The issue of backyard chickens in all of Chatham-Kent could lay an egg if Chatham-Kent Public Health and others have their way.
A staff report and positive results of a recent public survey go before council Monday evening, but CK Public Health, the Kent Federation of Agriculture, and the Egg Farmers of Ontario are all critical of keeping chickens in backyards.
The survey was conducted three months ago and had almost 5,000 responses. Results showed 68.4 per cent of the participants are in favour of backyard chickens, but only 45 per cent were interested in having chickens themselves.
Chatham-Kent Public Health does not endorse backyard chickens because of the elevated risk of transmission of infectious diseases posed by the birds in urban settings.
The public health unit also said backyard chickens would not address community food security and food insecurity because they are not accessible to all. CK public health officials said only households with adequate income can keep chickens in the backyard because it takes money to start a backyard flock and maintain it, adding that not all residents have a suitable backyard to raise chickens.
The Kent Federation of Agriculture opposes backyard chickens in Chatham-Kent because it hurts egg farmers and chicken farmers and because avian influenza poses "a very real risk" to our food supply.
"It has been proven that contamination of commercial flocks originates in urban areas. When avian flu is detected in a commercial flock, that flock must be euthanized, the facilities thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and a withdrawal period must be observed. The result is crippling to that farmer - the financial, mental and emotional stress that accompanies this situation can be devastating," wrote President of the Kent Federation of Agriculture Brad Snobelen in a letter to council. "Avian influenza has already been found – in fact, the first detection in Ontario in 2023 was in a backyard flock located right here in Chatham-Kent. Commercial farmers need help from the council to control this outbreak and help protect the food supply for all Ontarians."
The Egg Farmers of Ontario said raising hens requires nutritionally balanced feed, clean water, protection from predators, and adequate housing to protect them against inclement weather.
"It requires adaptations to the typical back yard, a daily time commitment to caring for the hens 365 days a year, a lot of preparation and a great deal of expertise," said the egg farmers in a letter. "Careful consideration needs to be given to any plans put in place to ensure food safety regulations are followed and disease transmission risks are mitigated to protect all residents. Hen welfare also needs to be top priority to ensure hens have a safe, temperature-controlled environment, with access to proper fed and fresh water.”
The municipality said deputations regarding backyard chickens won't be allowed at Monday night's council meeting because deputations were already allowed at a public meeting held June 29, 2023 to review the information report going before council and address the issue.
Chickens are already permitted on agricultural-zoned properties across Chatham-Kent.
The issue of raising backyard chickens in residential areas of the municipality has been defeated multiple times in the past.