Ark Of TasteArk Of TasteChantecler ChickenChantecler Chicken

OriginsOrigins

A rare breed of chicken from Quebec, CanadaA rare breed of chicken from Quebec, Canada Composite breed derived from Dark Cornish, White Leghorn, Composite breed derived from Dark Cornish, White Leghorn,

Rhode Island Red, White Wyandotte, Columbian Wyandotte Rhode Island Red, White Wyandotte, Columbian Wyandotte and White Plymouth Rock. and White Plymouth Rock.

Breed was developed by Brother Wilfrid, the poultryman in Breed was developed by Brother Wilfrid, the poultryman in charge of the flocks at the Cistercian Trappist Monastery at charge of the flocks at the Cistercian Trappist Monastery at Oka, Quebec because he wanted a truly Canadian chicken that Oka, Quebec because he wanted a truly Canadian chicken that could withstand our winters and was good for both meat and could withstand our winters and was good for both meat and eggseggs

Took 9 years to develop and was officially declared a breed in Took 9 years to develop and was officially declared a breed in 19211921

Characteristics are a small comb and wattle so it will not Characteristics are a small comb and wattle so it will not succumb to frost bite in cold temperaturessuccumb to frost bite in cold temperatures

Ark of TasteArk of Taste

Quebec named it a heritage breed in 1999Quebec named it a heritage breed in 1999 Breed is on the brink of extinction. It once served as Breed is on the brink of extinction. It once served as

a good commercial bird until the poultry industry a good commercial bird until the poultry industry created today's "high performance hybrids," which created today's "high performance hybrids," which grow fast and pump out eggs.grow fast and pump out eggs.

Estimated only 2,000 birds leftEstimated only 2,000 birds left Good dual purpose bird as produces good eggs and Good dual purpose bird as produces good eggs and

meat is more flavourful than other broiler chickensmeat is more flavourful than other broiler chickens

The FutureThe Future

Key figures in the breeds survival are three organizations Key figures in the breeds survival are three organizations representing Quebec's egg and poultry producers that recently representing Quebec's egg and poultry producers that recently signed an agreement to allow commercial production of the signed an agreement to allow commercial production of the Chantecler. Chantecler.

"The only way to save the breed is to eat it," Fred Silversides, "The only way to save the breed is to eat it," Fred Silversides, a poultry research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food a poultry research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.Canada.

Biggest problem is that it is a slow growing bird so it costs Biggest problem is that it is a slow growing bird so it costs more to raise. However it has tender juicy flesh and is tastier more to raise. However it has tender juicy flesh and is tastier than battery raised chicken so there is a specialized market.than battery raised chicken so there is a specialized market.

Quebec hopes Ontario farmers will start raising the Chantecler Quebec hopes Ontario farmers will start raising the Chantecler as well. One farmer outside of Guelph has but not for as well. One farmer outside of Guelph has but not for commercial purposescommercial purposes

SourcesSources

Plan to save Cdn chicken from extinction By THE Plan to save Cdn chicken from extinction By THE CANADIAN PRESSCANADIAN PRESS http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2009/10/04/11291861-cp.htmlhttp://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2009/10/04/11291861-cp.html

Six pounds but what's its IQ? Six pounds but what's its IQ? http://www.slowfood.ca/news_articles_view.php?id=49http://www.slowfood.ca/news_articles_view.php?id=49

Chantcler Chicken Chantcler Chicken http://www.cfagrf.com/Chantecler_chicken.htmhttp://www.cfagrf.com/Chantecler_chicken.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chantecler_%28chickenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chantecler_%28chicken%29%29