Why, why why did Delilah the Chicken cross the road?
Because she got Eggcited to see all her friends at the Carmarthenshire council’s run Maes Lleidi Opportunities Day Centre, Felinfoel.
The 23 special needs clients at the centre had a discussion with their carers and People’s First advisory group on how to spend the welfare fund monies they had accumulated. One client, Sue Jones, suggested chickens for their garden after visiting the Burns Farm Food shop in Kidwelly on one home outing.
Sue said: “I love chickens. They cheer me up.”
The idea took flight and now the home is clucking with three “Scarlet” Rhode Island Reds named Daisy, Suzie and Cookie and Delilah an all white “Swansea Jack” West Sussex chicken.
County executive board member for health and social care Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “Our homes have to be commended for their inspirational interaction with clients coming up with so may innovative ideas to help fill their days with activities and fun.”
The chickens were donated by Winstay Farm Foods. Lewis Construction, who helped construct a pen and coup for the chickens in the home’s grounds, has donated £250 in chicken feed for the bird’s welfare.
Centre manager, Catherine Anthony, said: “You could say we have been in a flap getting so excited about this unusual project. But the clients love the chickens and have structured a feeding regime and organised cuddle time during the day.
“Many just lover going out to look and talk to them. It really is proving to be a triumph for the home giving clients a fun focus and caring role.”
Carer Tanya Haddock said: “I have never seen to many happy smiling faces. We are waiting for the first eggs and there is great competition among the clients be the first to discover one.
“There have been lots of false egg alarms and many visitors have been adopting silly chicken walks making everyone laugh.
“There has even been a suggestion that we could have a little farm shop at the entrance to the home selling the eggs to locals if enough are laid.
“One thing for sure with the great effort that has been made to ensure the chickens are safe from foxy predotors is that they will remain pets and not even contemplated for the table.”
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