Poultry Marketplace

Profile of The Canadian Game Bird Industry

Livestock Development Division
Agriculture Development Branch

January 1991

Janet Stevens
Poultry Section

Note 1: Tables 3 (Game Birds Slaughtered at Federally Registered Establishments) and Table 4 (Trade in Game Bird Meat) have been updated and are available at the end of this document.

Note 2: In 1997, the percentage of game bird usage (see Chapter 3 - hatcheries) was questioned. Total supply of game birds and total slaughter for meat purposes was therefore re-calculated. The results are tablulated at the end of this document.

CHAPTERS

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Industry Structure
4. Imports and Exports
5. Marketing and Promotion
6. Size and Value of the Industry
7. Growth of the Industry
8. Constraints to Industry Growth
9. Opportunities for Growth
10. Conclusion

TABLES

1. Distribution of federally registered registered hatcheries incubating eggs from game birds
2. Estimated game bird production for meat purposes
3. Game birds slaughtered at federally registered establishments
4. Trade in game bird meat
5. Trade in live game birds and hatching eggs
6. Game bird prices
7. Composition of food/100 gm raw portion
8. Canadian poultry industry

APPENDICES

1. Survey questionnaires
   1. hatchery
      
   2. producer
      
   3. processor
      
      
2. Federally registered establishments processing game birds
   
   
3. Selected federal marketing programs
   
   
4. North American Game Bird Associations
   
   
5. Establishments where game bird research is underway

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1. INTRODUCTION

Game birds raised in Canada include quail, pheasant, partridge, wild turkey, guinea fowl and grouse. These are usually known as ‘upland game birds’. For the purposes of this profile, squab is included as a game bird. Of these species, only quail, wild turkey and pigeon or squab, are native to Canada.

Most species were introduced for ornamental purposes. These bred and were released or escaped into the wild. When their numbers became excessive, they were hunted. Today there are five recognisable sectors to the game bird industry.

• fanciers and ornamentalists, who raise birds for pleasure and profit,
  
  
• hunters, who raise birds for release to preserves for hunting
  
  
• conservationists, who raise birds for release to the wild,
  
  
• breeders, who raise birds for breeding, and
  
  
• the meat industry, which raises birds for processing and for consumption

This profile is concerned primarily with the meat industry - the sector which raises game birds for slaughter for meat purposes.

This industry developed largely as a by-product of the hunting industry. When owners of hunting preserves had birds left over at the end of the season, they slaughtered and froze them, and then sought to market them. This was often more profitable, and offered a more predictable way of life than only raising birds for hunting, and so the industry grew.

Today it is estimated that in Canada, 9 million head are slaughtered for meat purposes, with a retail value of $24 million.

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2. OBJECTIVES

Over the last few years there has been considerable interest shown in the game bird industry by potential producers, retailers and consumers. Governments and financial institutions have also questioned the potential of the industry and the extent to which it should be supported financially or by provincial or federal programs.

However, there are little or no facts or figures about the structure, size or growth of the game bird industry and therefore no means of judging its potential.

The objective of the profile is to fill this need by providing data and information about the industry which can be of use to all parties.

As a starting point in obtaining information, a survey was made of hatcheries, producers and processors across Canada. Questionnaires are found in Appendix I. The information obtained from the survey was supplemented by other documents and personal contacts.

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3. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

Like broiler, chicken, turkey and egg, the game bird industry is spread across Canada, with the majority of activity in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Also, like the other poultry industries, there are three distinct sectors - hatcheries, producers and processors.

Hatcheries

All hatcheries (with the exception of waterfowl and pigeons) which have a capacity for over 1,000 hatching eggs are federally registered under either the Animal Diseases Protection Act or the Hatchery Regulations of the Livestock and Livestock Products Act. Requirements for registration under the Hatchery Regulations are stringent, and hatcheries meeting specifications are recognized as first class operations. In 1989 there were 178 federally registered hatcheries in Canada, 59 of them hatching game birds. Hatcheries hatching game bird chicks (day old birds of any species) are all ‘small’ hatcheries, hatching under 80,000 chicks per year. A distribution table of game bird hatcheries is shown in Table 1.

Most hatching eggs are produced from domestic birds. Hatching egg imports are estimated to account for less than 0.6% of set. In 1989, there were approximately 14 million game bird hatching eggs set. Chicks hatched are not all destined for the meat market. It is estimated that about 63% of chicks hatched are raised for processing for meat purposes. 30% are used for hunting preserves, and the remaining 7% for breeding, hobbyists, conservationists, etc.

Table 1 Distribution of Federally Registered Hatcheries Incubating Eggs from Game Birds - 1990

	Animal Diseases and Protection Act	Hatchery Regulations of the Livestock and Livestock Products Act
British Columbia	7	-
Alberta	2	1
Saskatchewan	1	-
Manitoba	1	-
Ontario	25	4
Quebec	15	2
New Brunswick	-	-
Nova Scotia	1	-
Prince Edward Island	-	-
Newfoundland	-	-
Canada	52	7

Source: Agriculture Canada

Note: These 2 Acts are being incorporated into the Health of Animals Act early in 1991

Producers

There are numerous producers across Canada, but only about 70 who raise more than 500 birds for meat per annum and only about 20 who cite this as their only source of income. They are found in all provinces with the majority (40-50) in British Columbia, 12 to 15 in Quebec, and about 8 to 10 in Ontario.

Quebec raises about 78% of the total number of birds produced in Canada, with Ontario producing about 17% and British Columbia 5%. This apparent high volume of production in Quebec is due to the considerable numbers of quail raised in this province. Quail is a small bird often weighing less than 1/4 lb. Expressed by dressed weight, Quebec produces about 55%, Ontario about 34% and British Colombia about 9% (see Table 2).

Pheasant are raised in all provinces. Quail predominate in Quebec, but they are also raised in Ontario and British Columbia. Squab and silkies have significant production only in British Columbia. Guinea fowl is raised mostly in Ontario and Quebec, and small numbers of partridge are produced in all provinces.

Producers in all provinces must obtain a provincial licence or permit authorising them to raise game birds in captivity. These are issued under regulations promulgated under the provincial Wildlife Act or its equivalent in most provinces, and in Quebec - La loi sur les produits agricoles, les produtis marins et les aliments.

Table 2 Estimated Game Bird Production for Meat Purposes

	Head	Dressed Weight (metric tonnes)
British Columbia	420,000	250.0
Alberta	1,700	23.0
Saskatchewan	10,000	12.0
Manitoba	17,000	23.0
Ontario	1,525,000	943.0
Quebec	7,000,000	1,535.3
Nova Scotia	7,000	6.4
Prince Edward Island	800	0.6
Canada	8,981,500	2,793.3

Source: Agriculture Canada, Producer Survey, 1987

Processors

Processing legislation covering the sale of meat to retail stores, restaurants, fast food outlets and institutions varies from province to province. In Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, all meat sold other than at the farm gate must be provincially or federally inspected for meat hygiene purposes. In Saskatchewan, the major cities have bylaws which require inspection. Other provinces have optional or no inspection regulations. Meat moved across interprovincial or international borders, must have been processed in a federally registered establishment.

In 1988, there were sixteen establishments in Canada federally inspected for meat hygiene which processed 8.4 million head of game birds. These are listed in Appendix II. Ontario and Quebec together slaughtered 96.4% and Manitoba and British Columbia 3.6%. Annual slaughter 1984-89 is shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Game Birds Slaughtered at Federally Registered Establishments

Year	000s Head
1984	4,261
1985	4,533
1986	5,225
1987	6,580
1988	8,381
1989	6,933

Source: Agriculture Canada

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4. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

Canada imports and exports hatching eggs, live birds (day olds or adults) and game bird meat. This profile is concerned primarily with game bird meat, but details about trade in the other sectors can be found in Table 5. There is considerable fluctuation in these sectors which cannot be readily explained.

Table 4 Trade in Game Bird Meat (kg)

Year	Imports	Exports	Net Exports
1984	2,019	132,771	130,752
1985	916	126,605	125,689
1986	3,563	78,026	74,463
1987	1,677	133,058	131,381
1988	73,199	198,263	125,064
1989	99,602	240,285	140,683

Source: Meat Hygiene Inspection Certificates.

Canada is a net exporter of game bird meat. With the exception of a drop in 1986, exports have increased annually from 1984 to 1989. In 1984 and 1985 Quebec was the major exporter, but in 1986 quail exports from Quebec decreased dramatically. Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia have steadily increased their exports over the last 6 years. In 1989, Canada exported to the U.S., Japan, and St-Pierre-et-Miquelon, but new markets are being sought, particularly in the Far East.

Until 1988, imports of game bird meat were insignificant, but 1988 and 1989 show significant increases. These are confined to squab imports from California into British Columbia. If it continues, it might well stifle this industry. With the exception of squab, imports are not expected to increase as the U.S. normally has difficulty satisfying its own markets.

Imports from the U.S. of grouse, pheasant, partridge, squab and quail are duty free. Exports are dutiable at 4.4 cents/kilo (January 1, 1991 - duty in 1993). Exports of game bird to Japan are dutiable at 10% ad valorem.

Table 5 Trade in Live Game Birds (nos.) and Game Bird Hatching Eggs (dozens)

Source: Agriculture Canada, Health of Animal Inspection Certificates

Note 1: Numbers are only for those birds and eggs destined for breeding or slaughter. Does not include shipments for pleasure, display, exhibits etc.

Note 2: "Others" includes guinea fowl, pigeon and quail.

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5. MARKETING AND PROMOTION

There are no marketing boards for game bird producers; thus, the majority of meat is marketed by the producers themselves. The distribution channels include exports (21%), retail stores (2%), hotels and restaurants (48%) and on farm sales and others (29%). Some producers package a brace or pair of pheasant or partridge in gift boxes, which are popular for executive gifts at Christmas time.

Some producers supply recipe leaflets or nutritional information and other point of purchase material. In 1989/90 several Ontario producers cooperatively put out a promotional pamphlet.

In British Columbia there are well established markets among the Oriental population for squab and silkies. Other game birds appeal to no particular ethnic group, but the generally high prices tend to restrict their use to a higher income sector. In 1990 per head retail prices in Ottawa were $19.90 (pheasant), $9.95 (partridge), $1.43 (quail) and $16.00 (guinea).

There are a number of federal and provincial programs which assist marketing. (More information about federally initiated programs is found in Appendix III.

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6. SIZE AND VALUE OF INDUSTRY

In summary, nine million head of game birds with an eviscerated weight of 2.8 metric tonnes were slaughtered for meat purposes in 1989. It is estimated that the Producer return is $18 million, and the retail value $24 million.

This industry is spread across the country, but with concentration in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

Related industries which profit from the game bird industry include hatchery, feed, building and equipment, packaging, transportation, retail stores, and the hotel, restaurant and institution trade.

Producer, wholesale and retail prices vary across the country for each type of bird. Prices are summarised in Table 6.

Table 6 Game Bird Prices - $/head (1987-88)

Type of Bird	Producer	Wholesale	Retail	Av. Weighted Producer Price	Av. Weighted Retail Price
Pheasant	6.50-11.75	8.25-12.15	9.85-15.00	8.92	12.27
Partridge	3.00-6.00	3.50-7.50	6.50-9.00	5.13	7.39
Quail	0.70-0.90	0.76-1.80	1.00-1.35	0.79	1.07
Guinea	7.50-8.30	8.50-10.30	9.20-12.00	8.19	10.96
Squab (B.C. only)	4.55	6.63	7.05	4.55	7.93
Silkies (B.C. only)	6.15	6.20	15.00	5.51	15.00

Sources:

Agriculture Canada Processor Survey. 1987
A Commodity Development Strategy for the B.C. Game Bird Industry, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

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7. GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY

In the last six years, the industry, as measured by slaughter in federally inspected processing plants, has increased 63%. Exports have increased 81%. Imports have also increased, but this is not likely to be a long term trend.

Industry participants also suggest that the industry has undergone considerable expansion.

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8. CONSTRAINTS TO INDUSTRY GROWTH

i) Processing Facilities

A lack of dedicated processing facilities is a constraint to increased production and marketing.

Pheasant, partridge, guinea and silkies do not require equipment or shackles different from those used for broilers in processing. However, they do require special handling, as they are ‘wild’ or flighty birds, easily bruised. A number of establishments, therefore, will not process game birds. Quail and squab require special equipment and small shackles.

Processing is not a big constraint in all provinces. Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia all have provincial and federal establishments which process game birds. Currently there are no registered establishments in the Atlantic Provinces, but there is no provincial meat inspection system either so the meat can be slaughtered and marketed in the province. Saskatchewan has no registered establishments for game birds, and city by-laws require that meat sold other than at farm gate be inspected. Neighbouring Alberta has only provincially inspected establishments which cannot then move product interprovincially. Saskatchewan is therefore caught in a situation where if their game birds are slaughtered in Alberta they cannot then be marketed beyond the farm gate in Saskatchewan.

In other provinces, the small number of federally registered establishments and their location is a restraint to interprovincial movement and exports.

ii) U.S. Imports

The threat of U.S. imports tends to be a regional problem. Since 1988, British Columbia has been suffering from low priced squab imports. Cooperatives in California produce more than 750,000 squab per annum and routinely sell excess production across the border. Unless dumping can be proven, there is nothing that can be done about imports, except to compete effectively by producing a high quality Canadian product which is cost competitive and well promoted.

iii) Bureaucratic Problems

Due to the nature of the commodity, producers of game bird meat often encounter problems unlike those of other farmers.

To raise game birds in captivity, producers have to obtain a special licence (see Section 3), whereas producers of other meat producing poultry and livestock are subject only to municipal by-laws. Providing game birds are not being released into the wild, the necessity for subjecting them to special conditions is questionable.

Tax exemptions are available for certain goods used by farmers. Producers have experienced difficulties in having the goods specific to game bird production listed in the Farm Goods List.

Similarly, game bird producers have not always been recognised as ‘farmers’ when applying for duty free entry of imported goods, farm improvement loans and other programs aimed at "farmers".

Most of the poultry commodities are under a supply management system which is frequently under attack from those economists who support a free market system. Game birds are not supply managed commodities, although they are part of the poultry industry and as such are sometimes subject to negative reactions. Occasionally this becomes evident when projects for federal and provincial funding are being considered. Under the Farm Products Marketing Agencies Act, chicken, turkey, egg and broiler hatching egg producer agencies are not eligible for appropriations, although producers and producer marketing boards may be. Game birds certainly are (depending on the terms of the program). There are many federal and provincial programs offering financing and other services to improve marketing. The game bird industry can profit from participation in these programs.

Game bird producers are often perceived as a fringe groups of hobbyists or sportsmen, rather than as yet another link in the agri-food chain.

iv) Industry Organisation

The industry in Canada is generally poorly organised, with producers competing against each other for the same markets.

Ontario has a viable Association with a group committed to meat marketing. This group in 1989, produced and printed a promotional brochure for game bird meat, with the help of a grant from Foodland Ontario.

Saskatchewan has an association and is seeking funding to do market research and develop a business plan for the marketing of pheasants in western Canada. Other Associations are listed in Appendix IV.

Associations are very valuable for sharing information on management practices, feed specifications, equipment, stock, current legislation, research, personnel changes and new techniques. It is also useful to be able to undertake joint ventures such as feed purchase, transportation, construction of processing facilities or storages or participate in cost sharing activities such as trade fairs, promotions and exports.

Associations can be effective in communicating with governments to bring about changes in tariffs, legislation, and standards, or in applying for grants and programs which often require that not just individuals but groups benefit.

The establishment of provincial associations, cooperatives or other organisations can lead to the formation of a national organisation which would be beneficial in carrying out the same functions on a national scale.

v) High Costs

The production of free range pheasants and partridge is costly in comparison with other poultry, and it has to be recognised by producers and consumers alike that they are not just ‘a different sort of chicken’. Producers using good management practices can improve many factors such as rate of lay, hatchability, and mortality. If the distinctive ‘gamey’ flavour is to be retained, then cost of production cannot be reduced by raising birds in barns using pelleted feed.

Processing of all game birds requires handling or equipment different from other poultry and processing will always be more costly than for other poultry.

High costs are not necessarily a constraint to growth, although they may be a constraint to rapid growth. Game bird meat will probably always be marketed as a selective product which will appeal to a limited section of the population only.

vi) Quality Standards

There are no grade standards for game birds and therefore no guarantee that a standard product will always reach the consumer. Lack of regulated grade standards is not necessarily a problem if the industry is in the hands of producers, processors, retailers and restauranteurs who maintain their own quality control for an exclusive market. However, if the number of players increases and strict quality controls are not maintained by industry participants themselves, it is possible that product quality will deteriorate, consumer confidence will be lost, and sales will fall. Company standards and brand names are one way to ensure maintenance of standards, the other way is to create and regulate national grading standards. Whichever option the industry chooses, given the exclusive nature of the product, then it is essential that quality be maintained.

vii) Breeding

Many producers both large and small, do a certain amount of selective breeding, which is beneficial in developing birds with desirable specifications such as disease resistance, good fleshing, high feed conversion, low aggression and cannibalistic tendencies, good egg hatchability, etc.

An Ontario producer has developed a white feather pheasant which produces a bird that when plucked has a good unblemished appearance, free from unsightly "ink spots".

According to a paper from B.C. on the game bird industry in that province, there is a particular need for scientific breeding procedures in squab and quail. It is proposed that in the former, inbred lines to produce hybrid crosses with strong reproductive and maternal characteristics be developed, and in the latter meat yields need improvement. Grimaud Frères in France is reported to have recently developed a new product, the Euro-pigeon, with good productive, conformation, and high meat qualities.

While selective breeding to develop "good" characteristics is desirable, breeders must also ensure that the standards of birds processed for the consumer market are maintained, and that culls and spent breeders are not retailed undifferentiated from premium product.

viii) Limited research

here has been limited research done in universities or other research establishments in Canada or in other countries on game bird management, diseases, breeding or nutrition. A list of establishments in North America where research on game birds is underway is given in Appendix V.

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9. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

i) Today’s consumers are increasingly conscious of diet and the composition of foods. Game bird meat is ideally suited to respond to the desire for ‘healthy’ foods. Compared to other meats, pheasants and guinea fowl are high in protein, and quail is very high in iron. (Table 7).

Table 7 Composition of Foods/100 gm Raw Portion

Product	Protein (grams)	Fat (grams)	Iron (mgs)
(1) Beef, composite cuts, lean 1/4" trim	20.7	5.8	2.1
(2) N.Z Lamb, composite, lean	20.8	4.4	1.6
(3) Pork, composite, leg-loin-shoulder, lean	20.9	5.0	0.9
(4) chicken, flesh + skin	18.6	15.1	0.9
(4) Turkey, flesh + skin	20.4	8.0	1.4
(4) Duck, flesh + skin	11.5	39.3	2.4
(4) Goose, flesh + skin	15.9	33.6	2.5
(4) Pheasant, flesh + skin	22.7	9.3	1.1
(4) guinea, flesh + skin	23.4	6.5	NA
(4) Quail, flesh + skin	19.6	12.1	4.0
(4) Squab, flesh + skin	18.5	23.8	NA

Sources:

(1) USDA, Agriculture Handbook 8-13, 1989
(2) USDA, Agriculture Handbook 8-17, 1989
(3) Canadian Nutrient File, 1988
(4) USDA, Agriculture Handbook 8-5, 1979

In addition, the majority of peasants and partridges are ‘free ranged’ in large outdoor enclosures planted with natural vegetation, and are not fed growth stimulants or supplements. This means that they can be marketed as an ‘organic’ product.

This is a niche market but one which is expanding rapidly.

ii) Turkey has traditionally been marketed as a ‘festive occasion’ bird. The turkey industry has been endeavouring to change this image and the turkey production cycles so that turkey becomes available year round, not just in the whole bird form, but in fresh and frozen parts and other further processed product. This leaves an opportunity for game bird meat further to exploit the ‘festive occasion’ market niche.

iii) The consumer is constantly demanding a variety of food and culinary experiences. Game bird meat is relatively unknown, and therefore in an excellent position to appeal to those who are seeking a different taste experience. A number of retail chains carry quail, guinea fowl and occasionally pheasant, but supplies are not always available and it is rare that there is any advertising, in-store promotions or point of purchase material.

Pheasant producers are diversifying into cuts and further processed products such as smoked meat and pheasant pies. However the market for pre-prepared game bird meals is virtually unexplored. High quality frozen entrées or hôrs d'oeuvres using game bird meat would probably be very well received, especially by double/high income couples looking for microwaveable, exotic eat-at-home meals.

Frozen prepared meals are also being increasingly used by hotels and restaurants particularly in the catering industry for banquets and receptions. Pre-prepared meals is an area which is expected to expand.

iv) Export markets appear promising, especially the Far East. Squab and silkies are very popular with the Chinese - the former is highly regarded for its perceived fertility properties, and the latter for its medicinal properties.

The Japanese favour high protein, low fat, quality meat - characteristics which are amply provided by pheasant, partridge, guinea fowl and quail.

Canada has built up steady markets in the U.S., and these are expected to continue to grow.

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10 CONCLUSION

The game bird industry in Canada is small. Per capita consumption at an estimated 0.1 kg/annum is insignificant in comparison with chicken and turkey, about half that of duck, and marginally below goose consumption (see Table 8). The value of the industry at farm gate is a fraction of the value of chicken and turkey, but comparable with ducks and twice that of geese.

Table 8 Canadian Poultry Industry

	Per Capita Consumption (kg)	Producer returns ($ 000s)	% Growth 1985-1989 (based on slaughter)
Game Birds	(1) 0.10	(1) 18,000	+52.9
Ducks	(2) 0.24	(2) 17,700	-3.1
Geese	(2) 0.15	(2) 7,900	+11.2
Chicken	(3) 22.10	(3) 913,012	+14.8
Turkey	(3) 4.50	(3) 219,864	+15.3

Sources:

(1) Estimate based on Agriculture Canada Survey, 1987
(2)Estimates based on Agriculture Canada and Statistics Canada data
(3) Statistics Canada

However, in terms of growth, in the last five years 1985-89, game bird slaughter in federally registered stations alone, has increased 62.7% which is more than three times that of chicken and turkey. Goose slaughter has increased 11%. Duck slaughter has decreased due to increasing pressure from U.S. imports.

Growth in the past five years has been due to increased exports, and improvement in the processed bird, start-up production and processing of guinea fowl, an increased interest in squab production, and an interest by the supermarkets in carrying game birds.

Growth in the next 5-10 years will ne in the following areas:

• restaurants - the trend towards eating away from home continues. This is intensified by more working women and less time for at-home food preparation. It is also boosted by an aging population and smaller households. Households of 1 or 2 persons only, spend twice as much a week on eating out than larger households. At the same time consumers have become more conscious of good eating habits. They demand ‘healthy’, ‘organic’ foods. In addition they want variety and quality.
• prepared portion packed meals - stimulated by microwave cooking, different forms of packaging such as modified atmosphere, and changing lifestyles. Ready-to-cook meals are increasingly popular both at the supermarket level and at the food services level for restaurants, pubs and institutions.

Prepared recipes such as pheasant breasts in red currant sauce, smoked quail, pheasant pies, and partridge and red cabbage casserole are likely to find a ready market in the double income, two-person household with limited time for food preparation but high expectations with regards to quality and taste sensations.

• exports - the U.S. markets will continue to expand for the same reasons as the Canadian markets will grow. Japan also will increase its purchase of quality product. If a trading bloc of continental Americas becomes a reality, then markets in Mexico and South and Central American countries will open up.

Game bird meat is a high protein, low fat source of nutrition. It is a quality high-priced product which will continue to be a speciality item but which can increase that "niche" market by diversifying into further processed.

If the whole industry - hatcheries, producers and processors, is prepared to maintain high quality standards, and develop its further processing sector and exports, then this industry has as much or more potential than any other meat industry today.

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APPENDIX 1 - Survey Questionnaires

APPENDIX 1a) - Hatchery Survey - Game Birds Only

		Producer Survey Game Birds Only
1	Type of Bird (i.e. pheasant, partridge, quails, guinea fowl, squabs etc.)
2	Eggs Set/Annum (including custom set)
3	Source of Eggs (%)
	Own Production
	Custom Set
	Purchased in Province
	Purchased out of Province
	Imported
4	Hatchability(%)
5	Disposal of chicks (%)
	Reared on Premises
	Sold in Province
	Sold out of Province (Canada)
6	Overall Rate of Growth in Last 5 Years
7	Seasonality (i.e. year-round. Oct., Nov. only)
8	Is your hatchery registered under: The Livestock and Livestock Products Act..................... The Animal Diseases Protection Act....................
9	Notes and Comments (use reverse side if necessary)

Information will be stored in Personal Information Bank DOA/P-P4-256 and will be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act. Other information may be accessible under the provisions of the Access to Information Act. The Collection Registration Number is DOA/ABD-496-026999.

 

Signature & Date

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APPENDIX 1b) - Producer Survey - Game Birds Only

		Producer Survey Game Birds Only
1	Type of Bird (i.e. pheasant, partridge, quails, guinea fowl, squabs etc.)
2	Annual Production (specify head or pairs)
3	Source of Chicks (%)
	Own Hatch
	Purchased in Province
	Purchased out of Province
	Imported
4	Disposal of chicks (%)
	Hunting
	Slaughter
	Showing
	Breeding*
	Other (specify)
5	* If Breeding rate of lay per annum
6	Mortality (%)
7	Rearing Time (Weeks)
8	Feed Conversion (lbs.)
9	Disposal of Eggs (%)
	Used for Own Hatch
	Sold for Hatching (Canada)
	Sold for Hatching (Exports)
	Retail Sales
10	Overall Rate of Growth in Last 5 Years
11	Are bird games your primary source of income?	Yes		No
12	If No, what percentage?..........
13	Notes and Comments (use reverse side if necessary)

Information will be stored in Personal Information Bank DOA/P-P4-256 and will be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act. Other information may be accessible under the provisions of the Access to Information Act. The Collection Registration Number is DOA/ABD-496-026999.

 

Signature & Date

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APPENDIX 1c) - Processor Survey - Game Birds Only

		Processor Survey Game Birds Only
1	Type of Bird (i.e. pheasant, partridge, quails, guinea fowl, squabs etc.)
2	Annual Slaughter (including custom kill) No. of Head
3	End Use (%)
	Custom Kill
	Sold to Retail
	Sold to Food Services
	Exported
	Other (specify)
4	Average Prices (specify price/head/kg or lb)
	To Producer
	To Retailer
	To Consumer
5	Imports Do you import product? If yes, how much (in kg)	Yes No	Yes No	Yes No	Yes No
6	Number of Producers for whom you slaughter
7	Overall Rate of Growth in Last 5 Years (%)
8	Seasonality of Slaughter (i.e. year-round, Oct. Nov. only)
9	Special Equipment
	Purchased
	Custom made
	Other (specify)
10	Notes and Comments (use reverse side if necessary)

Information will be stored in Personal Information Bank DOA/P-P4-256 and will be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act. Other information may be accessible under the provisions of the Access to Information Act. The Collection Registration Number is DOA/ABD-496-026999.

 

Signature & Date

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APPENDIX II

FEDERALLY REGISTERED ESTABLISHMENTS PROCESSING GAME BIRDS - 1988-1989

Province	Establishment
British Columbia	Fraser Valley Duck and Goose Farm
	Pacific Game Bird Packers, Inc.
	Superior Poultry Processors Ltd.
	Western Protein Foods Ltd.
Manitoba	Pembina Poultry Packers Ltd.
Ontario	Chai Poultry Inc.(2)
	Flintshire Farms Inc.
	Franz Turkey Farms Ltd.(l)
	King Cole Ducks Ltd.(2)
	Nipissing Game Farm
	Roder Turkey Farms Ltd.
	Tall Pines Foods Inc.
Quebec	Entreprises cunicoles Gauthier Ltée
	Ferme des Becs Fins
	Ferme du Gibier El Rancho
	La Ferme du Gourmet Inc.
	Ferme Giannone Fils Inc.(2)
	Volailles Avinov Ltée
	Les Volailles Mascouche Inc.

(1) - 1988 only (2) - 1989 only

Source : Agriculture Canada

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APPENDIX III

SELECTED FEDERAL MARKETING PROGRAMS

Federal/Provincial

Federal/Provincial Agreements signed under the Economic Regional Development Agreements (ERDAs).

Subsidiary or Cooperative Agri-food Agreements (administered by Agriculture Canada and the provincial departments of agriculture) are currently in place with Newfoundland, Prince Edward Iland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia.

The general objectives of the Agreements are to enhance through financial support, the economic viability of the agri-food system. This is achieved through programs which are established in each province according to its needs and priorities. All provinces with sub-agreements have programs in place in support of marketing.

e.g. Canada/Nova Scotia Agri-Food Agreement has a Market Development Program, the objectives of which are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nova Scotia Agri-Food Marketing system and to identify, develop and expand viable long-term markets for Nova Scotia products.

Federal

Different departments of the federal government administer numerous acts and programs which impact upon marketing.

The Meat Inspection Act administered by Agriculture Canada regulates the processing, manufacturing and packaging of meat and meat products in interprovincial and export trade.

The Food and Drugs Act administered by Health and Welfare Canada controls the sale of food stored at retail with regard to storage conditions, labelling, nutritional information and misleading advertising.

A number of federal departments have Markets Information Programs which provide data on prices, production, trade. Others supply technical information and conduct research. These all impact on the marketing of food and food products.

Canadian Agri-Food Development Initiative (CAFDI) - Agriculture Canada

Facilitates economic development in the Canadian agricultural and food products industry through the provision of financial assistance on a cost-shared basis for various activities including marketing.

e.g. Production of a video for presentation at an international meeting to increase buyers' awareness of Canadian livestock.

Export Expansion Fund

Supports activities aimed at resolving technical barriers to the export of agri-food
e.g. Improved knowledge on goose breeding stock

Program for Export Market Development

A trade promotion program which offers financial assistance on a cost sharing basis to Canadian businesses to increase export sales.

e.g. Industry participation in visits, trade missions and trade fairs, bidding on specific foreign projects and establishing export consortia and permanent sales offices in existing export markets.

The Export Development Corporation (EDC) - a Crown Corporation (reports to Parliament through the Minister for International Affairs)

This organisation offers export insurance, and export financing in the forma of loans, lines of credit and loan guarantees.

Regional

Western Economic Diversification Canada

This is a federal department responsible for promoting the diversification of the western Canada economy and for advancing the West's interests in national and economic policy. This is done through the Western Diversification Program which funds innovative ways to help western Canadian business people develop new products, markets and technology and productivity improvements and import replacements.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

This is a federal government development agency providing financial support, and expertise and advice to entrepreneurs in the Atlantic region. Eligible sectors include manufacturing and processing, but do not include agriculture per se, although initiatives which could represent a strategic investment for the economic development of the Atlantic region might be considered.

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APPENDIX IV

NORTH AMERICAN GAME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS

Association des éleveurs d'oiseaux fermiers
Ferme avicole d'Oka Inc.
1525 Chemin Oka
Comté Deux Montagnes, Oka (Quebec)
JON 1E0
Claude Dicaire, secrétaire (514) 479-6610

Ontario Game Bird Association
Gold Creek Farms Ltd.
R.R. 2, Mt Brydges (Ont.) NOL 1W0 (519) 245-1329
Ken Hook, President (613) 336-8552

Commercial Pheasant Producers Cooperative Ltd.
P.O. Box 288
Kerrobert (Saskatchewan) SOL 1R0
Jim Wilson (306) 834-5156

North American Gamebird Association
Wildlife Harvest
P.O. Box 96
Goose Lake (Iowa) 52750

John Mullin, editor (319) 242-3046
Peggy Mullin Boehmer, Assistant editor (319) 242-3046

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APPENDIX V

GAME BIRD RESEARCH UNDERWAY IN NORTH AMERICA

NOM ET DOMAINE	ADRESSE
Syed Bokhari Game Birds, Ostrich	University of California 733 Country Center III Modesto (Californie) 95355
Roland Poutz Game Birds	California Polytechnic State U Animal Science and Industry Dept. San Luis Obispo (Californie) 93407
A.W. Adams Management Nutrition of Chicken, Turkey, Game Birds	Dept. of Animal Science Call Hall, Kansas State University Manhattan (Kansas) 66506
J.E. Savage Game Bird Production	Animal Sciences Department S105 Animal Science Center U Missouri, Columbia (Missouri) 65211
S.E. Ackerman Game Bird Management	Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County 249 Highland Avenue Rochester (New York) 14620
J. Hermes Game Birds	Oregon Cooperative Extension Service 2050 Lafayette Avenue McMinniville (Oregon) 97128
B.L. Hughes Game Birds	Poultry Science Department Clemson University 129 P&AS Bldg Clemson (Caroline du Sud) 29634-0739
Tom Eliazer, William Derieux Game Bird Diseases	Clemson Livestock & Poultry Lab Clemson University, P.O. Box 218 Elgin (Caroline du Sud) 29045C.
R. Creger Game Bird Nutrition	Poultry Science Department Texas A&M University College Station (Texas) 77843

Source : Poultry Science Resource List, July 1990, USDA Extension Service,
Washington

C. Vilchez et al. Quail Diet	Département de zootechnie Université McGill Montréal (Quebec) H3G 2M1
M.C. Yang et P. Vohra Protein and Energy Requirements - Squab	Department of Avian Sciences University of California Davis (Californie) 95616
V.A. Garwood et K.C. Diehl Jr. Quail Body Volume and Density	Poultry Research Laboratory Agricultural Research Services USDA, Georgetown (Delaware) 19947
M.D. Ouart et al. Effect of Broding Paper on Quail Performance	Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences Department of Poultry Science University of Florida Gainsville (Floride) 36211
J.R. Darden et H.L. Marks Selection of Quail for Growth	Genetics Unit Southeast Poultry Research Lab. Agricultural Research Service USDA 107 Livestock - Poultry Building University of Georgia Athens (Georgie) 30602
D.G. Satterlee et W.A. Johnson Selection of quail for Blood response to Immobility	Louisiana State University Department of Poultry Science Agriculture Centre Baton Rouge (Louisiane) 70803
P.B. Connolly et LP. Callard Quail Pituitary Responsiveness	Department of Biology Boston University Boston (Massachusetts) 02215
G.S. Stoewsand et al. Quail Diet and Cadmium Levels in Meat	Department of Food Science and Technology N.Y. State Agricultural Experimental Station Cornell University Geneva (New York) 14853
C.A. Bache et al. Quail Diet and Cadmium Levels in Meat	Toxic Chemicals Lab N.Y. State College of Agriculture and Life Science Cornell University, Tower Road Ithaca (New York) 14853
J.T. Kerlan et al. Surgical Deafening and Photoperiod - Quail Study	Department of Biology and Psychology Hobart & William Smith College Geneva (New York) 14456
Y.C. Lin et al. Effect of Gossypol on Quail	Dept. of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology College of Veterinary Medicine Ohio State University Columbus (Ohio) 43210
K.E. Nestor et al. Selection for Body Weight & Yolk Precursor in Quail	Department of Poultry Science Ohio Agriculture Research Development Center Ohio State University Wooster (Ohio) 44691
M. Domjan Quail Social Behavious	Department of Psychology University of Texas Austin (Texas) 78712
D.P. Bates et al. Lighting & Sex Ratio for Breeding Ringneck Pheasants	Department of Natural Resources State Game Farm Poynette (Wisconsin) 53955

Research also carried out in Japan, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, Nigeria, India and the Netherlands

Source : Poultry Abstracts, 1988-1990

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Table 3 (UpdatedSeptember 2001) - Game Birds slaughtered at Federally Registered Establishments

Year	000s Head
1990	6,857
1991	6,217
1992	7,420
1993	10,461
1994	7,741
1995	8,184
1996	9,081
1997	9,195
1998	9,336
1999	9,514
2000	10,581

Source: CFIA Inspected Establishments

Table 4 (Updated September 2001) - Trade in Game Bird Meat (kg)

Year	Imports	Exports	Net Exports
1990	210,183	260,322	50,139
1991	235,062	326,779	91,717
1992	164,837	277,168	112,331
1993	112,339	362,468	250,129
1994	105,954	341,690	235,736
1995	90,211	492,608	402,397
1996	111,953	517,718	405,765
1997	93,975	419,790	325,815
1998	78,374	617,499	539,125
1999	53,336	194,274	140,938
2000		487,107

Source: CFIA Meat Hygiene Inspection Certificates

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Game Bird Survey 1997 (head)

Total Game Birds Hatched*	12,142,000
Live Exports (minus)	20,000
Live Imports (plus)	60,465
Net Game Birds	12,182,474
15% loss during rearing (minus)	1,827,371
Total Game Birds Raised	10,355,103
Slaughter in Registered Establishments	9,519,232
Percentage of Game Birds Used for Meat	91.9

* Including pheasant, partridge, quail, wild turkey, squab and colins (a cousin to the quail) but excluding guinea fowl and silkies

Source: CFIA Import and Slaughter data; 1997 Hatchery Survey; Provincial Slaughter Data

2% birds hatched are retained for breeding purposes, but this has not been included in the calculation as the previous year's breeding stock would be slaughtered in the current year.

To corroborate these results hatcheries were also asked what percentage of their birds went for hunting and what percentage for meat. Not all hatcheries could answer as they custom hatch and/or sell to producers and do not know what happens to the birds. Responses obtained indicated that 97% were used for meat purposes and 3% for hunting.