Starting a flock at a nursing home - anyone done this?

Hi there! I have been reading articles about the benefits of keeping chickens for seniors, and would really like to help a local senior home get a small flock of chickens (6-8 ladies). Has anyone out there done this? Do you have any advice? It's a rural area of VA so zoning is not a problem. I figured I can do some fundraising to help with the cost of the coop and yard (I will get a pre-made one to make my life easier, unless I can find a group that wants to build one for me at low cost) (raise money by selling eggs, baby chicks, baked goods???), and I can provide the hens myself, and pitch in for the food and bedding (I'm at TSC every week anyway, an extra bag of food and shavings a month won't ding the budget that much :D) I'm really excited about this (and I can probably write some of it off on taxes as a charitable donation) but tend to leap into projects with a lot of enthusiasm and not a whole lot of planning ;)
Check out Terry Golson's blog (search "nursing home" under the FAQ's section). She helped start a small flock for a nursing home. You may find some tips there as well.
https://hencam.com/?s=nursing home
 
A good idea, and lots of good points already. Sounds very do-able!

With regards to funds:

1. Around here we get school groups that make % of sales at Papa Johns or Chipotle or whatever trendy fast food place on X night between certain times. So school send out reminders to go eat there at specific date/time. Must be successful, because very common here. However, I’m NOT suggesting that exact idea, Rather, spring chick days are coming up. Would a local farm store selling chicks either donate a % of chick sales, or have a separate donation option for this endeavor?

2. Naming rights for the chickens. Maybe charge a naming fee, or some kind of naming contest where a name entry cost $$ but residents can vote. Or community people can “sponsor” a chicken and they get the naming rights. Our county commissioners, and other civic minded people, and established businesses are good for this type of thing in my area.

3. Find out if a local feed store would donate feed/straw to this endeavor on a regular basis (even if only quarterly or a bag or two a month).

Non-monetary:
A resident per week (or some kind of interval), could be the designated helper. Chosen out of list of interested and able residents. This could be as simple as getting to throw scratch out for the girls for an afternoon treat, or collecting eggs after lunch.

Good luck!
 
I love all the ideas and information I am getting so far! I will keep you posted on our progress. Yes, I need to make sure I have a long term plan in place, and LOTS of HELP :) Thank you and keep the ideas coming!
A good idea, and lots of good points already. Sounds very do-able!

With regards to funds:

1. Around here we get school groups that make % of sales at Papa Johns or Chipotle or whatever trendy fast food place on X night between certain times. So school send out reminders to go eat there at specific date/time. Must be successful, because very common here. However, I’m NOT suggesting that exact idea, Rather, spring chick days are coming up. Would a local farm store selling chicks either donate a % of chick sales, or have a separate donation option for this endeavor?

2. Naming rights for the chickens. Maybe charge a naming fee, or some kind of naming contest where a name entry cost $$ but residents can vote. Or community people can “sponsor” a chicken and they get the naming rights. Our county commissioners, and other civic minded people, and established businesses are good for this type of thing in my area.

3. Find out if a local feed store would donate feed/straw to this endeavor on a regular basis (even if only quarterly or a bag or two a month).

Non-monetary:
A resident per week (or some kind of interval), could be the designated helper. Chosen out of list of interested and able residents. This could be as simple as getting to throw scratch out for the girls for an afternoon treat, or collecting eggs after lunch.

Good luck!

All great ideas! Thank you! I wonder too about that money raising site...FundMe I think it's called? They get a percentage of the donated funds but at least it's easy to get the word out on FB etc.
 
I love all the ideas and information I am getting so far! I will keep you posted on our progress. Yes, I need to make sure I have a long term plan in place, and LOTS of HELP :) Thank you and keep the ideas coming!


All great ideas! Thank you! I wonder too about that money raising site...FundMe I think it's called? They get a percentage of the donated funds but at least it's easy to get the word out on FB etc.

Yes, but using GoFundMe removes some of the money away from your community. That user fee (%comission) does nothing for you or the project. Personally, I avoid donating thru GoFundMe. Not that I never would use it at some point, but have yet to see a good enough reason to specifically use GoFundMe, over other avenues of donating.
 
Hi there! I have been reading articles about the benefits of keeping chickens for seniors, and would really like to help a local senior home get a small flock of chickens (6-8 ladies). Has anyone out there done this? Do you have any advice? It's a rural area of VA so zoning is not a problem. I figured I can do some fundraising to help with the cost of the coop and yard (I will get a pre-made one to make my life easier, unless I can find a group that wants to build one for me at low cost) (raise money by selling eggs, baby chicks, baked goods???), and I can provide the hens myself, and pitch in for the food and bedding (I'm at TSC every week anyway, an extra bag of food and shavings a month won't ding the budget that much :D) I'm really excited about this (and I can probably write some of it off on taxes as a charitable donation) but tend to leap into projects with a lot of enthusiasm and not a whole lot of planning ;)
Like Mrs K I suggest contacting 4H clubs, but also high school FFA students and Boy and/or Girl Scout clubs in the area. As it takes a village to raise a child it takes one to support an elder. Talk to the families of the residents, they might want to participate in enriching the lives of their loved ones. I know they would be grateful to you for your thoughtfulness.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom