The Chantecler chicken is a rare heritage breed from Quebec, Canada that was developed at a Cistercian Trappist Monastery to withstand cold winters and be suitable for both meat and eggs production. It took 9 years to develop and was officially recognized as a breed in 1921. While it was once a good commercial dual-purpose bird, its population declined as the poultry industry shifted to faster growing hybrids. There are now estimated to only be around 2,000 Chantecler chickens remaining, and efforts are underway by organizations in Quebec to allow commercial production to help save the breed from extinction.

1. Ark Of Taste Chantecler Chicken

2. Origins A rare breed of chicken from Quebec, Canada Composite breed derived from Dark Cornish, White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, White Wyandotte, Columbian Wyandotte and White Plymouth Rock. Breed was developed by Brother Wilfrid, the poultryman in charge of the flocks at the Cistercian Trappist Monastery at Oka, Quebec because he wanted a truly Canadian chicken that could withstand our winters and was good for both meat and eggs Took 9 years to develop and was officially declared a breed in 1921 Characteristics are a small comb and wattle so it will not succumb to frost bite in cold temperatures

3. Ark of Taste Quebec named it a heritage breed in 1999 Breed is on the brink of extinction. It once served as a good commercial bird until the poultry industry created today's "high performance hybrids," which grow fast and pump out eggs. Estimated only 2,000 birds left Good dual purpose bird as produces good eggs and meat is more flavourful than other broiler chickens

4. The Future Key figures in the breeds survival are three organizations representing Quebec's egg and poultry producers that recently signed an agreement to allow commercial production of the Chantecler. "The only way to save the breed is to eat it," Fred Silversides, a poultry research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Biggest problem is that it is a slow growing bird so it costs more to raise. However it has tender juicy flesh and is tastier than battery raised chicken so there is a specialized market. Quebec hopes Ontario farmers will start raising the Chantecler as well. One farmer outside of Guelph has but not for commercial purposes

5. Sources Plan to save Cdn chicken from extinction By THE CANADIAN PRESS http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2009/10/04/11291861-cp.html Six pounds but what's its IQ? http://www.slowfood.ca/news_articles_view.php?id=49 Chantcler Chicken http://www.cfagrf.com/Chantecler_chicken.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chantecler_%28chicken%29