Introduction to the Chantecler Chicken
Chantecler chickens are the first chickens to be bred in Canada, and work on the breed started in 1908 in Quebec, Oka (The Livestock Conservancy [TLC], n.d.). They were bred for egg and meat production and to withstand the harsh Canadian climate (TLC, n.d.). Chantecler chickens, along with many other heritage animals, are available for purchase from Kevin Fitch at Active Life Farm. All their animals are raised on pasture, with no medication or added hormones. Spring through to fall their chickens are all housed in a mobile pen that has no floor so the chickens have access to grass and insects. During the winter, their chickens are moved to the greenhouse. Active Life Farm is located in Londonderry, Nova Scotia at 293 Baseline Road. For more information they can be contacted by email at contact@activelifefarm.ca or by phone at 1-902-668-2038.
Picture retrieved from http://sonriseheritagechanteclers.blogspot.ca/
Diseases in Chicken Farming
Like all breeds of chickens biosecurity is important and prevention of disease is very important. In Nepal, disease outbreaks in the poultry sector, are a large problem leading to many farmers dropping out of the poultry sector (FAO, 2014). 63.33% of the people who give up on poultry farming say it is because of or involved a high mortality that made chicken farming non-profitable (FAO, 2014). In 2008-2009 there was 2330 outbreaks of coccidiosis disease (FAO, 2014), which can lead to severe damage of the ceca and small intestine (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry [AAF], 2001). The disease can be spread via their feces, since coccidiosis can stay viable for many months, it can easily be passed onto the next flock (AAF, 2001). The disease can be killed off, by freezing, extreme heat and dryness (AAF, 2001). To prevent the coccidiosis disease chicks, water and feed should be kept away from feces (AAF, 2001) possibly with an elevated cage system that allows the feces to dropped underneath the cage away from the chickens. Making sure that litter is dry and their water isn’t getting contaminated by birds walking through it can prevent an outbreak (AAF, 2001). Coccidiosis can also be treated by adding corrid to water for 5 days, if done immediately when the first signs show up, the chicken will make a full recovery (Willow Branch Farm [WBF], 2013). This may be problematic in a country with such a low literacy rate, if they don’t have an understanding of how to treat the birds or how to detect/prevent it their chickens may be left sick and untreated.
Other diseases include newcastle disease, fowl cholera, fowl pox, gumboro, mycoplasmosis, pullorum, and hydropericardium syndrome which led to around 20,000 deaths in 2008-2009 (FAO, 2014). Younger chickens are far more susceptible to disease and special care should be taken until they reach at least 20 weeks of age (FAO, 2014). In backyard chicken farms approximately â…“ of chickens raised, are lost to predators (FAO, 2014). Shelter would help with both by separating the birds from possibly disease carrying birds and separating them from possible predators. Shelter would also allow for easier clean up of feces since all the chickens are located in a secluded area and feces are often a source of the disease (FAO, 2014). Shelters can easily be constructed from scrap metal and wood , although being another expense it may pay off in the long run.
Selling Chantecler chickens to Nepal would create a market for producing Chantecler chickens since in Canada it is more of a heritage breed and is not used in large scale farming. The significant benefit to Canada is that it would increase the population of an endangered breed. According to Rare Breeds Canada (n.d.), the Chantecler chicken is an endangered breed meaning there are only 100-499 Chanteclers known to still exist. The Chantecler chicken is a part of Canada’s history, since it is the first breed of chickens to originate in Canada (TLC, n.d.). Exporting it to Nepal would be a great way to increase their population and prevent them from going extinct.
Benefits to Canada
The comb and the wattle have an important role in chickens, to dissipate heat from the chicken (Wolfenson, Yael, Frei, Snapir & Berman, 1981). Chickens have evolved combs and wattle that are not insulated or protected to allow maximum removal of heat (Midtgard, 1989). These combs and wattle are susceptible to frostbite because they have no protection or insulation (Midtgard, 1989). The Chantecler chicken can handle down to minus 32 C because it has a very small comb and wattles (Heinrichs, 2013). This allows the Chantecler chicken to efficiently produce eggs even in cold climate, but it will go down in efficiency in the hotter summer days (Heinrichs, 2013). American New Hampshire and Australian Black Australorp are two dual purpose (lay eggs and good for meat) chickens that can already be found in Nepal (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO], 2014). They have typical combs and wattles that are susceptible to frostbite. Although they may lag behind in the winter months they excel in the summer months and have been known to be great egg producers throughout Nepal’s climate (FAO, 2014). A farm consisting of both breeds would have a sufficient supply of eggs all year long and one may surpass the other depending on the climate in their region of Nepal.
Compared to Nepal’s Current Species
Inputs Required
Feed may be an input in some situations but chickens can also live off of insects and grass for most of the year. For the winter, or for birds that have very little access to the outdoors feed will be needed. Fortunately, feed is easily accessible in Nepal from companies like Ratna feed, Sagar and Valley Feed Industries and 109 other feed companies across nepal (FAO, 2014). Water is also an input but in Nepal rainfall is adequate and even surpasses Ontario(The World Bank Group [WBG], n.d.). Water quality may be a concern as it can affect their eggs and meat products, since some of the water contaminants may be deposited in the eggs and meat, and passed onto humans(Olkowski, 2009). Even low concentrations of arsenic, benzene, cadmium, lead, and trichloroethylene can cause a decrease in egg production, egg weight and increase in embryonic mortality (Olkowski, 2009). All of which can be commonly found near waste sites (Olkowski, 2009). Arsenic is rarely a concern, only in deep-aquifer tube well where 50% were over limit in a study of several water sources (Warner N.R, Levy J, Harpp K,& Farruggia F, 2007). High levels of sodium chloride can also lead to defects in the egg’s shell and increased embryonic deaths (Olkowski, 2009). A water filter system could prevent these contaminants from being introduced into the chickens and also gives nepalese farmers a clean water source. Ceramic filters can be used to remove the contaminants and are produced in developing countries like Cambodia and Nicaragua and are affordable to nepalese farmers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDCP], 2012).
Benefits to Canada
Selling Chantecler chickens to Nepal would create a market for producing Chantecler chickens since in Canada it is more of a heritage breed and is not used in large scale farming. The significant benefit to Canada is that it would increase the population of an endangered breed. According to Rare Breeds Canada (n.d.), the Chantecler chicken is an endangered breed meaning there are only 100-499 Chanteclers known to still exist. The Chantecler chicken is a part of Canada’s history, since it is the first breed of chickens to originate in Canada (TLC, n.d.). Exporting it to Nepal would be a great way to increase their population and prevent them from going extinct.
Picture retrieved from http://design-ties.blogspot.ca/2010_06_01_archive.html
Picture retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/khromy/fowl/
Background picture retrieved from http://scenicwa.com/blog/barn-baby-barn.html