LFS:UBC Farm Audio Tour Chickens
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Hi, I’d like to introduce you to our lovely feathered friends-the chickens. My name is Gemma and I work with the chickens at the UBC Farm. There are some 40 laying hens at the farm all of whom are raised following organic standards, this means they have access to range, adequate house and laying space, and are not confined to laying cages.
This particular breed is called Agassiz Cross, as they were bred at the UBC research station in Agassiz . They are a mix between two heritage breeds: a Rhode Island reds and Barred Plymouth rock. They are a dual purpose bird and differ from the commercial breeds in their ability to adapt to open range conditions while maintaining egg production. On average their egg production tends to be less than that of commercial breeds, however, their life span and long term health seems to fare much better.
In contrast eggs produced by commercial operations come from caged chickens that usually have a life span of around 9 months after they lay their first egg. This is primarily due to economic thresholds for large producers. As a small scale producer our hens usually enjoy a life at the farm for over a year and half, one that is both more humane and environmentally friendly.
All flocks of birds kept at the farm are in one way or another involved in various educational or research related projects. Previous projects looked at the use of diatomaceous earth in feed and dust baths as a deterrent to internal parasites and mites. The study found that those birds treated with diatomaceous earth showed lower levels of these organisms. An upcoming project will focus on methods of reducing feed costs and integrating local grains grown by farmers in the lower mainland with small scale poultry producers. In addition the chickens are a key part of our school programs and provide many Vancouver youth with the opportunity to learn about a chickens and eggs (common part of most people’s diets) in a more tangible and interactive setting. They are also part of ongoing case studies done by undergraduates at UBC.
Having a relatively small flock at the farm provides residents of Vancouver with a prime example of the work, space and resources required for keeping chickens in their backyard or on a larger scale. They are also part of the nutrient cycle and contribute valuable nitrogen to our compost and soils.