By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is seeking input from residents on a proposed amendment to its Responsible Animal Ownership By-law, which would permit backyard chickens in rural residential and village residential zones.
The initiative, stemming from a decision made by the council in May, would allow homeowners to keep up to six hens, subject to specific conditions. Roosters would remain prohibited, and residents would need to obtain a permit to participate.
The draft by-law is now open for public review. Residents have two opportunities to provide feedback before the council considers the amendment.
An online survey is available until Sept. 19 through the “Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent” platform at [letstalkchatham-kent.ca/backyard-chickens-by-law](http://letstalkchatham-kent.ca/backyard-chickens-by-law).
Additionally, an in-person public consultation will take place on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Dresden’s Ken Houston Memorial and Agricultural Centre, with the session live-streamed on the municipality’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Feedback gathered from both the survey and the public session will be presented to the council along with the draft by-law later this fall. No deputations will be allowed at the council meeting, as public consultations will have already been held.
In May, the council directed staff to develop a by-law allowing backyard chickens in rural and village residential areas. The proposed regulations would permit residents to keep up to six hens, provided their coops meet setback requirements and are maintained to avoid disturbing neighbors. The coops must be fully enclosed, weatherproof, and regularly cleaned to ensure the hens’ health and sanitation. The by-law would also prohibit the sale of eggs or manure, as well as other commercial activities related to hen keeping.
The draft by-law builds on last year’s community engagement, in which nearly 5,000 residents participated in an online survey. The survey results showed that 68% of respondents supported allowing backyard chickens, with 45% expressing interest in keeping hens themselves. Notably, 80% of participants were from urban areas, while 20% resided in rural regions.
If approved, the new regulations would be implemented as part of a two-year pilot program. During this time, the municipality will assess the program’s impact on the community. If the program is not extended beyond the pilot phase, residents will have six months to remove their hens.
The municipality encourages residents to participate in the ongoing consultation process to help shape the final version of the by-law. The council is expected to review the draft and consider the community’s feedback later this year.
