Chickens Provide Some Peace At The Way Homes

Posted

Situated along Mountain Road, just a quarter-mile east of Magothy Bridge Road, The Way Homes’ recovery houses are unpretentious. The only thing drivers may notice is the big cross in the driveway. The Christian-based, drug-free residences provide a sanctuary for men and women recovering from addictions. They share responsibilities, encourage one another, and even help care for chickens.

Greg Anderson, founder and executive director of The Way Homes, thought chickens would be an interesting way to bring TWH community together. When he went to buy chickens, he discovered that they have a “season.”

“You can only get them in April and May,” he explained. So, they put the word out and a few friends donated some chickens and a small coop.

Anderson and onsite overseer Larry Shortt built a large area for the chickens, raised that area, and enclosed the bottom so the chickens would have shade in the summer. Then they reinforced it to protect them from predators.

Residents took turns caring for the chickens, but most of the care now falls on a resident named Sammy, who has named and bonded with them.

“One is yellow — really pretty. I named her Tangerine,” she said. She feels sorry for another one who lost most of her feathers as a result of the other chickens “pecking” on her and lets that one out as much as she can.

Sammy faithfully cleans the coops — the hardest of the chores, she admitted — and she feeds the fowl. “I also like to give them snacks: green beans and corn, and they love watermelon,” she said.

Leslie Drayer, TWH ministry administrator, said the chickens also love bugs. “Anything that’s crawling, they’ll grab,” Drayer said with a laugh. “Sam looks out for them at work and brings them treats.”

Asked what surprises her most about the chickens, Sammy answered, “How much they fight with each other if one has something, the other ones want it.”

Another resident, Kristen, said she forgot how early chickens wake up in the mornings. They don’t need alarm clocks thanks to the roosters. Kristen used to care for the chickens before Sammy, and she said it was strange feeding the chickens, because afterward, she had to go to her job at a local grocery store to work in the hot food area where she cooked chickens.

In addition to feeding and cleaning the coops, Sammy and the others have to watch for predators — hawks, raccoons, and foxes. Drayer said they were saddened when foxes got four of the chickens early on.

“We do have a groundhog … that ate my green beans and collard greens,” Shortt said.

Anderson enjoys watching the chickens so much he bought some for himself and his wife, Sheri, to raise at their home. He built a large chicken coop with room to run around. “They’re fun,” Anderson said, and, of course, he loves the idea of fresh eggs, though his chicks are too young to lay eggs just yet.

At TWH, Sammy said the chickens provide some calm. “They give you a sense of peace when you’re just hanging out with them. I let them out a lot and just sit and watch them,” she said.

That’s satisfying to hear for Anderson. He wants residents to experience peace. TWH is a passion for him. He experienced firsthand some of the painful results from years of drinking alcohol. Anderson was profoundly affected by an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and embraced a lifestyle of abstinence from alcohol. He truly wants to see men and women break free from their addiction cycles and live long, healthy lives.

Though he said God provides for the needs, the homes require a lot of upkeep and general expenses. They receive no government funds and rely on the donations of those who see the value of the homes. For more information about TWH, or to donate, visit www.wayhomes.org.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here