News

4H chicken care project grows to encompass
caring for a whole community of elders

April 9th, 2019

What started as a 4H ‘Humanitarian Poultry Project’ has given the grandson of Points West Living Red Deer resident Dwight Pike far more insight than simply how to raise chickens. In the months that he brought his Silky Chickens to visit PWL Red Deer, Jake has learned the pleasure of taking time with elders, and how to bring them joy.

Six chicks in a stroller

When Jake Pike and his six chickens (along with his mom, Kathy) first started visiting PWL Red Deer last summer the chickens were still babies and all of them could fit in a small stroller. General Manager Tracy Sutherland – a chicken lover herself – observed, “Over 6 visits, Jake helped bring smiles and cuddles to the residents while he learned from residents some their tips on raising chickens, feeding, keeping their incubator humidity levels, even how to say ‘Grandpa’ and ‘chicken’ in Cree.” 

Talking 4H

On one visit, Jake connected with a 91-year-old resident who used to be in the Rimbey 4H Club. She told him about raising beef and grains for her 4H projects, and how, when she was married, her husband used to whistle and sing to their chickens. “Jake said he felt sad that he had to take the chickens back home that day,” says Tracy, adding, “Jake says now whenever he visits, he and the resident talk 4H.”

Chicken Bingo

Jake worked with the recreation team on another chicken project, fondly known as Chicken Bingo. “For this game of Bingo,” Tracy says, “we spread out a large piece of plastic, draw squares on it, and put bingo numbers on them. Wherever the chicken leaves its ‘mark’, that number is crossed off on the players’ bingo cards. It was lots of fun and the residents loved it.”

"So much more..."

Jake told Tracy, “In the beginning of my project I thought it was about transporting chickens safely. It is so much more. I have seen residents talk that don’t always talk, people laugh that aren’t always happy, people bend to pick up chickens who have mobility issues, I have learned cultural sensitivities and I have more empathy for the elderly. I invented an event, how it takes a team to make events happen… and that sometimes seeing someone happy makes me want to cry.”

Just agree

Jake said that with this project he also learned a lot about dementia, most importantly to not argue but just agree. He said it helped him understand his Grandpa better.

Beyond the badge

“Jake is the first 4H-er in North America to do a project like this,” says Tracy. “I was happy to attend his Achievement Night in March and let the judges know what an amazing difference he has made to our seniors.”

Photo Collage: (clockwise from left) Jake with his grandpa, Dwight Pike; two residents visiting over Silky Chickens; and Chicken Bingo

More great photos at Flickr: 4H chicken care project grows to encompass caring for a whole community of elders