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In 2014, Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) launched an innovative Specialty Breeds Chicken program to support the growing demand from Ontario’s diverse ethnic markets, primarily in the Greater Toronto Area. The breeds included are silkies and yellows, and they are processed with the heads and feet still attached. 

The program provides consumers with the convenience and security of buying locally-raised chickens while presenting exciting opportunities for the specialty chicken value chain—hatcheries, farmers, distributors and retailers.

The Special Breeds Chicken Policy, consistent with Chicken Farmers of Canada's (CFC) Specialty Production Policy, Part II of the CFC Market Development Policy, sets out the provisions of CFO's Specialty Breed Chicken Program. 

The policy includes:

  • Program fundamentals
  • Opportunities for farmers and processors
  • Specialty breeds allotment
  • Pricing
  • Compliance
  • Governance 
CLICK HERE to review the CFO Special Breeds Chicken Policy.
PROGRAM INQUIRIES
Qing Ying Huang
Manager, Niche Markets 
289-288-4222

CHICKEN FARMERS OF ONTARIO
P.O. Box 5035, 3320 South Service Road, 
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8 
P: 905-637-0025 
F: 905-637-3464
TF: 1-855-244-2575

INFECTIOUS DISEASE 24/7 HOTLINE
1-877- SOS- BYRD (1-877-767-2973)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are eligible specialty breeds of chicken?
    • This program is aligned with the national Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) Specialty Production Policy that identifies which specialty breeds are deemed "designated".
    • Silkies and Yellow chickens and a number of other specialty chicken breeds grown in British Columbia (BC) are the current "designated" specialty chicken breeds that may be grown under this program.
    • Specialty breeds are designated by CFC and listed in Schedule 4 of the Canadian Chicken Licensing Regulations. Any person interested in bringing in a new breed to the Specialty Breeds list will require CFC approval and CFO consent. Breeder flock for hatching egg purpose will be subject to OBHECC (Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg & Chick Commission) regulation.
  • Who is eligible to participate?

    Participants must: 

    • Be a Canadian citizen and permanent resident of Ontario.
    • Be the beneficial owner of lands and buildings suitable for the production of specialty breeds of chicken.
    • If an approved applicant requires time to build such a facility, they have a period of 12 months from the date their application is approved to complete the construction and as an interim measure, may produce specialty chicken in a non-owned facility that meets CFO policy and regulations.
    Interested Applicants include: 
    • Persons who are interested in growing designated specialty breeds of chicken and interested in becoming a farmer of Chicken Farmers of Ontario.
    • Existing farmers who are interested in growing these specialty breeds of chicken.
  • What is the application process?
    • Those interested in participating in the program are required to complete and submit an application digitally by clicking here.
    • The program has been designed to be an annual process.   
    • An applicant is encouraged to apply to produce a minimum level of production of specialty breeds of chicken of around 5,000 birds per quota period.
  • Approved Applicant
    • The approved applicant will be authorized to grow and market specialty breeds of chicken and will be associated with a Specialty Breeds Allotment (SBA) representing the number of kilograms it is authorized to grow.
    • The Specialty Breeds Allotment (SBA) is specific only to the particular farmer to whom it is associated. The SBA does not grant any ownership rights to the farmer to whom it is associated.  SBA is not tradeable, transferable, rentable and may not be pledged as security for indebtedness, and has no financial value attributed to it.
    • Approved farmers who have been associated with an SBA must comply with all applicable CFO Policies and Regulations and have regulatory obligations as existing farmers who are allottees of basic quota. Compliance includes but is not limited to:
      • Pass barn inspection
      • Pass workplace safety inspection 
      • Complete On-farm Food Safety Audit and all mandatory corrective actions requested 
      • Complete Animal Care Program Audit and all mandatory corrective actions requested
      • Adhere to scheduled and random inspections or audits by an appointed inspector of the Board or CFC (Chicken Farmers of Canada)
  • Basic Quota Units and Rights
    • A farmer may hold both basic quota and Rights (Specialty Breeds Allotment), but only if they currently are allotted a minimum of 14,000 basic quota units.
    • Every Right must be grown first, and any chicken other than specialty breeds grown under a basic quota allotment will not be counted against the CFC Specialty Breeds Chicken Quota allocation.
    • Basic quota allotments and Rights production must remain segregated, as production may not occur in the same barn.
  • Digital Business Services
    • CFO is committed to providing excellent customer service digitally in all aspects of the Specialty Breeds Chicken Program.
    • Approved participants are required to have the means to communicate digitally via email and to submit all forms once they are all made available on-line. CFO staff will be pleased to assist new farmers in the transition to digital business services.
    • Quota Period Calendar: A quota calendar of 12-week cycle has been developed for Specialty Farmers given its longer cycle, please click here to access.
  • Suggested Minimum Live Price (set per live kg)
    Ontario Specialty Breeds Chicken 
    • Yellow Taiwanese Chicken: Frey's Dual Purpose, Shondon TC
    Age in Days Week $ Price/kg
    Age up to 62 Less than 9 weeks $3.79
    Age 63 - 84 9-12 weeks $3.85
    Age 85 and above Over 12 weeks $3.87

    Updated as of A-187
    This suggested minimum price will be reviewed every two quota periods.
  • Fees and Levies
    • The number of Rights granted is subject to all CFO and CFC fees and levies.
    • Effective January 14, 2024, the CFO producer licence fee is $0.0210/kg and the CFC levy is $0.0059/kg.
    • The Board has established a "Sector Development Service Charge" annually per kilogram for each SBA held, payable electronically within 30 days to CFO after the farmer has received payment for the chicken marketed.
    • For CFC, a "specialty chicken licence" is required and will be issued by CFC following the receipt of $100 (subject to CFC changes). This licence is valid for 5 years, similar to the Market Development licence.
  • Specialty Breeds Quota Calendar
You’re invited to attend the upcoming Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) Virtual Specialty Breeds Chicken Program Meeting. 

When: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Program Highlights:
  • Industry & Market Updates - Insights into current trends and developments
  • Production & Processor Updates 
  • And more!

This meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. Log in details will be shared with farmers two hours prior to the start of the meeting. 

Should you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact Qing Ying Huang, Manager, Niche Markets, at [email protected].

  • About
    In 2014, Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) launched an innovative Specialty Breeds Chicken program to support the growing demand from Ontario’s diverse ethnic markets, primarily in the Greater Toronto Area. The breeds included are silkies and yellows, and they are processed with the heads and feet still attached. 

    The program provides consumers with the convenience and security of buying locally-raised chickens while presenting exciting opportunities for the specialty chicken value chain—hatcheries, farmers, distributors and retailers.
  • Policy

    The Special Breeds Chicken Policy, consistent with Chicken Farmers of Canada's (CFC) Specialty Production Policy, Part II of the CFC Market Development Policy, sets out the provisions of CFO's Specialty Breed Chicken Program. 

    The policy includes:

    • Program fundamentals
    • Opportunities for farmers and processors
    • Specialty breeds allotment
    • Pricing
    • Compliance
    • Governance 
    CLICK HERE to review the CFO Special Breeds Chicken Policy.
  • Contact
    PROGRAM INQUIRIES
    Qing Ying Huang
    Manager, Niche Markets 
    289-288-4222

    CHICKEN FARMERS OF ONTARIO
    P.O. Box 5035, 3320 South Service Road, 
    Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8 
    P: 905-637-0025 
    F: 905-637-3464
    TF: 1-855-244-2575

    INFECTIOUS DISEASE 24/7 HOTLINE
    1-877- SOS- BYRD (1-877-767-2973)
  • FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • What are eligible specialty breeds of chicken?
      • This program is aligned with the national Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) Specialty Production Policy that identifies which specialty breeds are deemed "designated".
      • Silkies and Yellow chickens and a number of other specialty chicken breeds grown in British Columbia (BC) are the current "designated" specialty chicken breeds that may be grown under this program.
      • Specialty breeds are designated by CFC and listed in Schedule 4 of the Canadian Chicken Licensing Regulations. Any person interested in bringing in a new breed to the Specialty Breeds list will require CFC approval and CFO consent. Breeder flock for hatching egg purpose will be subject to OBHECC (Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg & Chick Commission) regulation.
    • Who is eligible to participate?

      Participants must: 

      • Be a Canadian citizen and permanent resident of Ontario.
      • Be the beneficial owner of lands and buildings suitable for the production of specialty breeds of chicken.
      • If an approved applicant requires time to build such a facility, they have a period of 12 months from the date their application is approved to complete the construction and as an interim measure, may produce specialty chicken in a non-owned facility that meets CFO policy and regulations.
      Interested Applicants include: 
      • Persons who are interested in growing designated specialty breeds of chicken and interested in becoming a farmer of Chicken Farmers of Ontario.
      • Existing farmers who are interested in growing these specialty breeds of chicken.
    • What is the application process?
      • Those interested in participating in the program are required to complete and submit an application digitally by clicking here.
      • The program has been designed to be an annual process.   
      • An applicant is encouraged to apply to produce a minimum level of production of specialty breeds of chicken of around 5,000 birds per quota period.
    • Approved Applicant
      • The approved applicant will be authorized to grow and market specialty breeds of chicken and will be associated with a Specialty Breeds Allotment (SBA) representing the number of kilograms it is authorized to grow.
      • The Specialty Breeds Allotment (SBA) is specific only to the particular farmer to whom it is associated. The SBA does not grant any ownership rights to the farmer to whom it is associated.  SBA is not tradeable, transferable, rentable and may not be pledged as security for indebtedness, and has no financial value attributed to it.
      • Approved farmers who have been associated with an SBA must comply with all applicable CFO Policies and Regulations and have regulatory obligations as existing farmers who are allottees of basic quota. Compliance includes but is not limited to:
        • Pass barn inspection
        • Pass workplace safety inspection 
        • Complete On-farm Food Safety Audit and all mandatory corrective actions requested 
        • Complete Animal Care Program Audit and all mandatory corrective actions requested
        • Adhere to scheduled and random inspections or audits by an appointed inspector of the Board or CFC (Chicken Farmers of Canada)
    • Basic Quota Units and Rights
      • A farmer may hold both basic quota and Rights (Specialty Breeds Allotment), but only if they currently are allotted a minimum of 14,000 basic quota units.
      • Every Right must be grown first, and any chicken other than specialty breeds grown under a basic quota allotment will not be counted against the CFC Specialty Breeds Chicken Quota allocation.
      • Basic quota allotments and Rights production must remain segregated, as production may not occur in the same barn.
    • Digital Business Services
      • CFO is committed to providing excellent customer service digitally in all aspects of the Specialty Breeds Chicken Program.
      • Approved participants are required to have the means to communicate digitally via email and to submit all forms once they are all made available on-line. CFO staff will be pleased to assist new farmers in the transition to digital business services.
      • Quota Period Calendar: A quota calendar of 12-week cycle has been developed for Specialty Farmers given its longer cycle, please click here to access.
    • Suggested Minimum Live Price (set per live kg)
      Ontario Specialty Breeds Chicken 
      • Yellow Taiwanese Chicken: Frey's Dual Purpose, Shondon TC
      Age in Days Week $ Price/kg
      Age up to 62 Less than 9 weeks $3.79
      Age 63 - 84 9-12 weeks $3.85
      Age 85 and above Over 12 weeks $3.87

      Updated as of A-187
      This suggested minimum price will be reviewed every two quota periods.
    • Fees and Levies
      • The number of Rights granted is subject to all CFO and CFC fees and levies.
      • Effective January 14, 2024, the CFO producer licence fee is $0.0210/kg and the CFC levy is $0.0059/kg.
      • The Board has established a "Sector Development Service Charge" annually per kilogram for each SBA held, payable electronically within 30 days to CFO after the farmer has received payment for the chicken marketed.
      • For CFC, a "specialty chicken licence" is required and will be issued by CFC following the receipt of $100 (subject to CFC changes). This licence is valid for 5 years, similar to the Market Development licence.
    • Specialty Breeds Quota Calendar
  • Virtual Meeting April 2024
    You’re invited to attend the upcoming Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) Virtual Specialty Breeds Chicken Program Meeting. 

    When: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    Program Highlights:
    • Industry & Market Updates - Insights into current trends and developments
    • Production & Processor Updates 
    • And more!

    This meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. Log in details will be shared with farmers two hours prior to the start of the meeting. 

    Should you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact Qing Ying Huang, Manager, Niche Markets, at [email protected].