Canadian Poultry Magazine

A list of where some Canadian cities stand on backyard chickens

By The Canadian Press   

Features Business & Policy Consumer Issues Business/Policy Canada

May 14, 2016 – The trend of backyard chickens for a farm-to-table egg experience is growing, with the latest business, called Rent The Chicken, opening in Greater Victoria. Here is a list of backyard chicken regulations for some major Canadian cities: 


– The City of Edmonton runs an urban hens pilot project and has 
issued 50 licences. Its Community Services Committee is studying 
potential issues and concerns associated with keeping urban hens and 
will report back to the city next year. 

– Vancouver allows a maximum of four hens per lot, but no 
roosters are permitted. Residents are not allowed to slaughter the 
chickens in the backyard. 

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– Whitehorse residents can have six hens on their urban property 
as long as they apply for a permit, have the hens for personal use 
only and don’t sell the eggs, manure, meat or other chicken 
products. 

– Victoria has no backyard chicken limits, but the numbers of 
chickens must be consistent with the residents’ personal egg use. No 
roosters are allowed. Tips on the city’s website include building a 
decent coop: “Don’t build a chicken coop out of three sheets of 
plywood and a hockey net unless you want to meet an Animal Control 
Officer.” 

– Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto do not allow backyard chickens, 
although bylaw officers in Toronto will only investigate if 
neighbours complain. 

– Halifax has endured numerous backyard chicken debates, but so 
far the city does not permit chickens. 

– In Montreal, some boroughs allow chickens, including in 
Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve where chickens are allowed in pens in 
eight community gardens. 

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. 2016

 


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