Residents at Balhousie Dalnaglar love their animals!
Having already been visited by some ponies in recent weeks, staff and residents at the Crieff home have upped their game even further by hatching their own chicks!
Julie Davies, Activities Coordinator, arranged for an incubator to be delivered to the home.
It came from the Living Eggs organisation, and all the staff and residents have enjoyed getting the eggs ready for hatching.
They now have nine healthy chicks, and the residents and staff are caring for their tiny, feathery friends!
Julie said: “Lots of our residents are animal lovers, and they have thoroughly enjoyed having the incubator in the home, some were glued to it, waiting for a chick to be born. There was huge excitement when the eggs were hatching.
“Our residents mean everything to us and we are always so pleased to be able to organise meaningful activities like this, which have a huge positive impact on their mental wellbeing. The chicks can be taken around the home in the brooding box so everyone is getting the benefit of the chicks.
“It has been lovely to see how the residents have come together to help us take care of our little friends.
“We have also enjoyed sharing the experience with our friends in the community and invited children from the local nurseries to come and see and hold the chicks.”
Interacting with animals has been proven to have a positive impact on residents’ mental health. It has been shown to release endorphins, which trigger feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
