In Wednesday night’s virtual meeting of Innisfil council, Coun. Kenneth Fowler brought forward a motion asking staff to investigate the feasibility of permitting residents to keep up to four backyard hens – but “no roosters” – within urban settlement areas.
Currently, backyard hens and a range of other farm animals are banned from Innisfil’s urban areas by the town’s animal-control bylaw.
Before the motion came up for debate, councillors heard from resident Neil Thompson, who presented a petition calling for the ban to be lifted. He told councillors he has lived in Alcona for six years with his family, including three young daughters.
It was only after the pandemic hit and local grocery stores ran out of eggs on several occasions that Thompson's 11-year-old daughter looked into backyard hens, both as a source of eggs and as an educational opportunity.
Thompson provided a number of reasons for supporting backyard chickens – including “sustainability, being able to grow food on your own property,” the fact that hens “eat bugs and ticks,” are quieter than dogs, and offer an “opportunity to learn and have fun.”
“Kids won’t see a classroom until September,” he said. “Some of the unsung heroes of this pandemic are children. For months, we’ve been telling them 'no'.”
Backyard hens would not only teach kids about agriculture, but help keep them entertained.
“Surrounding municipalities already have successful backyard hen programs,” he told council, noting that four hens are unlikely to create issues of odor or noise.
As for the concern that the hens will attract predators, Thompson suggested it’s not a problem if both hens and chicken feed are secured.
Thompson presented a petition with more than 400 signatures opposing the ban on backyard hens.
Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson pointed out that the majority of signatories were not from Innisfil, but from across Ontario, and as far away as British Columbia and the UK.
Thompson explained that, due to COVID-19, the petition was online and had stirred widespread interest.
In fact, of the 410 signatures, only 121 were from Innisfil residents.
“Let’s look at Innisfil first,” said Davidson.
Coun. Donna Orsatti agreed, but noted that the response was “certainly enough to start a conversation.”
The motion was debated later in council, with arguments on both sides.
Fowler spoke in favour, pointing out that a number of municipalities allow hens, with limitations on the number, size of the chicken coop and run, proximity to lot lines and neighbouring homes.
“We can have it reasonably safe and sanitary,” the councillor said, acknowledging the issue has been polarizing.
Coun. Bill Van Berkel pointed out that at one time, Innisfil did permit chickens in backyards.
“We got tons and tons of complaints,” he said.
Van Berkel urged staff to talk with agricultural experts, and expressed a concern that backyard hens could provide a new vector for the spread of poultry diseases like avian flu, posing a threat to the large commercial chicken farms in the area.
“We need to think back why we put that by-law in place in the first place,” he said.
Coun. Kevin Eisses, who is a farmer, noted the risks around potential diseases "are too large."
A majority of council voted in favour of asking staff to look into backyard hens.
It could be several months before a report comes back to council.
