Fuelled by the perception that many consumers want an end to the mass culling of male chicks, early-incubation gender identification of eggs continues to be a focus for researchers. A presentation at the recent Eurotier farm show in Germany, held virtually, indicated a German-Dutch collaboration may have the lead in bringing an effective technology to […] Read more
Tag Archives chickens — page 3
Technologies driven by demand for cull-free eggs
Respeggt brand eggs now available in German supermarkets
COVID outbreak closes Cargill chicken processing plant
Eighty-two workers test positive, all employees encouraged to get tested
The Cargill chicken processing facility in London abruptly ceased production on April 13 after 82 workers tested positive for COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 positives at the Cuddy Boulevard facility marks a steep increase from the nine reported by the Middlesex-London Health Unit the week before. “Our focus is on continuing to keep our employees […] Read more
On-farm hatching may benefit bird welfare
A poultry company is studying the logistics and benefits of bringing the eggs to the farm and hatching them there
Glacier FarmMedia – Hatching chicks on the farms where they are raised, rather than in a hatchery for later shipment to the farm, might improve bird welfare and performance. Groupe Westco, a New Brunswick poultry company, has undertaken research on the subject, with full results expected in 2021. Why it matters: Concerns about chick mortality […] Read more
Poultry housing changes could increase risk of disease
Barn management can decrease risks of bird illness
New housing changes in the poultry industry may increase the risk of disease if the birds are not properly managed in their new environments, said a laying hen veterinarian with McKinley Hatchery. Dr. Mike Petrik spoke at the Poultry Industry Council’s Poultry Innovations Conference held in November in London. Why it matters: Producers will have […] Read more
Chicken Farmers of Ontario receive award
Chicken Farmers of Ontario was named the recipient of the Paul Mistele Award, in recognition of the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program. The award was presented by Feed Ontario Oct. 24 at the annual Harvest Gala hosted by Farm & Food Care. Named for the late farm leader who founded Ontario Pork’s Donate-A-Hog […] Read more
Chicks born with ability to distinguish and avoid dangers
Science Notes: Appropriate reactions to predators key to survival
Chicks are born with the know-ledge to flee from predators rather than learning it from experience, according to a study by University of Trento in Italy and Queen Mary University of London. Researchers also found that newborn chicks know to slow down or stop moving to avoid being noticed when a predator is far away. […] Read more
Chicken, egg farmers still looking for trade package
A package for dairy farmers was announced before the current federal election
Chicken and egg farmers continue to wait for a trade compensation package, which they had hoped to see before the current federal election. Their supply management cousins in dairy got the announcement they were looking for with a $1.75 billion package that will pay out $345 million in the first year of the seven-year program. […] Read more
Editorial: How far should backyard chicken biosecurity go?
I admit it. I have backyard chickens. For a decade we’ve had about 10 chickens, give or take, on our farm that supply our family with as many eggs as we need. There’s no question that they are pets — and my family has made that clear to me as I have suggested it might […] Read more
4-H youth solves problem of chick death with “Safer Chick-ments”
A 14-year-old Canadian created a new design for the boxes in which chicks are shipped and applied for a patent
Glacier FarmMedia – It all started with a 4-H project for 14-year-old Mac Dykeman. A member of a 4-H poultry club at Langley, B.C., she was often dismayed when her orders from the United States arrived with dead birds in the shipment. “I would receive them and open the box and many times find them […] Read more
‘Slow-growth’ chicken soon to be on the shelf
Canadian researchers are determining what breeds of chickens would be best for slower-growth market
Glacier FarmMedia – The fresh chicken section, at the grocery store is easy to navigate. There is chicken breast and chicken thighs. Sometimes the bone is included, sometimes not. That simplicity may soon end. Before long, chicken meat with a “slow growth” label could appear at major grocers, because retailers and restaurant chains, like Whole […] Read more
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