Post on 04-Jun-2020
Backyard Hens
February 21 & 27, 2018
• 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
Purpose
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Municipality Comparison Chart Waterloo Kitchener Guelph Norfolk Quinte West Kingston Niagara Falls Vancouver Woolwich
County of Brant London Peterborough
Backyard Hens Permitted with specific regulations No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
No- however hens are 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
Coop setback from rear lot line
1.2m adjacent to another rear yard, 2.5m adjacent to an 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
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Benefits Concerns
Locally produced, better tasting eggs Potential nuisances such as odour from manure and/or food scraps and noise from clucking
Greater ability for individuals to control food sources
Potential source of disease including salmonella and in rare cases spread of avian influenza to humans
Better conditions for hens in comparison to industrial farms
Attraction of predators such as rats, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, skunks, weasels, mice etc. to the hens, eggs and feed
Pest control as hens can consume weeds and bugs
Animal health and humane treatment if hens are not properly cared for or stop producing eggs
Provides education to children about where food comes from
Lack of expertise in current staff complement to evaluate if proper treatment is being maintained
Compost of manure to create fertilizer Trespass of hens on neighbouring properties
Reduced energy usage and carbon emissions associated with transporting food
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
Backyard Hens only permitted in Rural Residential and Agricultural zoned properties
Option 1 – Status quo
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Strengths Limitations No concerns regarding chickens and nuisances
No ability for interested residents to have hens
No impact on by-law enforcement Lose of education experience No public health concerns Higher egg costs for residents who
were interested in having hens No concern for hen treatment, abandonment or seizure No neighbour disputes
No enforcement unless a complaint is received
Option 2 – Permit with Regulations
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Strengths Limitations Limited involvement for By-law and/or Animal Control staff
Potential nuisance, health, conflict concerns as identified
Accommodates residents interested in having hens with regulations to protect neighbours
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
Definition Backyard Hens – means the keeping of female chickens in
the rear yard
Draft Regulations
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
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
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
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
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
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. respecting the keeping of animals.
Draft Regulations
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
• 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
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Option 3 – Registry and one-time inspection fee
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Strengths Limitations Registry allows the City to know where hens are within the City
Potential nuisance, health, conflict concerns as identified
Accommodates residents interested in having hens with regulations to protect neighbours
Current staff have no expertise in how to ensure proper health of hens is maintained
One-time inspection to ensure facilities comply with regulations
Additional responsibilities for by-law enforcement staff Cost to train staff, set up registry system, conduct one-time and complaint based inspections
Next Steps
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
• Provide your feedback on each of the options today
• On-line survey available on February 21 closes March 22nd at cambridge.ca/backyardhens
• Formal Public Meeting report - Spring 2018 • Recommendation report – Summer 2018
Contacts
City of Cambridge Community Development Department
Deanne Friess friessd@cambridge.ca (519) 740-4684 ext4520
Nicole Papke papken@cambridge.ca (519)740-4684 ext4501
Website: cambridge.ca/backyardhens