Don't chicken out on allowing backyard hens in Aurora, resident urges

Not walking on eggshells, councillor will call for pilot project at February meeting

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 2, 2021
Lisa Queen

Allowing Aurora residents to keep egg-laying chickens in their backyards doesn’t have to ruffle any feathers, Darryl Moore says.

People may squawk when they first hear the idea, but if the hens are well cared for, they don’t cause health concerns or create a nuisance and properly fortified coops keep out potential predators, he said.

Any concerns can be covered through new regulations and existing nuisance bylaws, Moore said.

Other communities such as Newmarket, Toronto, New York, Chicago and Indianapolis allow the practice.

Now, Moore has hatched a plan urging Aurora politicians not to chicken out on the idea.

At a Jan. 12 council meeting, he encouraged councillors to allow residents to keep egg-laying chickens for personal use.

People would not be allowed to sell the eggs or keep chickens to slaughter for meat. Roosters would not be permitted.

Chickens are treated poorly in factory farms and home hens produce better eggs, Moore said.

Three years ago, Egg Farmers of Canada and the National Farm Animal Care Council announced a revised code of practice for the care and handling of farm animals.

“Canada’s more than 1,000 egg farmers are deeply committed to and strive for continuous improvements when it comes to the care and well-being of their hens,” Roger Pelissero, chair of Egg Farmers of Canada, said in a statement at the time.

Coun. Rachel Gilliland isn’t walking on eggshells, saying there seems be an “appetite” for backyard hens in Aurora.

She will introduce a motion at council in February asking the town to launch a pilot project.

“Raising chickens for the purpose of laying eggs is something people can do in a safe way that is healthy for the hens, will produce sustainable organic, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) food and offers an educational and therapeutic value for kids and adults,” she said.

“While some people may see them as a nuisance, it has been proven to work in other municipalities, where none of the so-called predicted challenges have materialized with the right rules in place.”

However, Coun. Harold Kim argued that while keeping backyard hens can be supported by science, he feels the idea would be a hard sell in Aurora and he won’t support it.

At the same time, he called Moore an “early adopter” and pointed out 20 years ago, people thought cellphones were impractical, so the time for backyard chickens could come if residents are convinced.

Moore feels many residents are already in favour of the idea, pointing to feedback he’s received on the Nextdoor neighbourhood network app.

“It’s a good idea if roosters are not allowed. Chickens wouldn’t be a problem. As long as the pens are maintained, I don’t see a problem,” one person posted.

Some people argued dogs produce more noise and odours than chickens.

Others are opposed.

“Not a fan. They belong on a farm,” one person posted.

Some people worry about chickens attracting coyotes, others about health risks.

Newmarket has allowed backyard hens since 2017. There are currently seven residents with chickens and the town hasn’t received any complaints.

Coun. Victor Woodhouse feels urban agriculture, including backyard hens, provides an important connection to our food sources.

“With the pandemic, we have become much more aware of sustainable local sources for food and as well as many other items,” he added.

“Many residents and council often think of all the possible problems and that simply has not been the case. The decision to allow them, has allowed some to enjoy them and have fresh eggs as well, without any problems coming home to roost.”

Not only does Moore’s family eat a lot of eggs at home, he said taking home-laid eggs on summer canoe trips is much easier than bringing store-bought ones.

Unlike some countries, Canada only allows washed and refrigerated eggs to be sold in stores, he said.

But if the protective film is not washed off, eggs can remain fresh unrefrigerated for about a month, Moore said.