H.I.S. INTERNATIONAL MISSION
PROVERBS 27:27 PROJECT
CHICKEN PROGRAM STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Document No.: HIS-CPP-001 Effective Date: __________ Review Date: __________
Approved By: ______________________________________________
1. PURPOSE
Establish consistent procedures for application, orientation, education, readiness review, chicken placement, follow-up, animal care, and program records.
Support households receiving chickens as a practical source of eggs and food sustainability.
2. PROGRAM GOALS
Teach responsible chicken care and stewardship.
Protect animal welfare.
Identify participants who need added training before placement.
Provide practical follow-up support.
3. H.I.S. RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide orientation and basic chicken-care education.
Review the application and knowledge questionnaire.
Discuss housing, weather protection, and predator protection.
Determine readiness and any additional training needed.
Provide healthy chickens appropriate for the program when available.
Maintain basic program records and follow-up.
4. PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide appropriate housing before receiving chickens.
Provide appropriate feed and clean water every day.
Protect chickens from predators and severe weather.
Maintain reasonably clean living conditions.
Observe chickens daily for illness, injury, or distress.
Seek appropriate help when a chicken appears sick or injured.
Follow applicable local poultry requirements.
5. APPLICATION AND KNOWLEDGE REVIEW
Each prospective participant completes the Chicken Program Application and Chicken Care Knowledge Questionnaire.
Lack of prior experience does not automatically disqualify an applicant.
Staff review experience, feeding knowledge, water needs, shelter, predator awareness, egg collection, health awareness, and willingness to learn.
6. REQUIRED ORIENTATION
Before placement, participants complete the short online orientation covering daily care, feed, water, shelter, predators, weather, egg handling, health observation, sanitation, and when to seek help.
Orientation completion is recorded.
7. READINESS REVIEW
Record one status: Ready for placement, Ready with additional instruction, or Additional preparation needed before placement.
When preparation is needed, explain the specific steps required before placement.
8. HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
Housing should provide predator protection, weather protection, ventilation, dry resting space, appropriate space, secure nighttime enclosure, and access to feed and water.
The coop or enclosure should be ready before pickup or delivery.
9. CHICKEN PLACEMENT
Confirm approval, orientation completion, and housing readiness.
Record placement date, number of chickens, approximate age, breed if known, and staff member.
Provide written chicken-care instructions.
10. FEED AND WATER
Teach participants to use feed appropriate for the chickens' age and purpose.
Provide fresh, clean drinking water every day.
Keep feeders and waterers clean and accessible.
Provide grit when required and an appropriate calcium source for laying hens when needed.
Treats and scraps do not replace nutritionally appropriate poultry feed.
11. DAILY HEALTH OBSERVATION
Watch for failure to eat or drink, weakness, difficulty walking, breathing problems, wounds, significant diarrhea, swelling, isolation, predator injuries, or sudden behavior changes.
Serious illness or injury should receive appropriate veterinary or qualified poultry-health assistance when available.
12. CLEANING, SANITATION, AND BIOSECURITY
Keep bedding reasonably dry and remove excessive manure buildup.
Clean feeders and waterers as needed and remove spoiled feed.
Protect feed from rodents and moisture.
Separate visibly sick birds when appropriate.
Wash hands after handling poultry, eggs, manure, bedding, or equipment.
Avoid unnecessary contact between unfamiliar flocks and clean shared equipment between households.
13. EGG HANDLING
Collect eggs frequently.
Keep nesting areas clean.
Remove cracked or heavily contaminated eggs when appropriate.
Follow safe handwashing and farm-fresh egg handling practices.
14. FOLLOW-UP
Suggested first follow-up: about 1 week after placement.
Suggested second follow-up: about 30 days after placement.
Additional follow-up as needed.
Review chicken condition, feed, water, housing security, questions, and support needs.
15. ANIMAL WELFARE CONCERNS
Credible reports of serious neglect, abandonment, or unsafe conditions should receive prompt staff attention.
Contact the participant and assess the situation when appropriate.
Determine reasonable next steps consistent with program policy and applicable law.
16. RECORDS
Maintain the application, questionnaire, orientation completion, readiness decision, placement record, follow-up records, and relevant program communications.
Store records securely and limit access to legitimate program purposes.
17. PROGRAM LIMITATIONS
Participation does not guarantee egg production, breeding success, chicken lifespan, or economic benefit.
Participants assume responsibility for daily care after placement, subject to written program terms and applicable law.
18. COMPLETION CHECKLIST
☐ Application completed
☐ Knowledge questionnaire completed
☐ Online orientation completed
☐ Additional training completed, if required
☐ Coop or housing reviewed
☐ Predator protection discussed
☐ Feed and water requirements reviewed
☐ Health warning signs reviewed
☐ Egg-handling information provided
☐ Chickens placed and recorded
☐ Follow-up scheduled
Program Staff: __________________________ Date: ______________
Participant: ____________________________ Date: ______________
H.I.S. INTERNATIONAL MISSION
PROVERBS 27:27 PROJECT
CHICKEN PROGRAM APPLICATION & KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONNAIRE
This application helps H.I.S. understand your experience, your chicken housing setup, and any training or support you need. Prior chicken experience is not required.
1. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: _______________________________________________________
Address or General Location: _______________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________
Preferred Contact Method: _______________________________________________________
Household: ☐ Individual ☐ Family ☐ Other: __________________
2. CHICKEN HOUSING
Where will the chickens be kept? ☐ Backyard ☐ Coop ☐ Other: __________________
Is the coop/enclosure ready now? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ In progress
Briefly describe the housing and nighttime predator protection:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. EXPERIENCE
Have you cared for chickens before? ☐ No experience ☐ Some experience ☐ Experienced
If yes, briefly describe your experience:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Chickens need clean drinking water:
☐ Every day ☐ Once a week ☐ Only when hot ☐ I am not sure
A secure coop should protect chickens from:
☐ Predators ☐ Rain and severe weather ☐ Both predators and weather ☐ I am not sure
How often should you observe your chickens for health or injury?
☐ Daily ☐ Weekly ☐ Monthly ☐ I am not sure
Which signs deserve attention?
☐ Not eating or drinking ☐ Weakness or unusual behavior ☐ Visible injury or breathing problems ☐ All of these ☐ I am not sure
Eggs should generally be collected:
☐ Frequently, preferably daily ☐ Once a month ☐ Only when the nest is full ☐ I am not sure
5. CARE COMMITMENT
☐ I will provide appropriate feed and clean water every day.
☐ I will provide safe shelter and predator protection.
☐ I will observe the chickens daily.
☐ I will seek help when a chicken appears sick or injured.
☐ I will complete the required online orientation.
☐ I am willing to receive additional training if needed.
6. SUPPORT REQUESTED
☐ Beginner chicken-care training
☐ Help understanding coop setup
☐ Written care instructions
☐ Feeding guidance
☐ Egg-handling guidance
☐ I feel prepared and do not need added training right now
7. APPLICANT CONFIRMATION
I understand chickens require daily care. I agree to provide appropriate feed, clean water, safe shelter, reasonable sanitation, and responsible care for chickens received through the program.
Applicant Signature: _________________________________ Date: ______________
FOR H.I.S. PROGRAM USE
☐ Ready for placement ☐ Ready with additional instruction ☐ Additional preparation needed
Orientation completed: ☐ Yes ☐ No Housing reviewed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Staff Notes:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Staff Member: ______________________________ Date: ______________