In 2013 Toronto decided to close the door on backyard coups, but this past Tuesday council decided to approve a pilot project that allows for residents in the following wards to have four chickens in their backyard:
- Ward 5 (Etobicoke-Lakeshore)
- Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park)
- Ward 21 (St. Paul's)
- Ward 32 (Beaches-East York)
The council voted 23-14 to remove chickens from the list of the city's prohibited animals.
There are other conditions that come along with this proposed change, such as:
- Chickens are not allowed in apartment buildings, condos, or properties without sufficient outdoor space
- Eggs from hens cannot be sold
- Roosters are not allowed in the henhouse
The pilot will begin by the end of October, will operate for three years and will be reviewed after 18 months.
This decision has also brought a lot of people who disapprove to speak up. Those against have brought up concerns such as chickens being a health risk (Salmonella), that they will attract flies, mice, rats, skunks, raccoons, and coyotes.
Some residents are looking forward to the pilot project, and have already been researching where they are able to purchase a chicken for their backyard.
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