9
a stable, fair grounds, riding arena,
community pasture or other similar
facility where livestock or poultry
commingle. To learn more, visit
mdlsr.ca/Agricultural-PID.
Thinking of
Raising Chickens?
Over the past five years, young
individuals have shown an
increased interest in raising
chickens not only in an agricultural
setting, but within the greater rural
community. The MD of Lesser Slave
River is no exception to this trend.
Why is this occurring?
Answers vary, but include:
• People want to know where
their food comes from, that it is
safe, and that it provides a cost-
effective option of obtaining food.
• Parents want to educate their
children on the value of food
production, animal care and
respect for the environment.
• A desire to supplement income
by selling products at farmers
markets, through on-farm gate
sales or raising for specialized
breeding stock.
• Natural insect/pest control and or
providing compost for the garden.
• Companionship and a sense
of rural exposure.
Whatever the reason, the process
of raising chickens needs to be well
thought out from all angles. One
must factor in regulations; feeding
and watering; shelter requirements,
disease and pest control; animal
behavior, welfare and Euthanasia.
To understand the full dynamic of
raising chickens, two great guides
produced by highly reputably
organizations are available. The
first is a guide produced by
Alberta Farm Animal Care titled
“Fowl; Your Feathered Friends.”
This informative, down-to-earth
guide covers all aspects of raising
chickens. It includes insights for the
first-time owner to the experienced
flock owner. The second guide,
titled “Raising Chickens in Alberta
— a guide for small flock owners”
is produced by The Poultry
Research Centre of the University
of Alberta, distributed by Alberta
Agriculture. It covers all aspects of
raising chickens, but from a more
agricultural perspective. Both
guides are recommended for those
planning to raise or currently raising
chickens. Find these guides online
at mdlsr.ca/Agriculture-Publications.
Spring ASB Meetings
and Workshops
The next ASB meeting will be held
on Thursday, May 9. The ASB is
also planning some workshops in
the coming months, with topics
including: Gardening for Beginners
and Advanced, Raising Chickens,
Herb and Tea Collection and Uses,
Living by Water’s Edge, and Weed/
Flower ID. Keep an eye on the MD
website for these great events!
Interested in a
Rugged & Real Cookbook?
The ASB is exploring the options
of producing a municipal “Rugged
& Real” Cookbook and Recipe of
the Month promotional recipe. The
intent is to develop this collection of
recipes by utilizing ingredients and
products that are grown, raised or
collected within the area, to create
SEASONAL
SEASONAL
TIPS
SEASONAL TIPS
TIPS
PRACTICING
PRACTICING equipment
equipment
PRACTICING
equipment
mechanical
mechanical checks
checks and
and
mechanical
checks and
maintenance
prior to
to use
use could
could
maintenance prior
maintenance
prior
to use
could
save
countless
hours
of
save countless hours of down
down
save
countless
hours of down
time
time during
during spring
spring operations.
operations.
time during spring operations.
ENSURE
all
safety
guards
and
ENSURE
all safety
safety guards
guards and
and
ENSURE are
all
shields
in
place,
this
could
shields
are
in
place,
this
could
shields
are in
place,
this
could
bodily
injury
or
death.
save
bodily
injury
or
death.
save
save bodily injury or death.
ENSURE
lighting
and
slow
ENSURE
lighting and
and slow
slow
ENSURE lighting
on
moving
signs
are
in
place
on
moving
signs are
are in
in place
place on
moving signs
equipment
that
will
be
all
equipment that
that will
will be
be
all equipment
all
mobilized
on
roadways.
mobilized on
on roadways.
roadways.
mobilized
PRIOR
to moving
moving
any
piece
moving any
any piece
piece of
of
PRIOR to
equipment,
do
a
complete
walk
equipment,
do do
a complete
walk
of
equipment,
a complete
around
and
for
around
and look
look
for other
other
walk
around
and look
for other
persons,
pets
and
any
other
pets and
and any
any other
other
persons, pets
concerns.
mechanical
or
safety
concerns.
mechanical or
or safety
safety concerns.
ESTABLISH
contact
when
ESTABLISH a a
a contact
contact when
when
working
alone.
working alone.
alone.
OBTAIN
necessary
permits
OBTAIN all
all necessary
necessary permits
permits
and/or
approvals
prior
approvals
priors
to the
the tasks
and/or approvals prior to
to
the
tasks
to
do.
you
intend
tasks
you
intend
to
do.
you intend to do.
TAKE
to
enjoy
what
you
TAKE TIME
TIME to
to enjoy
enjoy what
what you
you are
are
are
doing;
sometimes
a
break
doing;
sometimes
a
break
doing; sometimes a break will
will
will
provide
a much-needed
rest.
provide
a
rest.
provide
a much-needed
much-needed
rest.
USEFUL
USEFUL LINKS
LINKS
www.albertafarmdays.com
www.albertafarmdays.com
[email protected][email protected]
agric.gov.ab.ca/publications
agric.gov.ab.ca/publications
tobuildagarden.com
tobuildagarden.com
agric.gov.ab.ca/traceability
agric.gov.ab.ca/traceability
municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca
municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca
albertaonecall.com
albertaonecall.com
mdlsr.ca/protective
mdlsr.ca/protective services
services
[email protected][email protected]