SURVEY INVITES RESIDENTS TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON BACKYARD CHICKENS

​ Will people flock to take a survey and advocate for the possibility of keeping backyard chickens in urban areas? That’s what Town Council wants to know with the launch of a new survey using the Town’s dedicated platform for online engagement, Let's Talk Halton Hills. The Town’s current by-law prohibits residents in urban residential areas from keeping backyard chickens. “Right now, the by-law states that only properties deemed agricultural may keep backyard chickens,” said Mayor Rick Bonnette. “We understand that there is some interest in this issue so I hope no one chickens out from offering an opinion.” If changed, the by-law could allow backyard chickens in the following places: urban residential areas (Acton, Georgetown), hamlets (Glen Williams, Norval) and rural clusters (Ashgrove, Ballinafad, Bannockburn, Crewson’s Corners, Henderson’s Corners, Hornby, Limehouse, Silvercreek and Terra Cotta). It is anticipated that Town staff will bring forward a report to Council in May, detailing the results of the public consultation and recommendations as to whether or not to advance the issue. Should Council direct staff to proceed with permitting backyard chickens in urban areas, additional consultation and public education would follow. The issue of backyard or urban chickens has been considered by numerous municipalities with varying results. Some municipalities chose not to permit chickens in urban residential areas, others have implemented pilot projects while others have permitted hen keeping while imposing a variety of different restrictions.