Reading Time: < 1 minute Avian flu has wiped out more than 50 million chickens, turkeys and other poultry in the U.S. this year, making it the worst animal-health disaster to date and topping losses in the 2015 avian flu outbreak. It might have been worse had not producers increased biosecurity after the outbreak seven years ago. In 2015, about […] Read more
Avian flu outbreak worst ever
Avian flu hits Alberta, and the cost is already high
The bird flu strain spreading around the world has a very high mortality rate, says producer
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta poultry and egg producers remain on alert as the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype of avian influenza continues to spread across the country. At press time, there have been 17 confirmed cases of avian influenza. Flocks on affected properties have been euthanized using CO2 gas under federal protocols. Primary control zones are being established in […] Read more
H7N3 avian flu found in chickens in Mexico, near Texas border
Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico’s agriculture ministry on Saturday reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7N3 bird flu virus in two hatching egg production barns in the northern state of Coahuila, which borders on Texas. The strain in question has existed in some regions of the country since 2012, the ministry said in a statement. […] Read more
Chicken abuse caught on video nets $600,000 in fines
Sofina Foods, chicken-catching company fined; other charges stayed
A poultry processor and its “chicken-catching” service provider whose handling of chickens in British Columbia wound up on network TV are now each on the hook for $300,000 in fines. The fines were levied against Sofina Foods and Elite Farm Services after the two companies pled guilty to two counts each of Health of Animals […] Read more
University of Alberta’s heritage chickens dodge the budget axe once again
Egg-loving supporters and backyard chicken enthusiasts preserving this invaluable genetic resource
Reading Time: 5 minutes They’re a living piece of Canada’s history and a potentially invaluable genetic resource — but the University of Alberta’s heritage chickens are also proving adept at dodging the budget axe. “They’re living museums,” said Dawn Hage, co-ordinator of the university’s heritage chicken program. “It’s like a snapshot of the kinds of chickens that you would […] Read more
Poultry research funded
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Poultry Innovation Partnership (PIP) has been awarded $400,000 by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) to support innovation adoption in the Alberta poultry industry. The partnership is a consortium of Alberta Chicken Producers, Alberta Hatching Egg Producers, Alberta Turkey Producers, Burnbrae Farms, Egg Farmers of Alberta, Egg Farmers of Canada, Government of Alberta, Maple Leaf […] Read more
Chickens come to roost at seniors’ home
Reading Time: 3 minutes Urban hens have become popular during the pandemic, but four hens in particular are a hot topic at a seniors’ residence in the hamlet of Villeneuve. The story of Lucy, Louise, Jackie and Melvina — the names of the hens — began when Donna Sheehan, the daughter of one of the residents, received a chicken […] Read more
Winter’s here but pandemic poultry are still a hit across Alberta
Reading Time: 5 minutes Backyard chickens saw a boom during the early days of the pandemic — and the interest hasn’t waned yet, despite the wintry weather. “I’ve had eight incubator package requests already through November and December,” said Tammy Wheatley, owner of The Urban Chicks, a company near Calgary that rents chickens out for the summer. “The pandemic […] Read more
Chicken farmers cut production, but no aid sought
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada’s chicken farmers have reduced production but won’t be asking for financial help from government, says the Chicken Farmers of Canada. “We’ll take care of this ourselves,” said Benoît Fontaine, the organization’s chair. However, chicken farmers may have to “depopulate flocks” if there’s an escalation in slaughter plant closures and should that happen, they want […] Read more
Chicken welfare program enhanced
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicken farmers across Canada are rolling out the latest changes to the Raised by a Canadian Farmer Animal Care Program. The program will enhance environmental care and bird monitoring and handling as well as health-care practices, and emergency management and preparedness. “Our Animal Care Program is a clear demonstration of farmers’ commitment to animal care,” […] Read more
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