Two Yorkton residents think collecting eggs from backyard chickens is a good thing, and they appeared before City Council Monday to ask for a Bylaw to allow that to happen.
Tricia Reed said the idea of wanting to raise chickens in the city is a simple one, because they provide a healthy, antibiotic-free, high protein source of eggs.
"There's nothing like going out in the morning collecting perfect eggs for breakfast," she said, adding there is also value in "sharing that experience with my children." She said working with chickens instills responsibility and respect for food in children.
Reed said there is also merit in growing one's own food.
"We are passionate about living with the resources we have been given," she said, adding having chickens creates a connection to one's food source, and fits with a growing effort to consume food produced as locally as possible.
In terms of food Reed said chicken eggs are one of the most efficient ways of creating protein. She said garden and table refuse can be fed to the chickens, which lay the eggs, and the manure becomes a source of nitrogen which can be composted and returned to gardens as fertilizer.
Shanon Hilton told Council allowing chickens within an urban setting is not a new idea. She said cities such as Victoria, Vancouver and Surrey in British Columbia, and Brampton, Niagara Falls and Guelph in Ontario currently allow chickens within their city limits.
The reasons vary, but Hilton said in talking to City officials in Vancouver it is part of the City's greener city initiative.
Hilton said in talking with officials in jurisdictions where chickens are allowed cited the biggest problem arising with allowing the birds is chickens escaping yards because they were allowed free range in backyards, or because coops were not secure.
The solution is a bylaw requiring a properly enclosed coop with a run attached, offered Hilton. She added wings would be required to be clipped, free range would not be allowed and coops would need to be locked.
Hilton said ultimately a good bylaw is needed to address concerns people may have to chickens within the city.
For example, there is a feeling chickens are noisy, admitted Hilton, who added roosters are, but they would be prohibited.
"Hens are no more noisy than dogs, probably less so," said Hilton.
Another issue is the smell of manure, said Hilton, who added proper bedding helps absorb odours, and of course regular coop cleaning is essential.
"Like any pet you have to be responsible owners," she said.
In terms of a bylaw Hilton said they believe one can be designed to meet concerns and still allow chickens to be raised in the city.
The bylaw the two women proposed began by requiring keeping chickens to register with the city, with a maximum of six hens allowed. These chickens would be for egg production for own-use only.
All hens would need to be kept in a coop with an attached run which allows access to a dirt floor.
All refuse would need to be properly composted, said Hilton, or stored in air tight containers.
Reed said they are hoping Council can show "a little bit of courage," and have Yorkton become a leader in the province in allowing backyard chickens.
Councillor Bob Maloney quickly called for the request to be filed, suggesting the City would need to do some investigation with other communities before making a decision.
Coun. Ross Fisher said when he first saw the ideas of chickens on the agenda he was unsure of the idea, but said when "you think about it, why not?"
However, Coun. Les Arnlien was not as supportive, suggesting he has concerns ranging from noise, smell and enforcement of a bylaw.
"I believe there's enough problems with cats and dogs," he said.
