Questions from the coop
80 things people asked us about chickens, our farms and the towns we worked in.
Crack one open
Chickens outnumber humans 3:1, so they cross roads freely!
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Why did the chicken cross the road?
Chickens outnumber humans 3:1, so they cross roads freely!
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Can bunnies lay eggs?
No, rabbits are mammals; chickens naturally lay eggs, not bunnies.
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Is Canada Day a big deal in Bradford?
Yes - Cericola Farms sponsored Bradford’s Canada Day celebration for years.
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Can chicken be part of a Canada Day feast?
Yes - organic or halal chicken makes a fine Canada Day feast.
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What’s the difference between air chilled and water chilled chicken?
Air chilling uses cold air to preserve flavour; water chilling adds water weight.
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Why does air chilling preserve flavour better?
It avoids water absorption, keeping the meat’s natural taste intact.
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Does water chilling affect chicken texture?
Yes—it can make the meat less firm due to absorbed water.
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What’s the benefit of a raw pet food diet?
It improves oral health, digestion, and reduces obesity risks compared to kibble.
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How does a raw diet improve pet oral health?
It lacks sugars and carbs, reducing bacteria that cause dental disease.
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Can kibble cause pet obesity?
Yes—its high fat and carb content can lead to weight gain.
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Does a raw diet affect pet digestion?
Yes—it’s easier to process, leading to healthier stools and less odour.
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Why is chicken a good protein for busy families?
Its versatility suits various meals and cooking methods for quick preparation.
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What makes Cericola’s chicken antibiotic-free?
It was raised without antibiotics or animal by-products like meat or fish meal.
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How is organic chicken different from antibiotic-free?
Organic avoids pesticides, herbicides, and ensures outdoor access for natural growth.
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What does halal chicken mean for Canadian diets?
Hand-slaughtered halal chicken meets cultural and religious needs for diverse families.
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How did Cericola Farms start in Bradford?
Tony and Mary Cericola began selling eggs and chickens door to door in 1959.
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Why is Bradford ideal for farming chicken?
Its agricultural land and community support local poultry growth.
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What’s the history of the Holland Marsh?
Drained in 1923, it became a key vegetable farming region.
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What local events celebrate Bradford’s farms?
Carrot Fest and Soup Fest showcase local chicken and vegetables.
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What bacteria are common in raw chicken?
Salmonella and Campylobacter are commonly found in raw poultry.
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Who is most at risk from raw chicken bacteria?
Young children under 5 and young adults 15-29 are vulnerable.
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How should you handle raw chicken safely?
Wash hands thoroughly and keep kids away from raw poultry.
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What are common ways to cook chicken?
Braise, broil, deep fry, grill, pan fry, roast, or stew.
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How do you check if chicken is cooked safely?
Use a thermometer in the thickest part, avoiding bone.
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What’s the safe temperature for chicken breast?
Safe at 165°F (74°C) internally; pull it there to keep it juicy.
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How should you probe a whole chicken?
Insert thermometer in thigh, not near bone, for accuracy.
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What does halal mean for chicken?
It’s permissible under Islamic law with specific preparation rules.
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What makes chicken haram?
Improper slaughter or contamination with forbidden items like swine.
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What’s required for halal chicken certification?
Approved slaughter, no haram ingredients, and clean equipment.
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What is hand slaughtered halal chicken?
Each bird is cut by a Muslim slaughterman, not by a machine.
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Does halal chicken have to be stunned?
Only a reversible stun: the bird must be alive at the cut.
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Can chicken be both halal and organic?
Yes. They are separate certifications and a bird can carry both.
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Who certifies halal chicken in Canada?
Independent bodies. A Canadian label must name the certifier.
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How does chicken thigh texture differ from breast?
Thighs are soft and easy to cut; breasts are drier.
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Why are thighs easier to cook than breasts?
Thighs are forgiving; breasts overcook easily for novice chefs.
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Why choose homemade chicken dog food over kibble?
It offers control over ingredients, avoiding additives in kibble.
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What’s in a simple homemade chicken dog meal?
Shredded chicken, steamed carrots, brown rice, and fish oil daily.
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How does homemade dog food benefit pets?
Improves digestion and coat health without artificial preservatives.
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Why make homemade chicken cat food instead of kibble?
Cats need animal protein; homemade avoids kibble’s fillers.
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What nutrients do cats need in homemade meals?
Protein, calcium, omega fatty acids, and taurine are essential.
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What’s a simple raw chicken cat food recipe?
Chicken thigh, heart, liver, and sardines mixed with egg.
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What is MyFitnessPal used for with chicken meals?
It tracks calories and nutrition for healthy chicken diets.
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Why include Cericola chicken in MyFitnessPal?
Lean protein like Cericola’s aids balanced, healthy eating.
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What Cericola products are in MyFitnessPal’s database?
Wings, thighs, lean ground chicken, and whole chicken cuts.
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What is the Carrot Fest in Bradford?
A festival celebrating local farming with over 11,000 attendees.
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Why does Carrot Fest celebrate agriculture?
Holland Marsh supplies 70% of Canada’s carrots, honouring heritage.
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What events happen at Carrot Fest?
BMX stunts, pony rides, car shows, and live performances.
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Why is bone-in chicken better for grilling?
Bones retain heat, skin keeps moisture for better results.
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What’s the ideal grilling temperature for chicken?
165°F (74°C) for pieces, 180°F (82°C) for a whole bird.
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How do you make beer can chicken on the grill?
Rub chicken, sit on half-full beer can, grill 1-1.5 hours.
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What is the Holland Marsh Soupfest?
A festival celebrating local soups with community voting annually.
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Why is the Holland Marsh important for Soupfest?
It grows over 60 vegetable varieties for soup recipes.
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How did Cericola Farms support Soupfest?
Sponsored it with chicken cuts for tasty soup dishes.
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Why choose chicken over turkey for Thanksgiving?
Smaller, faster to cook, and available year-round for gatherings.
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How long does it take to roast a chicken?
At 350°F, roast 20 minutes per pound plus 15 minutes.
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What’s the high heat method for roasting chicken?
Start at 450°F for 10-15 minutes, then 350°F per pound.
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What is Bradford’s Pumpkin Fest?
A fall festival celebrating pumpkins with free community events.
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What activities are at Pumpkin Fest 2018?
Pumpkin carving, corn maze, cow milking, and live entertainment.
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Why did Cericola Farms support Pumpkin Fest?
To celebrate 60 years of Bradford’s agricultural community roots.
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What’s in Chef John’s BBQ chicken marinade?
Garlic, chile sauce, maple syrup, soy, mayo, and vinegar.
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How do you grill chicken thighs with this marinade?
Marinate 3 hours, grill 10-12 minutes, turning often.
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Why use chicken thighs for BBQ recipes?
Thighs stay juicy, resist overcooking better than white meat.
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How many people came to Bradford’s Canada Day?
Over 10,000 people filled the Bradford community centre on July 1st.
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What free activities were at Bradford’s Canada Day?
Rock climbing, jumping castles, live music and obstacle courses.
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When does the Bradford farmers’ market run?
Outdoors from May to October, then indoors in November and December.
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What was on at Bradford’s Canada Day in 2018?
Live acts, a kids zone and fireworks at 10pm at the community centre.
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Why did Maple Leaf Foods buy Cericola plants?
To lead in raised-without-antibiotics and organic chicken.
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Which Cericola plants did Maple Leaf buy first?
Bradford, Ontario and Drummondville, Quebec, in 2018.
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When was the Maple Leaf Foods purchase announced?
On Monday, October 22, 2018.
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What happened to the Schomberg plant in 2018?
The Cericola family kept running it for three more years.
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When did Cericola Farms sell its last plant?
June 25, 2021, when Maple Leaf Foods bought the Schomberg plant.
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Is Cericola Farms still in business?
No. The 2021 sale completed it; this site is the historical record.
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What award did Cericola Farms win in 2018?
South Simcoe’s Business Excellence award, Agricultural category.
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Why did Cericola Farms win the 2018 agri award?
Organic, antibiotic-free and halal chicken, and 60 years in BWG.
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What temperature is roast chicken done?
82°C (180°F) in the thickest part of the breast, per Health Canada.
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How many chickens do I need for Thanksgiving?
About 1 lb per person: one 4 to 5 lb chicken feeds four.
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How long does a frozen chicken take to thaw?
In the fridge, 24 hours for every 2.5 kg (5 lb). Never on the counter.
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Can you roast two chickens at once?
Yes: same heat, space between them, 15 to 20 minutes more. Check each.
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How do you make gravy from roast chicken?
Cook 2 tbsp fat with 2 tbsp flour, whisk in 1 cup juices and stock.
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Is halal chicken a good choice for Thanksgiving?
Yes. A halal whole chicken is often easier to find than a halal turkey.
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