What came first: the smiles or the laughter?
Methuen Village assisted living recently incubated eggs and hatched six baby chicks in time for Easter! The project captured the interest of residents and staff alike, who have enjoyed holding the soft, fluffy birds and watching them grow.
The entire process brought “absolute joy” to the facility, according to Methuen Village’s EnrichedLIFE Director Ashley Gonzalez.
A fellow staffer provided the eggs from their home chicken coop. The eggs incubated in the activity room for 21 days, and staff posted educational info and pictures of eggs on Methuen Village’s community bulletin board.
“All the residents and staff would ask every day how they were doing. When they started hatching it created a whole rush of excitement for the whole community,” Gonzalez explained. “A few residents mentioned how wonderful it was to see new life.”
The chicks took centerstage at Methuen Village’s Easter Egg Hunt, which was enjoyed by nearly 20 children.
“The chicks were a huge hit for the kids,” Gonzalez said, “and the residents, having already interacted with the chicks, LOVED showing them off to all the kids!
“The chicks were so soft, and the residents and staff loved the opportunity to interact with them. We followed all safe chick-handling measures to ensure the chicks and residents were able to safely enjoy the experience.”
The chicks remained at Methuen Village for about three weeks, and currently live at Hallie pasture farm in Dracut where they will be raised as free-range chickens.
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- Methuen Village resident Sandry Perry has her hands full of baby-chick fluff! Courtesy photos
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- Methuen Village residents helped set up a chick enclosure prior to the facility’s Easter egg hunt.
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- These were the first three chicks to hatch at Methuen Village.
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- Resident Jack Lancy is all smiles as he cups an adorable chick.
