Poultry Facts

2 | Poultry Facts

Updated June 2011

Overview

The poultry sector in Canada is composed of avariety of commercial and non-commercialenterprises. From bird growers to egg processors,poultry also includes several different species.

ChickenIn 2010, there were approximately 2,800 regulatedchicken producers in Canada. (Results are not yetavailable from the 2011 Census of Agriculture.)Canadian consumption of chicken had increasedapproximately 50 per cent over the previous 20years. With per capita annual consumption of31.5 kilograms (kg) in 2010, chicken is Canada’sfavourite protein. It appears on restaurant menusmore often than any other meat. Poultry productionand processing are among the most highlymechanized sectors in agriculture. The chickenindustry is a major force in the Canadian economy,

contributing 19,000 jobs on chicken farms and inprocessing plants.

EggsThe rate of lay by hens has increased due toproduction efficiencies, enabling farmers toproduce more with less. In Canada, annual eggconsumption has stabilized in recent years. Percapita consumption was 16.1 dozen per person in 2009, with 1,015 registered egg farms in Canadaproviding these eggs.

TurkeyThere were 548 turkey farmers in 2010 thatproduced 158 million kg of turkey. Canadianconsumption per capita is 4.3 kg. More meat per bird has made increased production possible.Sales are shifting from whole turkeys to processedturkey products to meet consumer demand.1

Poultry Facts

Canadian Poultry Operations (from the Statistics Canada 2006 Census of Agriculture)2

1 Source: Statistics Canada 2 Source: 1-12 Statistics Canada; www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/95-629-XIE/1/1.2.htm

B.C. Alta. Sask. Man. Ont. Que. N.B. N.S. P.E.I. N.L.

Total chickenfarms

311 196 64 95 834 405 11 67 9 7

Total turkeyfarms

59 35 9 22 116 48 2 8 3 1

Total eggproductionfarms

627 138 53 127 599 158 29 49 15 16

Other poultry 55 25 5 12 93 68 1 1 1 0

Get more facts and statistics at:www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/prim55a.htm www.agr.gc.ca/poultry-volaille/index_eng.htmwww.turkeyfarmersofcanada.ca/industrystatistics

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Updated June 2011

Key issues and initiativesWorld Trade Organization (WTO)The goal of Canada in the Doha round of tradenegotiations is to achieve a fair, open and morelevel international platform for agriculturalproducers and processors. Canada is seeking areduction of approximately US$2 billion indomestic support, improved market access forexport commodities and status quo tariff rate quotaprotection for supply management. This round ofnegotiations has not yet concluded. A draftmodalities text on agriculture sets out proposedparameters for rules and commitments in theareas of domestic support, market access andexport competition; however, it has been difficultfor the 152 members to achieve consensus.

Agricultural groups across Canada continue to urgenegotiators to recognize that agriculture cannot betreated like other commodities as it representseach country’s own food security. In 2010, thegovernment continued to pledge their support for the supply management system.

Learn more: www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/index.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=57 orwww.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/goods-produits/agri.aspx?lang=enwww.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/agric_e.htm

Avian influenzaAvian influenza is a contagious viral infection thatis thought to affect all species of birds. Althoughrare, infection in humans can occur. The Canadianpoultry industry remains concerned about thepotential impacts of avian influenza on the industryand consumer demand. Given the Canadiandisease containment response through theCanadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

and the compressed production cycle of a poultryoperation, it is expected that producers couldrecover relatively quickly from an outbreak similarin scale to the H7N3 outbreak that occurred in B.C.in 2004. The most recent incidence was inNovember 2010, when the CFIA confirmed thepresence of H5N2 avian influenza in a commercialoperation in Manitoba. With our safety,containment and risk mitigation programs – andfollowing three months of enhanced surveillanceby CFIA – by May 2011 Canada had regained itsdisease-free status for notifiable avian influenza,based on the standards of the World Organizationfor Animal Health (OIE). Surveillance fornotifiable avian influenza is ongoing in Canada incompliance with OIE requirements. For events and news related to avian influenza in Canada, visit www.inspection.gc.ca.

The challenge of maintaining consumer demandfollowing an outbreak remains. Regulated chickenfarmers have a CFIA technically recognizedon-farm food safety program, one of our bestmeasures of protection. Adhering to a strictbiosecurity program is an important practice for farmers, as it ensures they’re vigilant aboutrestricting access to their farms and only allowpeople on site who are necessary for the operation.

BiosecurityBiosecurity refers to protecting the health ofpoultry by preventing the transmission of disease.Any disease that could jeopardize the health ofanimals threatens the economic viability of thefarm and the welfare of the flock. Canada is wellknown for its high quality food safety and, throughvarious efforts, has managed to prevent diseasesfrom entering the production system. Poultryproducers have an important role in protectingCanada’s poultry system from serious diseasesoften carried from wild birds. Biosecurityprinciples for poultry operations include isolation,sanitation, restricted access, flock healthmanagement and well-trained staff. For example,after each flock of birds is raised, barns arecleaned and disinfected for the next growing cycleto help prevent the spread of disease from oneflock to another. CFIA develops the nationalbiosecurity standards and strategies for poultry.

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Learn more:www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtmlwww.ansci.umn.edu/poultry/index.html

Animal welfareAnimal welfare supports the principle that animalsdeserve the best care that can be given and that allattempts should be made to provide as high aquality of life as possible. Good animal welfarepractices are increasingly perceived as importantby consumers.

Learn more:www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/trans/infrae.shtmlwww.ansci.umn.edu/poultry/resources/animal_welfare.htm

Canada-EU trade talksIn February 2011, the sixth round of trade talks on the Comprehensive Economic and TradeAgreement (CETA) between Canadian andEuropean negotiators stalled on a series ofsensitive issues. A Canadian request for inclusionof a dispute settlement mechanism similar toNAFTA stalled talks; the European Commissionmust obtain agreement from individual memberstates. EU wants inclusion of a controversialprovision that allows corporations to seekcompensation from states if government policieshurt their business interests. Canada objects tosuch a provision that is also included in the NorthAmerican Free Trade Agreement and has served asa source of controversy. Of concern to policyanalysts are the possible impacts to Canada’sagricultural system including supply management.

Learn more:www.canadians.org/trade/issues/EU/index.htmlwww.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/default.aspx?Country=Canada

On-Farm Food Safety Program(OFFSaP)

In 2002, the Chicken Farmers of Canada becamethe first national agricultural group to complete a technical review of their On-Farm Food SafetyProgram. The mandatory program, Safe, Safer,

Safest, meets the requirements established by theCanadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). OFFSaPis based on hazard analysis critical control point(HACCP) principles and covers the entire chickenproduction cycle. HACCP is an internationallyrecognized system in which points in a process areidentified and controls are put in place to ensurethat food safety hazards are eliminated. In 2008,chicken producers recommitted to the Safe, Safer,Safest program.

Learn more:www.chicken.ca/DefaultSite/index.aspx?CategoryID=7&lang=en-CAwww.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/polstrat/haccp/haccpe.shtmlwww.coffs-safc.ca.

Start Clean, Stay Clean Program

Much like the On-Farm Food Safety program, Start Clean, Stay Clean is offered by the EggFarmers of Canada and is mandatory for eggproducers.

Learn more:www.eggs.ca/media/food-safety

Environment and food safety

Over the past decade, environmental and foodsafety issues have emerged as a top consumerconcern. The evolution of the poultry industrytowards more intensive structures has placed more responsibility on the individual producer to implement sound environmental managementpractices. Each province is responsible forimplementing regulations.

Consolidation and succession

The number of poultry and egg farms continues todecrease as production facilities increase in size.These larger units bring with them new challengesand opportunities for management. Today’sproducers are concerned about how to pass ontheir operations to the next generation, while thenext generation is concerned about how to pay for them.

Learn more:Transferring the Farm workshop from FCCLearning:www.fcc-fac.ca/en/LearningCentre/workshops_e.asp#transferring-the-family-farm

Succession planning from Farmcentre.com: www.farmcentre.com/Downloads/NewFarmer/Farm-Succession-Steps.pdf

Succession planning from the Government ofOntario:www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/succession.html

Growing Forward

Growing Forward is Canada’s new vision for thefuture of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-basedproduct sectors. Evolving from the currentAgricultural Policy Framework (APF), GrowingForward guides federal, provincial and territorialgovernments with a common vision of a profitableand innovative industry that seizes opportunities,responds to market demands and contributes tothe health and well-being of Canadians.

Learn more:www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1200339470715&lang=eng&src=hp

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Operating in the poultry sectorPoultry basics

Chickens raised for meat are called broilers and those that produce table eggs are known as layers.

The production cycle for producing meat chicken

Step 1Primary breeders � multiplier breeders

Primary breeders supply hatching egg producerswith genetically improved multiplier breeder eggs.

Step 2Multiplier breeders � hatching egg producers

Multiplier breeder growers incubate the eggs forthree weeks until they hatch.

Step 3Hatching egg producers � hatcheries

The hatched chicks are sent to pullet growerproducers for 20 weeks. At 20 weeks, the birdsare moved to a broiler breeder barn for 34 to 36weeks. They’ll produce 150 hatchable eggs duringthis time.

Step 4Hatcheries � chicken producers

The eggs are sent to hatcheries and incubated for21 days until they hatch into broiler chicks. Chicksare delivered to the chicken producers, usually thesame day they hatch.

Step 5Chicken producers � processing

Chicken producers grow the chicks for six weeksuntil they reach market weight of between 1.7 and3.1 kg (weight can vary depending on theprocessor).

Step 6Processing � further processing

The broiler chickens are delivered to primaryprocessing plants where chicken meat is preparedto be sold whole or in parts to the retail market.

Step 7Further processing

Primary processors may sell meat to otherprocessors who add value by marinating, breadingand cooking to make ready-to-eat meals, such asfrozen chicken dinners.

Alternate methods of poultry production include free-run, free-range and semi-intensive production.

Learn more:www.agric.gov.ab.cawww.agmrc.orgwww.free-rangepoultry.com

Processing

Federal and provincial regulations require thatpoultry intended for local human consumptionmust be slaughtered in facilities inspected byprovincial or federal authorities. Large retailchains and food industry buyers require that allmeat products be processed in federally approved

plants. Poultry that will be shipped betweenprovinces or destined for export must beslaughtered in a federally inspected plant.

Learn more:www3.sympatico.ca/fppac/

Poultry sector activities are carried out by a largenumber of individual farms serving a few large

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Updated June 2011

The production cycle

Step 1Breeders hatcheries

Breeders maintain and expand pure bloodlines anddevelop cross-breed bloodlines. They supply eggsto the hatcheries.

Step 2Hatcheries � pullet growers

Hatcheries incubate fertilized chicken eggs toproduce chicks.

Step 3Pullet growers � egg producers

The day-old chicks are sent to pullet growerswhere they grow for 18 weeks.

Step 4Egg producers � grading stations

At 19 weeks, the pullets are placed in layer barnsand begin to produce 25 to 26 dozen eggs per lay cycle.

Step 5Grading stations � table or processed eggs

Eggs are sent to grading stations and graded astable or breaker eggs. Table eggs are those youbuy at the store and breaker eggs are the onessent to processors.

Step 6Table or processed eggs � further processedproducts

Processors process the eggs into liquid, frozen orother egg products for sale to hotels, restaurants,institutions and further processors. Some portionsof processed eggs are exported.

Step 7Further processing

Those who produce bakery goods, pasta,mayonnaise and frozen meals add value toprocessed eggs. These eggs may be used tomake shampoo, pet foods and adhesives, or extraprotein may be extracted for the pharmaceuticalindustry.

Alternate methods of poultry production include pasture, free-range and semi-intensive production.Check these links:www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3442www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/livestock/poultry/pasturedfree_range_poultry.cfmwww.agmrc.org/commodities__products/livestock/poultry/organic_poultry.cfmwww.free-rangepoultry.com

Egg basics

There are two types of eggs: table eggs that we eat and hatching eggs that turn into chicks.

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Updated June 2011

buyers. There are 180 primary poultry processingplants in Canada. The five largest companies are laCoopérative fédérée de Québec, Lilydale PoultryCooperative, Maple Leaf Poultry, Exceldor andMaple Lodge Farms. The top four firms (Coopfédérée, Maple Leaf/Prime, Lilydale and MapleLodge) accounted for 55 per cent of the poultryprocessed in Canada.

Manyprocessingplants usepoultrymeat inwieners, sausages, prepared dinners, and a variety of breaded, battered and marinatedconsumer products. Most of these plants are found in Ontario, where half of the furtherprocessing in Canada occurs.

Learn more:www.agr.gc.ca/poultry-volaille/prindc5_eng.htm#sec53

Poultry production and processing are among the most highly mechanized sectors in agriculture.Larger plants can process up to 25,000 broilerchickens per hour for market.

Learn more:www.agr.gc.ca/poultry-volaille/prindc5_eng.htm

Quota and supply management

Canada’s poultry industry is regulated by a supplymanagement system that stabilizes price forproducers and consumers and supply forprocessors. Domestic production is controlled by provincial governments, while the federalgovernment manages inter-provincial and exporttrade. Producers purchase quota, a licence grantedfrom their respective board to produce chicken oreggs. Each provincial board makes its own rules.

The price of quota is determined by supply anddemand or bids and offers, with some jurisdictionshaving regulations that influence price. To expandoperations, producers depend on purchasingadditional quota, making the availability and priceof quota critical factors.

Learn more:Supply management:www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/96-328-m/96-328-m2004038-eng.htmSupply management pricing mechanisms:www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/farmproducts/factsheets/pricing_mechanisms.htm

Market information

Pricing on live chickens is negotiated betweenmarketing boards and processors. The two factorsthat determine price are input costs for producersand wholesale market prices. Prices across Canadaare determined by the price set in Ontario.

Learn more: www.agr.gc.ca/poultry-volaille/pri_eng.htm.

Provincial boardsB.C. Chicken Marketing Board604-859-2868www.bcchicken.ca

B.C. Egg Producers604-556-3348www.bcegg.com

B.C. Turkey Marketing Board 604-534-5644www.bcturkey.com

Alberta Chicken Producers780-488-2125www.chicken.ab.ca

Alberta Egg Producers Board1-877-302-2344 (toll-free) or403-250-1197www.eggs.ab.ca

Alberta Turkey Producers 780-465-5755www.albertaturkey.com

Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan306-242-3611www.saskatchewanchicken.ca

Saskatchewan Egg Producers306-924-1505www.saskegg.ca

Saskatchewan Turkey Producers Marketing Board 306-931-1050www.saskturkey.com

Manitoba Chicken Producer Board 204-489-4603www.chicken.mb.ca

Manitoba Egg Farmers204-488-4888 www.mbegg.mb.ca

Manitoba Turkey Producers 204-489-4635www.turkey.mb.ca

Chicken Farmers of Ontario905-637-0025www.cfo.on.ca

Egg Farmers of Ontario905-858-9790www.getcracking.ca

Turkey Farmers of Ontario 519-748-9636www.ont-turkey.on.ca

Les Éleveurs de volailles du Québec (both chicken and turkey)450-679-0530www.volaillesduquebec.qc.ca

Fédération des producteurs d’oeufs deconsommation du Québec450-679-0530www.oeuf.ca

Chicken Farmers of New Brunswick506-452-8085

New Brunswick Egg Marketing Board506-458-8885

New Brunswick Turkey Marketing Board 506-452-8103

Chicken Farmers of Nova Scotia902-582-7400www.nschicken.com

Atlantic Provinces Hatchery Federation902-582-7400

Nova Scotia Turkey Producers Marketing Board 902-582-7877www.nsturkey.ca

Prince Edward Island Poultry Meat Marketing Board902-838-4108

Egg Producers of Prince Edward Island902-892-8401

Chicken Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador Board 709-747-1493www.nlfa.ca/chicken_farmers.php

Egg Producers of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-722-2953 www.nleggs.ca

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Egg gradingAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada sets theregulations and standards for grading. There are three egg grades:• Grade A, sold at retail markets for household use• Grade B, used for commercial baking or further

processing• Grade C, sold to commercial processors for

further processing

Learn more:http://206.191.7.239/prog/ProvincialGradingsBySize.aspwww.agr.gc.ca/poultry/pri_eng.htm

International poultry industry overviewsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture offersexcellent articles about poultry worldwide,including a summary of poultry industry data from the USDA FAS Poultry and Products Annualreports. View these at www.thepoultrysite.com.

National codes of practiceCodes of practice are nationally developedguidelines for the care and handling of differenttypes of poultry.

Learn more:www.chicken.ca/DefaultSite/index.aspx?ArticleID=25&lang=en-CA

InputsPoultry producers use many types of equipmentand technology in their operations, such asautomatic feeding, watering and heating systems.

Learn more:www.thepoultrysite.comwww.canadianpoultrymag.com

GeneticsSeveral commercial stocks are available for broilerproduction, including the Cobb breed, Ross breedand Hubbards breed, and account for almost90 per cent of production. Egg-producingchickens, like White Leghorns or California Greycrosses, lay white eggs and can produce up to300 eggs per year. Some dual-purpose chickensare raised in small flocks for both meat and egg

production. Dual breeds include Rhode IslandReds crossed with Barred Rocks, Columbian Rocksor Light Sussex. The use of hormones in Canadianchicken was banned in the early 1970s.

Learn more:www.poultryhelp.com/link-breeds.html

Provincial and federal contactsProvincial poultry producer associations provideleadership to poultry producers from all sectors of the industry.

Learn more:http://chicken.ca/for-farmers/codes_regulationshttp://chicken.ca/for-farmers/industry_terms_acronyms/industry_terms_and_acronyms/

Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) represents theinterests of Canadian chicken producers. Everyeight weeks, CFC sets a production level based on demand estimates from provincial commodityboards and processors. The allocation decisionprovides each board with quotas for allotment to2,800 registered producers. www.chicken.ca

The Canadian Egg Marketing Agency (CEMA)became the Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) inAugust 2008. They manage Canada’s supply of eggs and set a national production level each yearto meet domestic demand for the table andprocessing markets. EFC allocates the quotabetween provincial and territorial boards, whoallot quotas to approximately 1,050 registeredproducers.

Learn more:www.eggs.ca/AboutUs/EggFarmers.aspx

The Canadian Hatching Egg Producers (CHEP)represents 300 farmers across Canada whoproduce broiler hatching eggs. CHEP is a leader in food safety and is currently implementing a newfood safety program. They also administer aproducer-financed research fund that providesgrants to Canadian researchers. CHEP representsthe industry in developing trade and agriculturalpolicies and oversees various regulatory issuessuch as delivering and monitoring quotaallocations and inter-provincial movements ofbroiler hatching eggs. www.cbhema.com

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The Canadian Broiler Hatching Egg MarketingAgency (CBHEMA) represents poultry and eggproducers, processors and hatcheries. CBHEMAestimates the national demand for broiler hatchingeggs and allocates production among five memberprovinces: Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Albertaand British Columbia. A marketing board withineach province allots production to registeredproducers. The agency regulates the movement ofhatching eggs and chicks between member andnon-member provinces.

The Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council(CPEPC) represents poultry processors, eggprocessors and hatcheries. www.cpepc.ca

The Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency (CTMA)represents turkey producers and processors. TheCTMA administers the quota system and isresponsible for developing the domestic turkeyindustry. www.canadianturkey.ca

Updated June 2011

Looking for more information?

We have financial guidelines for the poultry sector that can help you make decisions. If you’re an FCC customer, simply visit www.fcc.ca, log into FCC Online Services and click Sector Guides in the Management Resource Centre.

If you’re an FCC customer but not registered for FCC Online Services, you can register now atwww.fcc.ca.

Want more management insight? Give us a call at 1-800-387-3232. Our Relationship Managers and subject matter experts can help.

Disclaimer

This study is for educational and general reference purposes only. The authors attempted to provide accurate and useful informationand analysis. However, FCC cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this study. FCC assumes noresponsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader of this report based on the information provided. It is not intended tobe used as a substitute for specific professional advice.

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