Let’s Talk
At Chicken Farmers of Canada, we care about chicken — and the consumers who buy it, too. That’s why we continually deliver on our food safety, animal care, and sustainability commitments while offering a variety of options — free range, conventional, raised without antibiotics, organic, and more — so shoppers can choose the kind of chicken they want.
Get to know the facts about Canadian chicken. We know there are misconceptions and concerns; read on because you might be surprised at what you learn.
FACT: Canadian chickens are not genetically modified, they are always free-run, and never fed added hormones or steroids, which have been banned for decades. That’s because animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do!
Meet Our Chickens and
the Farmers Who Raise Them
FACT: Chicken farmers can use antibiotics to protect the health and welfare of the birds. But antibiotics given to chickens must have a veterinarian prescription and farmers must follow mandatory, government-inspected withdrawal periods that set the time between when the chicken was treated and when it was sent to the processing plant.
What About Antibiotics?
And here’s why:
FACT: The withdrawal period and inspection ensure that harmful levels of residues are not present in the meat.
Sustainability Success
We’re making great strides on our journey towards sustainability excellence.
A 2017 life cycle assessment of the Canadian chicken value chain shows how much we’ve progressed since 1976:
lower carbon footprint
lower water consumption
lower non-renewable energy consumption
of the energy used to raise chickens now comes from renewable sources
That’s 40+ years of continuous environmental improvement!
Want to know more about how our farmers do what they do, and how the industry works to get high-quality, sustainably raised chickens to your store and into customers’ baskets?
Ask a farmer – know the facts at www.letstalkchicken.ca.
Chicken Farmers of Canada are proud to raise the chicken Canadians trust. Your customers can trust it, too.
Chicken
The Raised by a Canadian Farmer Animal Care Program enforces strict, mandatory, and auditable standards for the care and handling of chickens.
Over 90% of Canadian chicken farms are family owned and operated.
The space birds have in Canadian barns is greater than, or consistent with, other countries.
In Canada, barns are cleaned out after every single flock.
Family Farms Not Factory Farms
Space Allowance
Barn Cleaning
The program is based on the Code of Practice and has been recognized by the National Farm Animal Care Council for meeting the requirements of their assessment framework
Can farmers use them?
Yes.
When customers eat chicken, are they actually eating antibiotics the chickens have been fed?
No!
The carbon footprint of chicken is lower than other North American livestock.
Answering the most common questions about antibiotics
In fact, there have been no issues with antibiotic residues in meat in Canada for decades!
Fact:
Take a look at the facts – they’re not just fluff!
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The program is mandatory in all 10 provinces, ensuring participation and compliance from all farmers.
The program includes annual farm audits and third-party audits, ensuring accountability from every farm.
The program has strict enforcement measures to offer additional assurance.
Want this logo in your store?
Email brand@chicken.ca
or send an email to Chicken Farmers of Canada communications@chicken.ca and let's talk chicken.
