Animal Health Surveillance Information for Smallholders

Smallholder farms are diverse systems. Canada's smallholder farms keep many animal types, including poultry, small ruminants, pigs, cattle and horses. Smallholder farms may focus on organic, biodynamic, or other specialized approaches to rearing animals, as well as diverse markets for their farm products. The CAHSS smallholder page brings together resources to support the health and welfare of animals reared on smallholder farms across Canada.

 

 

Information for smallholder farmers

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Smallholder Working Group

Started in 2020, this working group brings together representatives from producer groups along with federal, provincial and territorial governments to share information about animal health, and plan activities to protect animals kept on smallholder farms from infectious diseases. 

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Animal Health Insights

A podcast series from CAHSS that connects producers, veterinarians, and pet owners on topics of animal health, disease surveillance, and disease management practices across Canada.

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Smallholder webinar series

   

Update on HPAI and Small Flock Poultry - March 15, 2022. Speakers included Brenda Reimer and Drs. Barb Wilhelm, Gigi Lin, Hollyn Malloney, Theresa Burns, Tyra Dickson, and Victoria Bowes. This recorded webinar was organized by WeCAHN and CAHSS.

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Small Flock Poultry

Small flock poultry producers have access to many Canadian focused resources and services. A few are highlighted here. More can be found in the CAHSS tools by selecting the production system 'smallholding'. Veterinarians or other animal health professionals can join CAHSS to access even more information.

Manuals and information

Tips for Safely Handling Backyard Flock Eggs - Canada Communicable Disease Report

Small Flock Poultry: Raising Health Birds - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Small Flock Ontario - Learning Hub

Small Flock Poultry Health and Egg Handling - British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture

Small Flock Poultry - Manitoba Agriculture

Small Flock Poultry Resource Page - Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) (French only)

Urban Poultry- Quebec government (French only)

Small Flock Poultry Buying and Selling Guide - MAPAQ (French only)

Small Flock Poultry Biosecurity Recommendations - RAIZO (French only)

Avian Influenza Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry - RAIZO (French only)

MG Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry - RAIZO (French only)

ILT Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry - RAIZO (French only)

Small Chicken Farms: Developing your Practice - Université de Montréal (French Only)

American Veterinary Medical Association - Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals

BC Poultry Health Network - Resources

Subsidized Veterinary Care

Saskatchewan Small Flock Poultry Surveillance Program

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Smallholder swine

Across Canada, many organizations are working to strengthen access to veterinary and management information and services for smallholder swine producers. A few initiatives are highlighted here. More can be found in the CAHSS tools by selecting the production system 'smallholding'. Veterinarians or other animal health professionals can join CAHSS to access even more information.

Manuals and information

Canadian Small Scale Pig Farming Manual from the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians

British Columbia Small Lot Pork Production Manual

Ontario Small Scale Pig Production Resources

Ontario Pig Health Check-up Consultation Checklist

Ontario Pig Health Check-up Consultation Booklet

Podcast: Maximizing Swine Health in Alternative Production Settings (produced by the Western Canadian Animal Health Network)

Small Scale Pig Farming Website

American Veterinary Medical Association - Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals

Subsidized Veterinary Care

Alberta Small-Scale Swine Disease Investigations

Saskatchewan Small Holder Swine Health Surveillance Program

Production Economics and Budget Calculator

BC Small Lot Production Manual - Production Economics (Section 3)

BC Pork Enterprise Budget Calculator

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Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories

Canada has a network of  animal health laboratories that can diagnose the cause of illness or death in animals. In general, local veterinary practices help to collect and submit samples to laboratories when needed. Smallholding farmers can also call the nearest laboratory directly to learn how to access their services.

British Columbia Animal Health Center in Abbotsford, BC

Prairie Diagnostic Services at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, SK

Manitoba Veterinary Diagnostic Services Laboratory in Winnipeg, MB

Animal Health Laboratory in Guelph, ON

Laboratoire de santé animale in St Hyacinthe and Quebec City, QC

New Brunswick Veterinary Laboratory in Fredricton, NB

Nova Scotia Animal Health Laboratory in Bible Hill, NS 

Atlantic Veterinary College Veterinary Diagnostic Services Laboratory, Charlottetown, PE

Newfoundland and Labrador Veterinary Diagnostic and Food Safety Laboratory, St John's, NL