How are chickens raised?

Chickens are raised in open-floor barns. Most barns are one story, some are two stories. There is a clean bedding of straw or wood shavings placed on the floor. The birds take approximately 6-8 weeks to grow to attain their desired weight and are loaded by 'catchers' onto transport trucks, and then delivered to the processor.

How may chickens can I raise without a quota?

The regulation stipulates that you are allowed to raise 2,000 chickens per calendar year.

What do you feed your chickens?

Chickens are grain fed. Their feed is comprised of grain [60%] (wheat, corn or barley); a protein source (soybean meal, canola meal and in some cases meat meal); vitamins; minerals; amino acids; and a fat source for energy.

Animal by-products are used in some rations, however, increasing volume of chicken does not have any animal by-product.

They are not fed any hormones. Hormone use is not practiced in Canada, in fact, their use has been illegal for over three decades.

The birds have continuous access to clean water. Drinking water must be fresh and uncontaminated.

Do you keep your chickens in cages?

No, the birds are raised in climate controlled barns to protect them from harsh winters, hot summers, predators and disease. The birds are not confined but are free to roam.

Do chickens get scared easily?

To minimize the excitement of the chickens, attendants working with the same groups of chickens wear clothing of uniform appearance during the whole production cycle. Movement of people and equipment within the barns should be quiet and smooth. Building alterations should be avoided during the production cycle. It is highly recommended that workers, before entering a barn, give an early perceptible signal to the chickens to prevent their being startled. (One of the simplest signals to which chickens can become easily conditioned, is a consistent number of distinct knocks on the door just before entry.)

How can manure be disposed of?

Although Alberta Agriculture provides reasonable guidelines for manure disposal and management, producers should consult the environmental departments of both provincial and municipal governments regarding questions of expansion of their operations, manure storage, transportation, and land application.

Barns are cleaned out after each flock. The barns and equipment are cleaned and disinfected. 

How many birds can be grown in a year?

Anyone can grow up to 2000 chickens in a calendar year, per legal land location. Numbers larger than this must be produced under a quota allocation approved by the Board. The average producer raises 6.5 flocks per year.

How can I get into the chicken business?

In order to produce more than 2000 birds per year, a person must hold a quota. Alberta Chicken Producers maintains a list of individuals interested in selling quota. This list may be obtained by contacting the Board office. It is also available on this website under Industry News, Quota for Sale section.

How can I tell if chicken is grown organically?

There are no visual or nutritional differences between two healthy chickens grown organically or commercially.

I want to support Alberta producers? How do I know if I am eating Alberta chicken?

Each package has a specific 'code' that identifies the processing plant. The meat manager at a retail grocery store or a chef in a restaurant would be able to identify the supplier.

Is it true the poultry industry injects its products with water to increase profits?

Perhaps some cuts of poultry are injected with water and seasoning to enhance the flavor and uniformity of the product. An example would be frozen boneless skinless breast meat. Also, marinated product would have moisture in it.

Where can I purchase bulk chicken?

You may contact any of the Alberta Processors:

• Lilydale (780) 475-6607
• Maple Leaf (780) 417-4209
• Sunrise (403) 327-0491 

Or, you may also contact the Food Service Industry Distributors:

1. Calahoo Meats (780) 458-2136
2. Gordon Food Service (780) 455-3100
3. The Grocery People (TGP)  (780) 447-5771
4. Sysco  (780) 451-3550
5. Western Grocers Sunspun Food Service (780) 451-7300

How can I transfer my farm and the assets to my children?

An in-depth document on the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development's website will provide you with the information required on what is required when transferring a farm and assets of a farming business. 

Please visit http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex6974 for more information.  Further, you can call the Alberta Ag-Info Centre at 1-866-882-7677.

How do I know the meat I consume is safe to eat and how does the Animal Care Program and Food Safety Program fit in?

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: Raising chickens requires a high degree of commitment and knowledge, and our farmers give constant care and attention to their health and feeding.

• Chickens in Canada are raised in clean, well-ventilated, climate-controlled barns, whre they can roam freely.
• The chicken barn is heated before the chicks are place, in order to ensure they have warm, comfortable surroundings.
• Feed systems and water lines are checked daily to ensure that birds always have unrestricted access to food and water.
• Chickens in Canada are raised on family farms. In fact, unlike in many other places in the world, over 90% of all of Canada's farms are family-owned and operated.

ANIMAL CARE:  Animal Care is a Strategic Priority of the Alberta Chicken Producers and the Canadian chicken industry.

• As of December 2011, each registered producer in Alberta must be certified under the Animal Care Program as a condition of his/her licence to produce chicken.  All registered chicken producers in Alberta will receive an initial audit under the Animal Care Program in 2011, with ongoing annual audits.
• The Canadian chicken indsutry works closely with its partners to ensure the stringent regulations related to the care and handling of our birds are met and followed.  As psrt of this dedication, Chicken Farmers of Canada has begun implementing an auditable Animal Care Program designed to demonstrate and maintain the high level and standards of the Canadian chicken industry's on-farm animal care.
• Support for the implementation of the Program has come from: the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Assocation, the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, the Further Poultry Processors Association of Canada and the Canadian Fedceration of Independent Grocers.

FOOD SAFETY: Food safety is among the top concerns for Canadians, and we believe that food safety begins on the farm.

• Chicken farmers across Canada follow a strict On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program, which sets the standards for raising chicken that Canadians trust.  THe Program includes measures for biosecurity, animal health and audited record-keeping to ensure that regualtions are being upheld by individual farmers.
• Farmers undergo an annual audit.  These third-party audits are conducted by professionals trained in HACCP Principles and on-farm food safety and auditing techniques.  After successfully completing their first audit, farmers receive an OFFSAP Certificate.  To maintain their Certification, farmers must be re-certified annually.
• Certification under the On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program is a mandatory condition of a producers' licence to market chicken in Alberta.  All registered chicken farmers in Alberta have been certified under the On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program since 2004.