Each year hundreds of people in Ontario raise a few chickens or turkeys for their own use. In fact there are thousands of birds raised in small backyard flocks. These birds are usually purchased in the spring from small hatcheries, feed suppliers and co-op stores. Under the current (2009) regulations in Ontario, an individual may keep 300 broiler chickens, 99 egg-laying hens and 50 turkeys without requiring quota. Birds sold at the farm gate must be processed and inspected through a licensed provincial slaughter facility. Eggs can be sold at the farm gate but any eggs sold outside the farm must be graded by a licensed grading facility. When you purchase these birds you are required to provide up-to-date contact information.
Many folks have raised birds for years but know very little about proper husbandry, disease control or biosecurity. Mortality in these small flocks can be high as birds are often free-run or housed in less than ideal conditions. Many folks are not aware of the nutritional requirements of growing birds and feed scratch grains or table scraps. Vaccines are not available for these small flocks because they are sold in large volumes generally impractical for small flocks. Few owners seek veterinary advice because of costs and as a result the causes of mortality are seldom known. There is little information on the range of diseases that are occurring in these flocks. So when a serious disease like Avian Influenza or Newcastle Disease occurs in commercial flocks, these small backyard operations are often suspected of being the source of the disease because few people practice any level of biosecurity. In the event of a large eradication program, small backyard flocks are included in the process.
This web site is particularly targeted at owners of small back yard flocks. Almost all of the fact sheets provided should be of interest (with the exception of course of specific disease that affects other species). The principles of biosecurity and management sections are particularly important.