Therapy chickens??

[horsewishr]

My FIL has pretty severe dementia. It's a "happy" dementia, and he's almost always in a good mood. My husband thinks we should bring a couple of chickens over to see him--since my MIL says leaving the house is too stressful for him. I know he'd get a real kick out of them. We'd bring a large dog crate to keep them in.

The in-laws live about 35 minutes from us. We have 4 chickens. If we packed up two and left two at home, would it be too stressful for them to go visit Grandpa? What about the two left behind?

 

[Chirpy]

All I can say is that I've heard of people who actually traveled with chickens in their RV or truck! I think it would help if you started when the chickens were young so they grew up accustomed to traveling.

However, it may be just fine trying them out when they are older. Keep a close eye on them and see if they seem to be extra stressed out. I think taking two and leaving two sounds like a good idea also ... each have company. It would make sense that if you take them regularily they would pretty quickly fall into the routine and not be stressed after a few times.

Hopefully someone here with real life experience will chime in and correct me if my thoughts are wrong.

 

[psimek]

Can you take them for short rides in the car first and figure out the two that handle it best?
I really like your idea of therapy chickens. I hope you can do it.
Can you also put up a birdfeeder for your FIL to look at often?

 

[SandraChick]

We'll most of us here know how therapeutic chickens can be...why else would the slogan "chickens, it's cheep therapy" be one of our bumper stickers!

I think it's a great idea! The dog crate is perfect and throwing in a couple of slices of juicey fruit like melon or even a fresh apple gives them something to eat that's moist enough to get water without the risk of water spilling everywhere.

If you have any chickens that will sit on your lap, I'd choose those.

Depending on the situation, you may also consider chicken diapers...yes there's such a thing...then you can let them loose in the house with your FIL --especially if outside is too difficult.

Good Luck, and let us know how it works out.

Sandra

 

[TreyClark281]

you should buy him some chickens like some baintys(sp) like an house chicken.

 

[rosyposyosy]

yeah like buy him a duck or a silkie and he could entertain himself!

 

[TreyClark281]

a slikie would be nice becasue they are lap birds...

 

[horsewishr]

Buying him a chicken is out of the question. My MIL has too much on her plate to care for a pet (FIL requires 24/7 supervision). But I like the idea of taking the birds for a ride to see how they do. I'll put some zucchini or fruit in the dog crate. We wouldn't bring them in the house--just in the back yard. With the bottom taken out of the dog crate it would be a like mini chicken tractor.

 

[SandraChick]

Mini tractor! Cool idea!

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Sandra

 

[mdbucks]

People take thier birds to shows all the time, put em in the car and go. Remember if they are gonna stick thier heads out the window, make them where eye protection and dont put the window alll the way downjust enough to get thier heads out