Baby chicks promote wellness and capture new beginnings

Easter celebrations mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolised through new beginnings.

At Resthaven Bellevue Heights, residents have been experiencing this first-hand with the arrival of the ‘Henny Penny Hatching’ program. Watching chicks emerging from their shells brings delight to residents at the home.

Mrs Helen Thorp (pictured right) kept chickens for many years and has been visiting the Henny Penny Hatching chicks most days.

‘I love to come and watch these little chicks and hear their little cheeps,’ Helen says. ‘They’re lovely.’

Through the incubation program, residents have the opportunity to see the eggs hatch, and then to interact with the young chicks.

Mrs Sheila Cowper (pictured below left) remembers having chickens at the family home when she was growing up.

‘When the chicks hatched, we used to bring them inside the house to keep them warm,’ Sheila says. ‘We had a spot near the fireplace where we would look after them. We had many over the years.’

For Mrs Athalie Yeates (pictured below right), the chicks have revived memories of growing up next door to a duck and chicken farm. ‘I remember once our cat came home with a little chick in its mouth,’ Athalie says. ‘We were worried for the chick, but the cat was being so gentle and hadn’t hurt it at all!’

Lifestyle Coordinator, Alana Biggs, says that the chicks bring joy to the residents, and often evoke memories.

‘While the chicks are here, we encourage residents to hold them during our regular activities,’ Alana says. ‘It can be quite therapeutic to hold them and feel their warmth. Animals at the site are always popular.’

All Henny Penny Hatching chicks are ethically re-homed at the conclusion of the program. Resthaven sites also have visits from Animals Anonymous and Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farm, as well as a range of other activities that involve animals and promote residents’ wellness.