal if the cats get sick, as they'll either be adopted out or euthanized.

I think the "rooster flock therapy" would be a good way to do it. There's an endless supply of unwanted roosters here. I would totally go to a rooster cafe (preferably with outdoor seating).