In Wednesday night’s virtual meeting of Innisfil Council, Coun. Kenneth Fowler brought forward a motion asking staff to investigate the feasibility of permitting residents to keep up to four backyard hens – but “no roosters” - within urban settlement areas.
Currently, backyard hens and a range of other farm animals are banned from Innisfil’s urban areas by the town’s animal control by-law.
Before the motion came up for debate, councillors heard from resident Neil Thompson, who presented a petition calling for the ban to be lifted.
Thompson told councillors that he has lived in Alcona for six years with his family, including three young daughters.
It was only after the pandemic hit, and local grocery stores ran out of eggs on several occasions, that his 11-year-old daughter looked into backyard hens, both as a source of a secure supply of eggs, and as an educational opportunity.
Thomson provided a number of reasons for supporting backyard chickens – including “sustainability, being able to grow food on your own property,” the fact that hens “eat bugs and ticks,” are quieter than dogs, and offer an “opportunity to learn and have fun.”
“Kids won’t see a classroom until September,” he said. “Some of the unsung heroes of this pandemic are children. For months, we’ve been telling them No.” Backyard hens would not only teach kids about agriculture, but help keep them entertained.
“Surrounding municipalities already have successful backyard hen programs,” he reminded council, noting that four hens are unlikely to create issues of odor or noise. As for the concern that the hens will attract predators, he suggested it’s not a problem if both hens and chicken feed are secured.
Thompson presented a petition with over 400 signatures, opposing the ban on backyard hens.
Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson pointed out that the majority of signatories were not from Innisfil, but from across Ontario, and as far away as British Columbia and the U.K.
Thompson explained that due to COVID-19, the petition was online and had stirred widespread interest.
In fact, of the 410 signatures, only 121 were from Innisfil residents.
“Let’s look at Innisfil first,” said Davidson.
Coun. Donna Orsatti agreed, but noted that the response was “certainly enough to start a conversation.”
The motion was debated later in council, with arguments on both sides.
Fowler spoke in favour, pointing out that a number of municipalities allow hens, with limitations on the number, size of the chicken coop and run, proximity to lot lines and neighbouring homes.
“We can have it reasonably safe and sanitary,” the councillor said, acknowledging that the issue has been polarizing.
Coun. Bill Van Berkel pointed out that at one time, Innisfil did permit chickens in backyards. “We got tons and tons of complaints,” he said.
Van Berkel urged staff to talk with agricultural experts, and expressed a concern that backyard hens could provide a new vector for the spread of poultry diseases like Avian flu, posing a threat to the large commercial chicken farms in the area.
“We need to think back why we put that by-law in place in the first place,” he said.
Coun. Kevin Eisses went into more detail. “A lot of farmers, they agree with all the things Mr. Thompson said at the beginning… but as I got into it a little further, there are definitely risks to backyard hens,” he said.
Eisses noted that 96 percent of Ontario eggs were produced by approximately 500 commercial egg farmers, only four percent by small farms with 100 chickens or less, “for home consumption and farmgate sales.”
Risks include not only Avian flu, carried by migratory birds - which, if found on a farm will result in the elimination of all chickens within a 10 km. area of the outbreak – but also ILT, or Infectious Laryngo-Tracheitis, he told council.
Both are reportable diseases in chickens, both require quarantine and euthanization of birds. “There’s a huge degree of biosecurity that happens,” Eisses said.
And while Avian flu outbreaks are relatively rare, ILT is common. An outbreak in Halton Region just two weeks ago “was traced to backyard flocks,” he noted. “These are the risks that commercial farmers are concerned about.”
Eisses, who is a farmer, noted, “Our food system is incredibly safe,” but as for backyard hens, “the risks, for myself, are too large and I feel that even spending staff time on this at this time – we’re aware of what viruses can do right now, more than at any other time.”
Mayor Lynn Dollin pointed out that approval of the motion on the floor wouldn’t mean the immediate lifting of the ban.
“This motion says that we investigate it,” she said – requiring public consultation, and extensive research by staff into the pros and cons. “All of that during a pandemic will lengthen the time that will take. This is not putting chickens in your yard next week.”
Chief Administrative Officer Jason Reynar agreed. With the COVID-19 emergency situation still ongoing, “this would not be at the top of our priorities,” Reynar said, warning it could be “several months” before a report comes back to Council.
“I think the educational piece is really quite important for young children,” said Coun. Alex Waters, supporting limited permission for backyard hens. “I think it’s worthwhile taking a look at this… I think there is some opportunity to have a good, thorough investigation into this, and have a good report – and if it’s appropriate to take a look at amending the by-law.”
It was suggested that the review would include a look at the risk that Avian flu actually presents to commercial farming in Innisfil – and the potential for hen licencing fees.
“The joys of living in a half rural, half urban municipality,” Mayor Dollin said of the debate, as she called for the vote.
A majority of Innisfil Council voted in favour of asking staff to look into backyard hens.
Dollin warned again, “This is not going to be the top thing on our list. It’s going to be several months,” before the report comes back to council.
In the interim, community development standards branch officers will continue to enforce the existing ban on backyard hens.
Noted Barrie Vickers, Innisfil Chief Building Official, “Staff was not directed to deviate from the existing by-law last night,” only to undertake a comprehensive review and consultation on the issue.
By-law enforcement will continue to follow up on complaints, and lay charges when and where appropriate.
“CDSB Staff will work with residents to ensure compliance with the established community standards. The existing by-law was not in any way suspended at last night’s council meeting,” Vickers noted.
