Our Chicken Farming Program helps families increase their household income by CNY 3,000 to CNY 6,000 (USD 420 to 840) every year. This income enables them to spend more on their children’s education and overall well-being.
One of our beneficiaries, Eqi Quwu (30), recently benefited from this program. As part of our routine visits, we had to ensure that the chickens we provided were truly helping her household situation.
Eqi Quwu lives in a modest earthen house that stands in a part of Rural China that was surrounded by lush forests, with village homes scattered apart. When we arrived, an elder woman, Equ Quwu’s mother-in-law, had been waiting for us at the gate and warmly welcomed us inside.
When we were all seated, we started our conversation. We learned that she and her husband both work at a duck farm in Shandong with a shared monthly income of CNY 6,000 (USD 858). For a family of six, this sum is way too small for all the family members’ needs. Sometimes, they take advantage of their seasonal harvests from their communally-owned land, making about CNY 4,000 (USD 572) a year—still not enough.
Despite the financial stress, their family manages a little through the distribution of housework. During school breaks, their eldest daughter will stay at home to look after her younger siblings. This way, Eqi Quwu and her husband can take on more jobs, whether at the duck farm, the field, or just any other odd job worth taking.
Since we provided them with 20 chicks from the program, the grandmother (mother-in-law) was excited to share that the children have been very responsible in helping with the growth of the fowl. Every morning, they would start their day by feeding the chicks—earlier than they would have their breakfasts. As they go about their days doing schoolwork and household chores, they would continue to help care for the chickens in between tasks.
The grandmother led us to the coop and shared further:
“When they first arrived, they were tiny. We strictly followed the teacher’s guidance and set up a warm, well-ventilated room for them. We never slacked on feeding—they get fresh cornmeal and rice bran mixed with chopped wild greens or homegrown vegetables every morning and evening. We also ensure they always have clean water. Whenever the weather changed, we paid special attention to keep them warm and safe from crowding.”
Pointing to a few well-grown chickens with shiny feathers, she proudly added:
“Look how fast they’ve grown! The largest now weighs over 5 jin (2.5 kg), and the smallest is at least 4 jin (2 kg).”
As for the family’s plan when the chickens have grown? Some will be kept for the family to consume, while others will be sold at the market. The kind grandmother also assured us that they would continue raising the chickens exactly how they were trained to do during the training. Although Eqi Quwu was away when we visited, our on-site observations and conversation with her warm-spirited mother-in-law gave us a clear sense of our impact on their family. The chickens are healthy, and the coop is clean. No more questions needed, we know they are on the right track.
The grandmother escorted us outside in the same way she invited us in. As we walked away under the dusk, the chicks chirped softer and softer in the background—about time for their bedtime. We hope for their growth and the family’s sustained income through our project.
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