Chicken BankingApril 30, 20264 min read

From Backyard Flock to Community Asset: The Chicken Banking Story

Community Programs

Outreach & Education

55+ families across Alberta are now raising free-range chickens through Adesco's banking model. Here is how the program works and why it is growing fast.

A Flock for Every Family

The Chicken Banking Program started with a simple observation: eggs are one of the most affordable and complete sources of protein available, yet many food-insecure families in Alberta cannot afford laying hens. By providing starter flocks to participating households, Adesco transforms an unreachable expense into a sustainable, self-replenishing food source.

Program Structure

Each participating family receives a starter flock of six to eight laying hens, along with basic housing materials and a feeding guide. In return, they commit to returning an equivalent number of young hens to the program within 18 months, drawn from their own flock's offspring. This ensures the program can grow without requiring ongoing external funding for each new cohort.

More Than Eggs

Beyond nutrition, the program has become a gateway to broader agricultural participation. Many families who started with chickens have gone on to join the Goat Banking Program, enroll in composting workshops, or begin growing vegetables. The flock becomes a starting point — a first step into a relationship with food production that deepens over time.

Growing Demand

With over 55 families currently participating and a waitlist for the next intake, the Chicken Banking Program is one of Adesco's most in-demand initiatives. The organization is exploring partnerships with local feed suppliers and agricultural colleges to support program expansion while keeping costs minimal for participants.

Tags:Chicken BankingFood SecurityCommunity ProgramsPoultry

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