Front Page Chickens
Gordon World
Chickens in limbo
Politicians put off decision on keeping backyard hens in the city until the summer
Janaya Fuller-Evans, Burnaby Now
Published: Wednesday, March 17, 2010Burnaby's city council will not look at legalizing backyard hens until this summer, at the very earliest.
Gordon World, who had addressed council last spring, wanted to see whether progress had been made on a city staff report on backyard chickens.
He brought the issue of poultry in the city forward at Monday's council meeting.
"It's something I'm passionate about," said World prior to the meeting. "I'm just coming to push the issue along."
World owns an electrical vehicle retail business called Ecodrive and is interested in environmental initiatives, such as local food production.
World addressed the meeting, reminding councillors of their commitment to examine the issue last year.
"Since I was here, the City of Vancouver has come on board, in principle," World said. "The City of Nanaimo has gone onside, on the keeping of hens."
Coun. Colleen Jordan responded that staff were preparing a report for the summer of this year.
Jordan asked World what could be done to ensure the chickens are bought ethically, referring to a letter from the City of Richmond regarding banning the sale of rabbits as pets.
"It's definitely an issue to be cognizant of," World said. "The same issues and concerns apply to any animal."
According to World, chickens are bought at auction in Abbotsford or from breeders in other municipalities such as Langley.
Mayor Derek Corrigan said staff has been instructed to deal with issues by priority and backyard hens are low on the list at this point.
"I have to be honest about this, planning staff has been incredibly busy," Corrigan said, adding that council has been asked to prioritize things that must be done immediately.
Owning backyard hens is not illegal in Burnaby but the bylaws surrounding it are vague.
Poultry are not allowed to be at large and must be in an enclosed area, separate from any dwellings.
Vancouver's newly proposed guidelines include specific details about the keeping and care of birds in the city, including ensuring enclosures are more than 30 feet from dwellings and more than 60 feet from the front property line.
A maximum of four hens is allowed, and the birds must be registered with the city. Hens are for personal use only.
Pest control, sanitation, biosecurity and slaughter issues are also addressed.
Vancouver's city council has not yet approved the guidelines.
World said he is optimistic that Burnaby city council will explore the idea of regulating and legalizing backyard hens in the near future.
"I'm hopeful that the city will continue to study the issue and extrapolate from models of cities where backyard chickens have been legalized," he said.
"We don't have to reinvent the wheel."