South Bruce Peninsula is looking at allowing backyard chickens in the municipality.
Council supported the idea at its meeting Tuesday, and after a public meeting, directed staff to bring back a zoning bylaw amendment at the next meeting that would allow for six to ten backyard chickens on a residential property.
A staff report says, “the addition of this amendment is going to provide residents with a healthy whole food option especially at a time when grocery prices are high and the impact to neighbours and the community is anticipated to be minimal.”
Deputy Mayor Caleb Hull asked about chicken coops on lot-lines, and staff noted they have to be at least one metre from lot lines and meet yard setback rules.
Residents who commented at the meeting were generally supportive, though also voiced some concern about potential issues like smell, upkeep of coops and chickens roaming off property.
Mayor Jay Kirkland said, “We’re asking for self-policing in the beginning. If people are not going to self-police and council constantly is getting calls to our bylaw that ‘there’s chickens on my property or the manure’s being thrown over the fence’ those type of things, we do now have the power to implement a second part of this where we can send a bylaw officer out to measure the sizes. We’re hoping to not have to do that. We’re hoping to stick with the first part.”
There was also talk about uses for chicken manure in the community perhaps in community gardens.
Council will consider the zoning bylaw amendment at its next meeting.