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

[JaeG]

This is a good article about a programme in Australia, based on one from England, and the benefits to the residents would be amazing. I hope you can do it. In Aussie they use pekin bantams (bantam cochins to you guys) a lot because of their docility.

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-08/henpower-promotes-well-being-in-aged-care-facility/7077092

And a gorgeous video:

 

[Bamabexchicks]

This is a good article about a programme in Australia, based on one from England, and the benefits to the residents would be amazing. I hope you can do it. In Aussie they use pekin bantams (bantam cochins to you guys) a lot because of their docility.

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-08/henpower-promotes-well-being-in-aged-care-facility/7077092

And a gorgeous video:

Great read! Made me tear up it's so sweet!

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

I was thinking a Cochin, silkie, buff or lavender Orpington, maybe Welsummer and Easter egger? Also my white leghorn was extremely chatty and nosey...which unfortunately ended up for her in the same way as the proverbial curious cat. She would insist on flying over the electric fence

 

[Bamabexchicks]

I was thinking a Cochin, silkie, buff or lavender Orpington, maybe Welsummer and Easter egger? Also my white leghorn was extremely chatty and nosey...which unfortunately ended up for her in the same way as the proverbial curious cat. She would insist on flying over the electric fence

My sex link Golden Buffs are very sociable, as is my Dominique. Love to be cuddled and lay crazy amounts of eggs

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

https://www.leonardusa.com/chicken-coops#product-group-298
As for the coop, this is a local company with premade coops. I have the 5x8 and it’s terrific, really excellent quality and looks great. But they are pricey.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

https://www.leonardusa.com/chicken-coops#product-group-298
As for the coop, this is a local company with premade coops. I have the 5x8 and it’s terrific, really excellent quality and looks great. But they are pricey.

How many hens do you plan to keep? Again, I would recommend recruiting help from civic groups to lend a hand. 5X8 is smallish in my mind. I have a hen house that size with a run that 15X20 foot. I free range my 7 hens in a 80X80 foot fenced area and its barely enough. If the pre fab coop is spendy you might get more bang for your buck with a homemade coop.

 

[CannedMonster]

I was thinking a Cochin, silkie, buff or lavender Orpington, maybe Welsummer and Easter egger? Also my white leghorn was extremely chatty and nosey...which unfortunately ended up for her in the same way as the proverbial curious cat. She would insist on flying over the electric fence

My EE are the ones going over the fence and wandering.
One was taken by a neighborhood dog because of it.
I probably won’t be getting more for that reason.
Perhaps a Cream Legbar for blue eggs would be a better candidate?

 

[Notaneggspurt]

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

By no means am I trying to discourage you. I'm kind of guessing this is just all in the idea phase so I'm hoping this is taken as advice. I am guilty of having grand ideas, then in a few minutes of thinking, hitting the first obstacle and feeling like a complete failure without ever getting it past the imagination phase. I'm really hoping this happens and we get to cheer you on through the years.

Things I suggest getting sorted out first would be if the nursing home wants this. If yes, does the home's liability insurance
cover it. Unfortunately with state funding and regulations this is a must. Even if it's a private facility you have boards and committees you'll most likely have to go through for approval. If it's still yes then find out if the residents and their families want this. If it's a facility that has a lot of residents with severe health conditions or a hospice ward the risks might greater than any reward. Does the facility have an area to put a coop and run? Would this area be easily accessible to residents? Some facilities just don't have the ideal spot for a coop and run.

Contact every person you can that has successfully done this. Ask them for as much detail on what they had to go through to get this approved. If you're not able to get any answers contact the groups that have the animal visitors that go to different facilities. If the specific home you are considering has visiting pets ask them for contact info.

Then decide if you will be able to do what is necessary. If you can and still want to go for it get your plan ready.

- Who will pay for everything?
- Do you have a committed team or will you be solely responsible?
- Will the nursing home staff be trained to identify sick or injured chickens?
- Is there an emergency plan for mother nature, facility emergency, flock sickness?
- Have you considered ALL the cons? Like worst case scenario?
- Is there a plan for the chickens if they are no longer allowed?
Hard and personal question to ask yourself
- Are you the type of person that can make this happen?
- Have you embarked on long term commitments of time and energy?
- Are you able to commit to this endeavor for the lifespan (5-10+ years) of the chickens?
- Have you considered how a resident may be impacted by the death of an animal they have bonded with? Or if the chickens have to be removed for any reason?

Lots of points have been brought up and take each one into consideration. I would avoid crowd funding sites. This would make you liable and could potentially put you at risk of fraud accusations. Since you yourself are not a non profit and most likely the nursing home isn't either I'd ask first if your expenses could be considered a tax write off. Not to say you won't find people to help, but be ready to go it on your own if you really want this. Just be sure to be honest with yourself on how much you will be able to do.

Please keep us posted. Your adventure could be a great inspiration to others. Best wishes on this!

 

[aart]

I recall reading this article a few years ago:
why-chickens-and-seniors-are-a-match-made-in-heaven

This is a great article and video!
Details on long term care and costs would be paramount.

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

@Notaneggspurt = you bring up a lot of GREAT points, especially about "how would the residents deal with loss". My first thing will be to visit the facility more thoroughly and gauge interest level. But honestly, if not that place specifically (it's just the closest to me) then surely there are other places. I plan on carefully documenting the entire journey, so that others can use what I learn to hopefully do something similar in their areas. I think my motto is "Bringing chicken joy to others in any way possible". Maybe I will put that on my business cards I plan on leveraging the expertise of friends and neighbors that may have some experience with this (my one neighbor has FFA engraved on his mailbox). And my husband is an Eagle Scout; maybe there is a boy scout out there looking for an Eagle project. Lots to think about and plan.