PLUCKY pensioners at a Greenock care home have made some feathered friends as part of a cracking new project.

Three chickens, named Ginger Rogers, Scramble and Bella, were rescued from slaughter and are now being cared for by residents at Glenfield.

Staff at the home hatched the plan in a bid to improve the wellbeing of the residents.

Charles Young, chief executive of Greenock Medical Aid, the charity which runs the home, said: “Pet therapy is widely recognised as having a beneficial impact on residents, particularly those with dementia. 

“It has proved to be a great success and it has definitely cheered up the residents and they have a really good bond with them now.

“The residents were given the task of helping to clean and feed the chickens ,which is a daily routine. 

“This pet therapy project has been a great success and is part of Glenfield’s wider project of creating a dementia-friendly environment for the benefit of residents.”

The chickens live in a specially designed house and run which is completely protected against predators such as cats and foxes. 

It has a nesting area and water and feed facilities.

Charles added: “Staff and offenders from Greenock Prison, as part of the community link with Glenfield, kindly built a mesh enclosure around part of the garden to further protect the chickens when they were running free range on the grass.”

Resident Catherine McIntyre says spending time with the chickens brings back happy memories for her.

She said: “I spent part of my life on a farm so I already know a bit about them.”

The chickens are also providing fresh eggs for the home.
Morag McMillan, who is the activities co-ordinator, said: “The chickens lay up to four eggs a day and we’ve even had some double yolkers.”

Muriel Campbell, the social diversional therapist, added: “Even when the residents are not outside, they’re up at the window looking out at them — it’s great fun.”