A University of Alberta program to preserve heritage chicken genetics is operating an adopt-a-chicken funding plan to provide eggs to participants.
The university’s Faculty of Agriculture has been running its Rare Poultry Conservation Program since 1986. The university launched its adopt-a-chicken program in 2013 to help preserve seven different species ranging from Rhode Island red to random bred 1978.
For $200, participants in the full adoption program receive 20 dozen eggs from heritage chickens between January and September, free registration in the university’s small flock course and a newsletter with information on poultry events.
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Taresa Chieng, with the university’s Poultry Research Facility, said she hopes the program will attract a younger generation to agriculture.
“They don’t know where eggs come from and they don’t know a lot about farming,” said Chieng. “I feel that targeting younger groups will help squash these misconceptions a lot of people have that they see on the internet.”
She added many participants in the program, which allows eggs to be picked up from the U of A’s south campus and at participating Peavey Marts, have experience in the agriculture sector. Chieng said she’d like to see more of the younger generation involved in experiencing the benefits of farm fresh eggs who might not be able to raise backyard chicks.
A mini-adoption program is also available for $120.
“A lot of people found that a dozen eggs every two weeks was just too much for them,” said Chieng.
That mini program provides 10 dozen eggs over the production year.
“We have a bunch of different breeds that come in a variety of sizes. They are typically smaller than commercial eggs,” said Chieng. “But a lot of our customers swear by them, saying they taste better and different than store-bought eggs.”
The goal is to attract 500 sponsors to the program and Chieng said there is room for more people to join.
The program also offers day-old heritage chicks between January and April for Brown and White Leghorns, New Hampshire, Light Sussex, Plymouth Rock along with Rhode Island and Random Bred 1978 species.
Those looking to acquire a heritage breed chick must have a premises identification number, whether for a backyard coop or farm.
Each participant will receive an adoption certificate. Funds for the program go to help research into heritage breed chickens in Alberta.
More information can be found at heritagechickens.ualberta.ca.
