By Leslie Ballentine, Farm and Food Commentator
As many people are aware, the latest rage in the “Eat Local” food trend is to raise your own backyard chickens. Municipalities across the country have been faced with lobbying campaigns, disputes and even legal challenges to allow for city chickens. Some municipalities have refused, some have agreed with very specific requirements, others just keep deferring a decision.
Read All »
Posted by FFC on May 22nd, 2012 :: Filed under
backyard flocks,
PoultryTags ::
animal care,
chicken,
food,
Poultry
By Leslie Ballentine, Farm and food commentator
Genomics is a touchy subject, whether we are talking human or plant and animal. That is why the biotechnology debate can get so heated. In my opinion, and in the opinion of most in the farm and food sector, biotechnology gets a bad rap in these debates.
To use an old cliché, biotechnology is just one tool in the tool box whether it is used for food production, medical advances or to help the planet. It isn’t perfect all of the time but in my experience, the end results are rarely dangerous and usually beneficial.
Read All »
Posted by FFC on August 2nd, 2011 :: Filed under
Animal health,
Chickens,
Feeding the world,
Innovation and technology,
ResearchTags ::
chicken,
Research,
sustainability
By Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
When it comes to food marketing, I’m starting to believe that both consumers and farmers may be getting the short end of the stick.
Perhaps farmers have been too focused on what they do best; producing an abundant and generally safe supply of food at a reasonable price to consumers, to worry about misleading advertising. Perhaps consumers don’t know enough about farm practices to see past the marketing hype to be able to make an informed purchasing choice.
Read All »
Posted by FFC on May 5th, 2011 :: Filed under
Chickens,
Consumers,
Misconceptions,
Poultry,
Sustainability,
Urban MythsTags ::
chicken,
Consumers,
diet,
food,
Poultry
BC egg farmers care for the right reasons. There is more to caring for hens than meets the eye.
Read All »
Posted by BCFACC on October 16th, 2009 :: Filed under
Animal health,
Education and public awareness,
eggs,
PoultryTags ::
animal care,
chicken,
education,
eggs,
Farmers,
free range,
Poultry
Source: Farmers Weekly Interactive 22/11/2020
Poultry meat uses less global energy than other livestock systems and
intensive poultry uses less than free range and organic, according to new research.
Read All »
Posted by FFC on July 21st, 2009 :: Filed under
Education and public awareness,
Family vs factory farming,
Poultry,
ResearchTags ::
chicken,
environment,
Farmers,
free range,
livestock,
organic,
Poultry,
Research
Source: The Record (Kitchener), September 29, 2008, KEVIN SWAYZE
International poultry expert Peter Hunton is tired of the question.
“What came first? The chicken or the egg?”
The Cambridge man answers in a deadpan tone.
“I don’t have a good answer to that question.”
But ask Hunton, 72, a serious question about his life’s work and conversation comes easy for a 2008 inductee to the International Poultry Hall of Fame.
Read All »
Posted by FFC on July 21st, 2009 :: Filed under
Housing,
PoultryTags ::
animal welfare,
chicken,
eggs,
Farmers,
Housing,
meat,
Poultry
