Aaron Sloan, Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing attended the meeting to make a verbal presentation to discuss plans for a draft report to Council and receive feedback regarding an option to allow backyard chickens in residential areas of the municipality.
The ADAC members were concerned that the by-law amendment would serve to regulate agricultural properties and farming practices. Staff advised the ADAC members that the current Animal Control By-law offers a number of exemptions for agricultural properties and permitting backyard chickens will be limited to residential properties. Large agricultural poultry operations will not to be regulated by this by-law. The members expressed some concerns regarding health and safety with a mind to cross contamination of nearby agricultural flocks, requiring an active veterinary-client relationship for the health of the birds, and that the National Poultry Code of Practice should be applied as closely as possible within the backyard setting. The pilot program could require completion of available education and training programs for applicants seeking approval for backyard chickens. They suggest that there be a backyard chicken limit of 4 hens and no roosters, and that coop standards be implemented such that the chickens are not permitted to be free-range and that runs be covered to prevent contact with wild birds. Distance from the chicken coop to residences should be considered as was noted in the previous Lindsay By-Law. Source water protection is a concern for properties within well-head protection zones and surface-water intake areas, so both manure management and disposal as well as deadstock disposal must be managed on a timely and routine basis and any compliance requirements be met. It was noted that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency considers therapy chickens, ducks, etc. to be high risk and are not supportive of this use, and as such by-law amendments should not result in permitting poultry as pets. Restricting the use of the meat and eggs to personal use by only the residents of the property is imperative as there is no intent to allow for a business or barter system to be developed with the products. Staff confirmed that these items including minimum distance separation (MDS) are items that are being considered in the animal by-law amendment.
In addition, guests Jenna Stephens and Keith Taylor from the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority advised that Source Water Protection is being considered in relation to the manure from backyard chickens being a potential significant drinking water threat. They reviewed current regulations surrounding surface water intake and well-head protection zones and identified considerations the Source Water Protection Committee is reviewing. There would be an opportunity to review proposed changes if they move forward at a future time.