Project #3 - Chicken Coop Assessment

​    During our visits to Abundancia in 2009 and 2010 our main goal was to implement a project that would help the Nivacle be more self-reliant and increase their nutrition. Under our direction the men of the village built 54 chicken coops and each family was provided at least four chickens.

     Upon arrival in Abundancia in 2013, we started out assessing the continuity and success of this project. There were low expectations fearing the worst. We were very pleased to see some of the evident successes. 35 of the 54 houses still had chickens. The coops were found in a variety of conditions. Some had been totally taken apart, others were missing netting or other parts, but many were still in use. But what was most satisfying was to see those that had taken the original idea and had built onto their coops or made bigger better coops. Some people were even using their coops for ducks and guinea hens. Two ostriches were also seen in the community. Several roosters were observed as well as many chicks. Some people claimed to have over a dozen chickens, they told us about how they could get 15 to 20 eggs a week and sell them for between 1000 and 2000 guaranies per egg. Others told us they used their eggs to feed their families. One proud grandparent said that he gave one egg to each of his six grandchildren that morning on there way to school. Another told us he makes more money selling eggs than he ever did working in the fields.