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Residents delight in Chick Nursery duty

May 23rd, 2017

Residents in Meeting Creek Cottage at Points West Living Stettler got to play an active role in bringing new life into the world this spring. They helped tend fertilized chicken eggs, and then care for a brood of little hatchlings in their first few weeks of life. The experience was heartwarming for residents and care partners alike. 

GM & HCA hatch the idea

General Manager Carol Dyck and Healthcare Aide Barb Kirby hatched the idea early in the spring. Barb has a hobby farm outside of town and offered to set up her chicken egg incubator system at PWL Stettler for residents to enjoy.

“A lot of the residents were farmers, so it was something familiar to them,” says office administrator Ashley Mulbach. “It was also something new and different for them to look forward to.”

24-hour care roster

“The eggs needed to be turned every 12 hours,” explains Ashley. “Residents signed on to a roster to turn the eggs as needed. We marked a sun and moon on either side of each egg to indicate which way they should be facing during the day and night.”

"Like mother hens" 

Once the eggs hatched and the peeping fluff balls were transferred to a heated feeder box, there was no need to feed and water them, so the only job left was to give them love. There was no shortage of willing hands. “Residents were thoroughly amused,” says Ashley. “They loved to hold them, with care partners standing by to help if needed.”

“Everyone loved them,” says Ashley. “A few of the residents watched over the chicks like ‘mother hens’. Family members and care partners were delighted that so many residents were taking such a shine to the chicks.”

A few short weeks

Chicks grow up very quickly, and within a few short weeks, Barb picked them up to bring them to her farm, where the hens will join the ranks of her layers. Residents were sad to see them go, but look forward to the possibility of doing chick nursery duty again next year.

Photo collage: (Clockwise from upper left) Care partners Glenda Johnston and Jess Smith take their turn at chick-holding; Resident Helene Strohuber takes delight in one of the chicks; Eggs incubating at PWL Stettler.

More photos at Flickr: Residents are delighted to take on Chick Nursery duty