0
We were kind of half joking we should get a couple laying hens and this little episode began to make me wonder. Are you allowed to raise chickens within the city limits of Welland?
Having roosters seems like it would be a bit of trouble what with the noise they make but having a couple of confined hens doesn't seem like it would be too much trouble. I have raised small numbers of chickens and turkeys before so I do have a bit of knowledge about it (Its amazing how strong a dozen 30lb plus turkeys can be when they are a tad hungry and pressing you into a corner....), have asked a couple neighbours with differing opinions on what the law is here in the city so I again ask from those with a bit more knowledge on the bylaws....is it legal?
Now I'm not saying I am going to do this but after looking at a couple of wheeled A-frame coop designs (tractor coops) it just makes me think......
Sory, a bit off topic but still kind of related to the conservation (of dollars and cents) and environmental (smell, noise, disease) issues,
. Too many Wellanders on here not to take advantage of your wisdom and thoughts. 
Ides and opinions are more then welcome.
------------
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/Article....aspx?e=2579246
Clucking for change to urban chicken-raising rules
AGRICULTURE: St. Catharines resident lobbying for backyard chickens
Posted By MONIQUE BEECH STANDARD STAFF
Updated 4 days ago
Urbanite Ian Watson has always dreamed of owning a hobby farm. Now, the St. Catharines man wants to bring the farm to him.
The 44-year-old brewmaster started a Facebook fan page calling on the City of St. Catharines to change its bylaw that regulates the keeping of animals and prohibits raising chickens in areas not zoned for livestock.
Currently, city rules ban backyard birds, but allow chickens to be kept inside residences in urban areas.
Watson, an avid gardener and local food supporter, has started clucking for change. After all, neighbouring Niagara Falls allows backyard chicken coops, as do at least four other Canadian communities.
Why not St. Catharines? Watson asked.
He said he doesn't understand why he can't raise chickens for their eggs while some of his neighbours keep pigeons or have loud, barking dogs in their yards.
"I think it's kind of funny that you can't have a chicken that just does the odd little cluck," said Watson, a beermaker with Niagara's Best Brewery and Pub in Niagara Falls. "We aren't asking for roosters or anything."
Bjorn Christensen, director of environmental health for Niagara's public health unit, said chickens are better suited to rural properties.
Over the years, the public health department has received a few complaints from Niagara Falls residents about foul smelling fowl in city neighbourhoods.
That city allows residents to keep up to 10 chickens in backyards.
"Rearing of chickens is something that, if there's very small numbers and it's done under very ideal conditions, it's not going to pose a health hazard," Christensen said.
"Certainly, they're an animal best suited for more of a rural area. If chicken coops aren't maintained, it can lead to things such as a rodent infestation. There could be odour problems."
Watson said he's done his research and believes as long as coops are regularly cleaned and there's only a few chickens, there's shouldn't be an odour problem.
Watson and his wife, Conni, only want two or three birds to raise for fresh eggs.
Occasionally, Watson gets a few farm-fresh eggs from a Niagara Falls farmer who receives leftover grains from Niagara's Best brewery.
Watson also has a friend in Ridgeville who raises his own birds.
"They taste much better than store-bought ones," Watson said of the eggs.
St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan said backyard birds are an idea worth exploring. In an e-mail to Watson, McMullan advised him to get in touch with his ward councillors to see if they're willing to suggest amending the city's bird bylaw.
McMullan said raising urban chickens seems to be a growing movement as people start to pay more attention to where their food comes from.
"I think more and more, we as municipalities are going to be asked to look at our bylaws and to see whether or not we can accommodate small-scale use in terms of chickens or rabbits," McMullan said.
The mayor said the issue would have to be carefully considered and needs public feedback.
"If it were to be permitted, I don't think there should be negative impacts on neighbouring properties," he said.
"I'm sure council would want to look at it from both sides."
The chicken backyard idea seems to be gaining steam. The issue came up in London, Ont., earlier this month, but council there shot down the idea.
Several chicken lovers in Toronto have been clucking for years to have that city's ban on backyard birds lifted.
More than 80 U.S. cities allow backyard chickens.
To learn more, check out Watson's Facebook fan page called Petition to allow chickens in St. Catharines
- - -
Where are backyardchickens allowed?
1. Niagara Falls
2. Brampton
3. Guelph
4. Victoria
5. Surrey, BC
Source: torontochickens.com
Article ID# 2579246
