Alberta Chicken Producers is a provincial 'farmer-run' organization representing approximately 250 chicken farmers in Alberta. 

• Our family-farms are passionately committed to providing consumers with safe, high quality, locally produced chicken, raised under the highest standards of animal care and food safety. 
• 100% of chicken farmers in Alberta are certified under national Animal Care Program and On-Farm Food Safety Program as a condition of their licenses to market chicken. 
•  Our farms are audited and certified annually by third-party auditors. 

Our industry is growing sustainably. 

• Our family-farms produce over 181 million kg live weight of chicken annually, with a farm gate value of over $364 million. All of this is accomplished without subsidies or taxpayer dollars. 
• In 2023, Alberta saw 8 new entrants into the chicken sector, and an average of 7 new entrants annually for the past 5 years. 
• Our last survey identified 69% of Alberta’s chicken farmers are between the ages of 18 and 49 
• Our unique combination of youth and experience has cemented our place in Alberta’s dynamic economic environment for years to come. 

We place high value on the partnerships that define our industry.

• We are part of a community, an integrated value chain, working closely with hatcheries, processors, feed companies, researchers, and agriculture boards at the provincial and national level to deliver high quality chicken products to consumers. 

Alberta’s Regulations provide for unregulated production. Exemptions are applicable to: 

• Producers who place less than 2,000 birds per calendar year: Once a Producer places more than 2,000 birds in once calendar year, the Producer is required to register as an authorized, quota holding Producer with the Board.
• Colonies that place less than 6,000 birds per calendar year: Colonies that place more than 2,000 birds per year are required to purchase Communal Group Production Quota ($250 fee), which enables the Colony to place up to 6,000 birds per calendar year. Colonies that place 6,000 birds or more per year are required to register as an authorized, quota holding Producer 

Permitted Use of Unregistered Production: 

• Personal consumption; 
• Sale at a stall in a farmer’s market; or 
• Sale to an adjacent legal land location. 

Registered Producers, including Registered Colonies, are not eligible for the Exemption. 

A Growing, Sustainable Business Model: 

Alberta’s chicken industry is thriving, growing and full of opportunity. 

Starting a new chicken farm business: 

There is always a cost associated with starting a new business in any industry. Agriculture is a capital intensive business, requiring land, machinery, barns, and in the Alberta chicken industry, quota: 

• Chicken farmers in Alberta are not required to own quota; leasing is an option permitted for all licensed chicken producers in Alberta, including new entrants. 
• The value of quota is not taken into account when calculating chicken farmer costs of production. The value of quota is a reflection of alternative investment options and the stability provided by supply management. 
• Alberta Chicken Producers offers an Organic Lease Program to support certified organic producers in marketing their products. 
• Alberta Chicken Producers offers a Direct Marketing Lease Program to producers who directly market their products to consumers.