FAQs
- Residing on a legal Non-Urban Residential property in a single detached dwelling. The draft regulations are expected to exclude multi-residential properties, including apartments, townhouses, common element condominiums, and properties with additional residential units (ARUs).
- Minimum lot size stipulations.
- Locational requirements, such as setbacks from neighbouring properties and maximum size of the chicken enclosures.
- Limiting the location of the coop to the rear yard of the property with a minimum setback from property lot lines and dwellings.
What will be the intent of the proposed “Backyard Hen By-Law”?
If approved by Council, the proposed “Backyard Hen By-Law” will set out regulations for the keeping of chickens, including provisions for animal health and welfare, that property owners must follow in the Non-Urban Residential zones of the County of Brant. Non – Urban Residential zones include Suburban Residential (SR), Residential Hamlets and Villages (RH), and Rural Residential (RR).
Draft regulations will be available for review prior to proceeding to the Committee for consideration in early 2025.
Do chickens generate a lot of noise?
The County of Brant Noise By-Law 108-22 acknowledges that while daily noise exposure occurs exposure to unusual, unnecessary or excessive noise which unreasonably degrades the quality and tranquility or causes a nuisance should be prohibited, especially in residential areas. By-Law 108-22 is intended to prohibit and regulate nuisance noises likely to disrupt or affect the general health and wellbeing of residents. The “…persistent barking, calling or whining or other persistent Noise making by any domestic pet, or any other animal kept or used for any purpose other than agriculture…” is prohibited and would apply to chickens in Non- Urban Residential zones. Noise exemptions under By-Law 108-22 relating to agriculture and normal farm practices only apply to Agricultural (A) zones.
To assist in mitigating potential nuisance and enforcement complaints relating to noise, setbacks from chicken enclosures are suggested to provide a buffer between chicken enclosures and other properties. It is also suggested that chickens be kept in coops from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to help reduce potential noise impacts and protect against predators. Unlike chickens, crowing roosters can generate more noise. To avoid noise nuisance and mitigate complaints, roosters are suggested to be prohibited within the Non-Urban Residential zones of the County. These limitations and prohibitions are suggested to form part of future regulations. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) also recommends that roosters be avoided in densely populated areas.
Do chickens attract unwanted pests and animals?
According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) poultry are often a prey species for foxes, skunks, raccoons, cats, dogs, and rats, so proper enclosures will be required. Rodents may also be attracted to food and water. Proper animal care and maintenance of enclosures helps minimize unwanted pests. However, unmaintained chicken enclosures (ex. Coops and runs) can attract unwanted animals, including rodents. Consideration of regulations to help support proper animal health and welfare, enclosure, and property maintenance, as well as protection against pests and predators will form part of this project.
Will anyone be able to keep chickens?
No. Only those who meet regulations developed as part of this project, pay a fee, and are municipally licensed will be permitted to legally keep chickens in Non-Urban Residential zones of the County of Brant.
Suggested regulations may include:
Owners will also be required to meet requirements around standards of care, pest control and waste management. Additional requirements such as property inspections may also be required prior to chickens being legally permitted on a residential property.
Is a license required to keep chickens and what would the process be?
Through the discussions on potential regulations, a licensing system is proposed. A municipal licensing program would require interested residents to apply and pay an initial license fee. Successful applicants would need to meet regulatory requirements and require an inspection of the yard and any chicken enclosure on the applicant’s property. Municipal licensing programs help track legal chickens in Non-Urban Residential zones, enforce illegal instance or violations, and help trace disease and illness should an outbreak occur.
How many chickens would a resident be allowed to keep?
It is suggested that a maximum of up to 4 hens per property be permitted within the residential areas of the County of Brant, subject to regulatory limitations and prohibitions. Chickens would also need to be four months or older in age to ensure they are hens, not roosters.
Will the sale of excess eggs be allowed?
To alleviate food safety risks, help ensure proper biosecurity and mitigate public health risks the sale of chicken products in Non-Urban Residential zones including eggs, meat, and manure, is suggested to be prohibited.
Should chickens be allowed in the house?
Bringing a chicken into your house significantly increases risks of contamination, infection, transmission, and spread of bird born disease and illnesses. Diseases and illnesses born in birds may be easily transmitted to other domestic household pets as well as humans. It is suggested that chickens if permitted in Non-Urban Residential zones of the County of Brant be kept within an enclosed area, located in the rear yard of a property, in accordance with regulations.
What is the lifespan of a chicken?
Chickens can live up to 6-8 years, depending on the species, and most flocks will produce eggs for 3-4 years, depending on proper animal care. To alleviate contraventions of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7., help ensure proper biosecurity, and mitigate public health risks the slaughtering and disposal of chickens (contaminated, diseased or ill birds or flocks, or deadstock) in Non-Urban Residential zones is suggested to be prohibited.
What about cleanliness issues, how will the County ensure chicken enclosures (ex. Coops and runs) are kept clean?
Chickens are quite messy when it comes to the amount of manure produced. A single chicken can produce upwards of 10lbs (4.5kg) of manure each month. Chicken owners can put down straw, or diatomaceous earth as temporary solutions but will ultimately need to be prepared to clean out the manure frequently to keep enclosures and yards in an acceptable state.
Regulations will consider biosecurity measures recommended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s “Basic Biosecurity Principles for Poultry” and “Biosecurity for small flock and pet bird owners” as amended from time to time. The proposed regulations further require owners to maintain enclosures in clean and sanitary conditions and be kept free of obnoxious odours, substances, and vermin.
Would the regulations apply to all properties within the municipal boundary or only certain residential zones?
Residents interested in owning chickens ethically and safely may take a course by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), to better understand whether they are prepared to care for chickens prior to incurring further costs. OMAFA currently approves a course hosted by the Poultry Industry Council “Raising Backyard Chickens”. Through the process of drafting regulations, the Committee may also direct Staff to create a regulation in which residents are required to complete an educational course, approved by OMAFA, similarly to other municipal approaches. The regulations will also have some standards of care.
How will people humanely dispose of sick or old chickens?
Owners are required to seek professional services to deal with a sick or old chickens such as a veterinarian or a mobile abattoir (where available). In accordance with the Animal Health Act, 2009, S.O. 2009, c. 31, Section 6.1 of the Communicable Diseases Regulation (O. Reg. 557), and Communicable Diseases – General (O. Reg. 501/17) owners must notify authorities or a veterinarian, and veterinarians must notify the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) immediately if a bird/flock is suspected to be ill/infected. To alleviate contraventions of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7., help ensure proper biosecurity, and mitigate public health risks the slaughtering and disposal of chickens (contaminated, diseased or ill birds or flocks, or deadstock) in Non-Urban Residential zones is suggested to be prohibited.
How will regulations ensure chickens are ethically raised?
Residents interested in owning chickens ethically and safely may take a course by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), to better understand whether they are prepared to care for chickens prior to incurring further costs. OMAFRA currently approves a course housed by the Poultry Industry Council “Raising Backyard Chickens”. Through the process of drafting regulations, the Committee may also direct Staff to create a regulation in which residents are required to complete an educational course, approved by OMAFRA, similarly to other municipal approaches. The regulations will also have some standards of care.
Is raising chickens cheaper than buying eggs?
Despite today’s inflated prices, raising your own flock of egg-laying hens may not be cheaper than buying eggs at the store. While keeping chickens may allow for local, sustainable food systems that may not be offered through eggs at a traditional grocery store, these animals also require a level of care similar to other domestic animals that many residents may not be fully aware. To help reduce transmission and outbreaks of disease and bird born illnesses, mitigate public health risks, maintain proper biosecurity measures, and ensure proper animal health and welfare it is suggested that regulations require chickens in Non-Urban Residential zones to receive veterinary checks and care.