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HB NEWS COUNCIL GIVES BACKYARD CHICKENS THE GO-AHEAD MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com It's official — local resi- dents will soon be allowed to raise chickens in their back- an 8-3 vote on Oct. 4, pala Hills council ap- proved the keeping of chick- ens within the urban areas of town, witha four-hen lim- it per lot. Councillors Ann Lawlor, Bob Inglis and Bry- town staff first being asked to investigate the backyard chickens concept in Septem- Since then, local residents have been sur- veyed twice on the topic, with over 1,000 responses be- ing | hei _ for and against i urban areas. The results show that 64 per cent of respondents are in favour of permitting backyard chickens. Around the council ta- ble, the councillors who an Lewis were opposed. support the initiative spoke This makes Halton Hills about how backyard chick- the first en: the op- region ‘to permit backyard portunity to find out more chickens. Town staffexpect about where their food to have a licensing and reg- comes from. istration program in place Councillors Clark Som- the ond q erville and Wendy Farrow- next year (April-June 2022). Reed also pointed out that In the interim, the munici- many people are already pality will freeze enforce- ment on those who already have urban hens. The decision has been a long time coming, with Keeping chickens in their acy ‘we can get some con- trol over it with education and guidelines, then good = Oil & Filter (includes up to 6 litres regular oil.) - Complete top to bottom check over. - Installation of winter tires (already on rims) included. NAPA S Ui Ke) ste) for us," said Farrow-Reed. The councillors opposed hens raised noise disturbances and the potential of attracting coy- otes into residential neigh- bourhoods. "In Ward 4, we are on (the) edge of the ravine. » We have foxes, we h Steve Somenville/Metroland The town's backyard chicken licensing program is expected to be in place by next spring. ager of enforcement servic- es Susie Spry said while that we have raccoons that ‘come into our urban area," said Lawlor. “By adding chick- ens, you attract them even more." A staff report from man- - $5.00 Tim's Card - Windshield Washer Fluid - 12 Pack of Pop oe READERS’ CHOICE 2021 most - ready permit urban hens have relatively low com- plaint numbers on the nui- sance and unwanted wild- life fronts, "it is important for the Town to incorporate a a strong education and regu- = lation strategies to avoid ora mitigate these concerns." x Town staffis planning an an § educational component of 5 the urban chicken licensing Fs program that will teach res- — idents about safe handling Z to mitigate the spread of dis- ease. "We do want to create an online platform for resi- dents with tools, informa: tion and guidelines so they are well informed and pre- 8 z bh 1090120 ‘kepsiny, yt | responsibility," Spry told council. Some of the rules around the backyard chickens be- ing incorporated into the town's responsible pet own- ers bylaw include: + The hens must be kept be set back at least two me- tres from any lot line, and metres from any dwelling on an adjacent lot; + Food must be stored in rodent-proof containers and secured at all times; + Noroosters are allowed. NOW ON! y) onlve Call for an Appointment *Most Vehicles. THERON READERS’ CHOICE 2021 $9995" Synthetic/oil (up)to)6)litres) oe READERS’ CHOICE 2021 ee —— HASSELL AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE