GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Chickens and other fowl might soon be permitted on small agricultural and rural lots in the township.
After months of deliberation, Guelph/Eramosa councillors recommended staff investigate how to permit the keeping of chickens on agricultural and rural residential lots of at least one acre during a council meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Defined as livestock, hens are currently only permitted on agriculturally zoned properties two acres or larger in Guelph/Eramosa.
"At the end of the day (what matters) is the impact on the community," said Mayor Chris White, during the meeting. "So it seems reasonable to allow chickens on one acre in the agricultural zone and rural residential...(but) these are live animals. We have an obligation to ensure that their health is protected."
White said the main concerns related to the bylaw are "the few bad apples" who can't be relied on to be good chicken owners and the potential for sickness.
But Coun. Corey Woods wanted to know why only chickens and not other fowl like turkeys would be investigated under the proposed bylaw changes.
"If somebody had a couple of fancy pigeons and they didn't get let out, it kinda falls into that (category)," said Woods, during the meeting. "If (the birds) are well cared for in a coop out back and they're not bothering the neighbours by pooping on everybody's car...why do I care provided they're not flying around."
Staff said they're mainly focused on chickens but will investigate other fowl like turkeys, pigeons and ducks during the bylaw review process.
The proposed regulations may change based on the livestock reviewed.
Three of seven municipalities in the county currently allow backyard hens: Centre Wellington, Minto, and Erin.
Centre Wellington and Erin are the only municipalities that allow keeping pigeons on non-agricultural properties.
Wellington North, Puslinch, and Mapleton do not currently permit backyard hens.
A public meeting will be scheduled to discuss the bylaw once drafted.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
