Because they are often diversified, these farmers have different economies of scope and scale than the large quota producers. Many small producers would like the opportunity to raise 1,000 or 2,000 birds per year (fewer units of live weight, fewer cycles per year), and to fulfill the increasing demand for local, pastured and organically-raised poultry at places like farmers’ markets or CSAs. Distance and transportation can be a disadvantage for smaller and diversified farmers who wish to market locally or who require custom slaughter.Īs people continue to demand local, sustainably-raised products, new market niches appear. The article also alludes to the concern about the lack of local, provincially inspected abattoirs, which have decreased by 40% Ontario since 1991. The quota price does not take into account the infrastructure and maintenance expenses required to raise the birds, which can be prohibitive for many small holders. Quota holders can cycle approximately 14,000 units 6.5 times/ year, an estimated 91,000 birds/ year. Visit the Flocking Options’ campaign website to learn more about Ontario’s chicken supply management system, and to show your support for supply management innovation by filling out the online postcard.Īs the article mentions, current minimum Ontario quota for broilers is 14,000 units of live weight. Ontario chicken quota was initiated in the 1970s, and is administered by the Chicken Farmers of Ontario, who are accountable to the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission. Sustain Ontario believes that there is a great opportunity to innovate within the supply management system. Quota was originally introduced to shield farmers from market swings and bankruptcy and to protect the home market. These birds must also be processed at a provincially-inspected abattoir. Our current chicken supply management, or quota, system limits non-quota holding producers to 300 broilers per year, for farmers’ home consumption or to be sold at the farm gate. The people who demand exclusive use of 'Canada Goose' are the same who would give you trouble for splitting an infinitive or dangling a participle.On December 1st, Jen Gerson of the National Post published, Small-scale poultry farmers unite against the ‘Chicken Mafia’ and strict supply management rules, effectively highlighting the issues affecting some small flock owners in Ontario. The latter is more appropriate and what I would use in journals, but in conversation I use Canadian as that's how I was raised and most in the field don't mind either way. In the example you give, that one goose who seemed to have missed the boat will likely meet up with the flock again at one of the 'stops' along the migration route.Įdit: Changed 'Canadian Goose' to 'Canada Goose'. In cases where an individual is separated from the flock, it is possible that they can join another flock but this, as I recall, is somewhat rare. Therefore, these flocks tend to stay together and individuals do their best to avoid separation.

So while you do not have as defined of a pecking order (heh) in this social grouping, you still observe familiarity and friendliness of individuals to others within their flock. Each flock is a social structure that you can roughly equate to that of a wolf pack with less hierarchical organization.

Simply put, geese almost always flock in consistent groups. Bird species, even within families, differ wildly in behavioral terms, so this is specific to the Canada Goose. Hi, ornithologist here! Though my particular research is focused on passeriformes (think starlings and sparrows) rather than anseriformes (ducks and geese), my old research/thesis advisor studied the Canada Goose at length so I have some knowledge of this content area.

Hit the flocks