Pet chickens a real hoot with aged care residents

Not many can say they chill with chickens on their couch, but this brood of aged care residents are proving pet therapy is no 'yolk'.

FEATHERED FRIEND: Lutheran Services' Immanuel Gardens resident Clare Connelly hangs out with one of the facility's chickens. Picture: John McCutcheon

NOT many can say they chill with chickens on their couch, but this brood of aged care residents are proving pet therapy is no 'yolk'.

Lutheran Services' Immanuel Gardens have brought the power of poultry to Buderim, encouraging the men and women to come out of their coops.

The facility didn't just wing the arrival of the baby chicks, as they were hatched under the watchful care of the staff in March.

Now fully-fledged feathered friends, the chooks often use cat flaps to enter residents' homes and provide a daily source of calm and companionship.

Creative program facilitator Arlene Henry said those who interacted with the chickens had come out of their shells in the last few months.

"We've definitely seen an improvement in the residents' happiness," she said.

"We just find pets are the best therapy for them. That they can feel involved in feeding, caring and watching out for them."

Although their aged care residents are no spring chickens, Arlene said looking out for the chooks have brought back their childhood memories.

"We have residents ranging from 102 to around 60, but it's beautiful to see them reminisce about their home lives as kids," she said.

Hanging with the hens has been great for resident Anne Pooles, who said it reminded her of once living on a farm.

"We had chickens laying eggs, and there was one pecking at the shell trying to hatch, but then it stopped," she said.

"I had to do an emergency caesarean and pulled the shell and skin off the chicken. I pulled it on my chest and next I knew, it was pecking at me.

"So it's gorgeous seeing them roaming around... it brings back memories."

Arlene said the goal for the future was to see the chooks go from egg to egg.