What is it? The HCP Adopt-A-Chicken Program provides an opportunity for anyone to sign up and support the rare breed chickens housed at the U of A. All funds from the HCP go towards funding the critically important care and maintenance of the birds.
How Does it Work? You register to become an HCP supporter (details below.) In return, you will receive 20 dozen eggs (full subscription) or 10 dozen eggs (mini subscription) every two weeks from January to September 2023. You pick up your eggs at the farm on the U of A south campus. You will be greeted by HCP Coordinator Taresa Chieng who can answer your questions and make sure you have a great experience!
In addition, you can look at the different heritage chicken breeds, choose your favourite, give them a name and then download an adoption certificate!
Does the program include anything else? Supporters of the HCP will also enjoy educational and fundraising events such as silent auctions and cooking classes, family-themed activities, newsletters, videos, pictures of the birds and lots of opportunities to learn about agriculture and the poultry industry in general. You are eligible to take the U of A Small Flock Poultry Short Course ($50 value) for free. It’s fun for the whole family – including an opportunity to meet the chicks!
How much does it cost? A full subscription is $200 + tax and a mini subscription is $120 + tax.
How do I sign up? Registration is open to the public on November 23, 2022 and you can register at any time from that date forward. Once you register, you will get a Welcome to the Program email that will give you all the information you need for the 2023 season including a calendar that tells you where and when to go pick up your eggs.
For more details and to sign up to be notified when registration opens for the 2023 HCP, click here.
Dawn has an MMUS from Northwestern University and worked from 2017 - 2021 as the U of A Heritage Chicken Program Coordinator. With extensive experience as a newspaper and magazine writer and editor, Dawn is the scribe for the PIP team. Duties include transcribing minutes, creating action lists, organizing team ideas and projects, editing, writing articles, and interviewing subjects for the People of Poultry series in the PIP newsletter. Dawn also assists in PIP tech transfer initiatives.
