How Can I Donate a Chicken?
When you donate a chicken or another farm animal, it might seem like a small gesture, but it can completely change the life of a needy family. Take Kanal,[1] for example. He received a piglet from GFA World, which later had piglets.
He shared how that one gift helped his family launch a small farm: “By selling the piglets, we have bought a goat and chickens, which will be another source of income for our family. We do not have any problems now paying the school fees for our children. We also purchased roofing sheets to construct our house. I thank God for all the blessings this pig has brought.”
That’s the power of giving. A chicken or a pig can be the steppingstone to an entirely new future for a family. Across developing regions, poultry production plays a vital role in household livelihoods. In lower-income countries, 55% of rural households keep poultry, according to research from the International Livestock Research Institute.
Why Chickens Transform Lives
So, how can you donate a chicken? It’s easy. When you give through GFA World, you send an animal to a family in need. You provide a family with the chance to secure a sustainable income.
Chickens are fantastic for this because they offer eggs that can be eaten or sold. Eggs are among the most nutritious foods available, providing high-quality protein along with essential vitamins and minerals, according to research published in the journal Nutrients.
With the proper care, chickens can breed, meaning more eggs and more chickens to sell or trade. Research from Ethiopia showed that when children owned chickens and received nutrition education, egg consumption increased dramatically.[2]
In areas where jobs are hard to come by, chickens are a perfect, low-maintenance way for families to get ahead. Studies show that family poultry contributes significantly to household income. In one Indonesian study, family poultry accounted for 53% of total household income, with families receiveing funds used for food, school fees, and medical expenses, according to FAO research.
The Simple Process to Donate
To donate, check out GFA World’s Christmas Gift Catalog. You can choose to donate chickens, goats, cows and more. It’s quick, secure, and, most importantly, impactful.
Your donation to GFA World is tax deductible, as we are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, according to IRS guidelines.
Once your donation is processed, GFA World ensures that your animal goes to a family in need, along with training to care for it. This support helps the family get the most out of their new livestock, ensuring it thrives and provides long-term benefits.
Recipients are carefully selected by GFA pastors or missionaries in their communities. The pastors know their neighbors’ situations and will be careful to gift your chickens to those who need them most. Research shows that poultry programs combining livestock provision with nutrition education lead to better outcomes for families, according to studies in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
Impact Beyond Immediate Need
The impact of donating a chicken goes beyond the immediate need for food. For families like Kanal’s, the money from selling eggs or chickens can go toward school fees, healthcare or even building a home.
Small-scale poultry farming has been recognized as an effective tool for poverty alleviation, according to research in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. Improved poultry management practices result in increased household income, food security, and decision-making power for women.
A small donation can transform lives and break the cycle of poverty. At GFA World, we’ve seen firsthand how donations like these create lasting change. Poultry production at the smallholder level has very low startup and running costs.[3]
A single chicken can give a family the stability and hope they need to move forward. By donating, you’re not just giving an animal; you’re helping build a future.
Learn more about sponsoring a family for Christmas through GFA World[1] “Fighting Global Poverty with Ideas.” GFA World. October 14, 2020. https://www.gfa.org/special-report/solutions-extreme-poverty-line-poor-impoverished. Accessed February 28, 2026.
[2] “Egg consumption of children under two years of age through a child-owned poultry and nutrition intervention in rural Ethiopia.” ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154322000874. Accessed February 28, 2026.
[3] “Smallholder poultry production in the context of increasing global food prices.” PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9947327/. Accessed February 28, 2026.