Backyard Hens February 21 & 27, 2018
Purpose Survey conducted in 2016 74% of participants in favour of allowing backyard hens City conducted a review of the Zoning By-law and Animal Control By-law Three options presented for public feedback
Municipality Comparison Chart Waterloo Kitchener Guelph Norfolk Quinte West Kingston Niagara Falls Vancouver Woolwich County of Brant London Peterborough No- however hens are Backyard Hens Permitted with specific regulations No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes permitted in a dwelling no no no Type of dwelling unit Single, Semi or Town Single Detached only Single and Multi-family zones Minimum Lot size 0.4ha (1.0ac) 12.2m x 30.48m Permit/Registration Process Yes with $50 registration fee Yes Yes Pilot Project Yes Yes 1.2m adjacent to another rear yard, 2.5m adjacent to an Coop setback from rear lot line adjacent property side yard 1.2m 1.2m 7.62m (25ft) Coop setback from side lot line 2.5m 3m 1.2m 4.5m (15ft) 1m Coop setback from adjacent residential dwelling 15m 3m 3m 3m Coop setback from school 15m 7.5m 15m Coop setback from church 15m 7.5m 7.5m Coop size max 3m x 3m, max height 4.5m Min 0.37m2 (4ft2) and 0.92m2 (10ft) enclosed run space per hen Front yard Not permitteed Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Side Yard Yes Not permitted Not permitted Enclosure area Max area 9.2m2 (100ft2) Enclosure height max 2m Enforcement Licensing Yes d Yes Max number of hens 4 4 6 10 4 Minimum age of hens 4 months 4 months 4 months Roosters Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Slaughtering Not permitted Not permitted Sale of Eggs, manure or other products Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Tenants Tenant must obtain permission from owner Owners Owner of hens must reside on property where hens are kept Owner of hens must reside on property where hens are kept Consent from Neighbours Yes Yes
Benefits and Concerns Benefits Locally produced, better tasting eggs Greater ability for individuals to control food sources Better conditions for hens in comparison to industrial farms Pest control as hens can consume weeds and bugs Provides education to children about where food comes from Compost of manure to create fertilizer Reduced energy usage and carbon emissions associated with transporting food Concerns Potential nuisances such as odour from manure and/or food scraps and noise from clucking Potential source of disease including salmonella and in rare cases spread of avian influenza to humans Attraction of predators such as rats, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, skunks, weasels, mice etc. to the hens, eggs and feed Animal health and humane treatment if hens are not properly cared for or stop producing eggs Lack of expertise in current staff complement to evaluate if proper treatment is being maintained Trespass of hens on neighbouring properties Conflict between neighbouring properties household pets such as dogs and cats Housing and/or disposal for abandoned and/or seized hens By-law Enforcement increased responsibility
Option 1 Status quo Backyard Hens only permitted in Rural Residential and Agricultural zoned properties Strengths No concerns regarding chickens and nuisances No impact on by-law enforcement No public health concerns No concern for hen treatment, abandonment or seizure No neighbour disputes Limitations No ability for interested residents to have hens Lose of education experience Higher egg costs for residents who were interested in having hens
Option 2 Permit with Regulations No enforcement unless a complaint is received Strengths Limited involvement for By-law and/or Animal Control staff Accommodates residents interested in having hens with regulations to protect neighbours Limitations Potential nuisance, health, conflict concerns as identified Current staff have no expertise in how to ensure proper health of hens is maintained Additional responsibilities for by-law enforcement staff and/or Animal Control staff if complaints are made Cost to train staff and inspect when complaints are received
Draft Regulations Definition Backyard Hens means the keeping of female chickens in the rear yard
Draft Regulations Property Regulations Minimum lot area of 500m2 Minimum 3m setback from property lines Maximum of 4 hens No roosters Only permitted in rear yard Owner of the hens must reside on the property Permitted in single detached and semi-detached residential zones Property must be fenced
Draft Regulations Coop Regulations Coops must be constructed and maintained: a) to provide protection from weather and be adequately ventilated; b) to exclude rodents and predators c) with floor that is resistant to moisture and mold and retains heat in the cold weather d) with a chicken box sufficient to accommodate all hens; e) with a perch area sufficient to accommodate all hens; and f) with an accessible dust bath area Coops and runs are maintained in a clean condition; Coops and runs are maintained to ensure that smells do not cause a nuisance to the residents of any neighbouring property or any residents of the City; Coop floors are lined with shavings, straw or other appropriate materials to absorb manure and facilitate cleaning; Coops are deep cleaned at least two times yearly including the disinfecting of troughs, perches and nests;
Draft Regulations Care and Maintenance Regulations Feeders and water containers are provided and are cleaned and disinfected regularly; All stored feed is kept in rodent proof containers and secured at all times to prevent rodents and other animals from accessing it; Feeding of hens is done in a manner that minimizes the attraction of rodents and other animals; Manure and droppings are cleaned out daily and stored in a secured container until disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations; Each hen is banded with such band containing current contact information for the hens owner; Hens have access to an enclosed outdoor run area; Deceased hens are disposed of at a livestock disposal facility, through the services of a veterinarian, chicken exchange program or through a facility as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and are disposed of in accordance with all laws; There is no sale of eggs, manure or other products associated with the keeping of hens; No slaughtering or butchering of hens is done on the property; and, Hens are kept in accordance with all other laws including the City s by-laws respecting noise, lot maintenance, property standards, and animals as well as provincial legislation. City of respecting Cambridge Community the keeping Development of animals. Department
Option 3 Registry and one-time inspection fee Regulations for keeping of hens City maintained registry system One-time inspection fee with inspection by by-law enforcement staff
Option 3 Registry and one-time inspection fee Strengths Registry allows the City to know where hens are within the City Accommodates residents interested in having hens with regulations to protect neighbours One-time inspection to ensure facilities comply with regulations Limitations Potential nuisance, health, conflict concerns as identified Current staff have no expertise in how to ensure proper health of hens is maintained Additional responsibilities for by-law enforcement staff Cost to train staff, set up registry system, conduct one-time and complaint based inspections
Next Steps Provide your feedback on each of the options today On-line survey available on February 21 closes March 22 nd at cambridge.ca/backyardhens Formal Public Meeting report - Spring 2018 Recommendation report Summer 2018
Contacts Deanne Friess friessd@cambridge.ca (519) 740-4684 ext4520 Nicole Papke papken@cambridge.ca (519)740-4684 ext4501 Website: cambridge.ca/backyardhens