Did you know that you can keep chickens in the City of Brantford?
Have you always had a dream of waking up and strolling into your yard to gather fresh eggs and vegetables for your morning breakfast? That dream may feel unrealistic if you're living within a city, but you're in luck because Brantford, Ontario actually allows homeowners to keep their own flock of chickens in their backyard. Of course, you need to follow certain rules...
To Own Chickens You Must:
- Be a registered member in good standing with an organization approved by the City of Brantford
- The chickens must be raised for exhibition at a bona fide agricultural exposition
- The approved organizations are to submit, annually, to the City of Brantford, Clerk’s Department, a current membership list indicating the names and addresses for those members residing within the City of Brantford.
- New member- ship information for those members residing within the City of Brantford prior to establishing any coop, pens or other such structures for the keeping of chickens
- That a review of the Article 10 of Chapter 206 of the City of Brantford Municipal Code be conducted on a bi-annual basis
Before making the decision to build a coop in your backyard to house your feathered friends, here are some benefits:
1. You'll be able to have your own organic fresh eggs and meat. Getting fresh eggs from your flock will take a bit of time to master, but with patience you'll be able to gather eggs frequently from your backyard.
2. Extra cash! If you're showing your chickens or selling animal products, owning chickens can serve as an extra form of income. There are specific regulations and laws surrounding the sale of eggs in Ontario, but if you would like to learn more - click here!
3. Natural Fertilizer for your lawn - I think this one explains itself.
4. Chickens can be a quiet and friendly family pet! Yes, chickens do make some noises, but they're relatively quiet and perfectly acceptable to keep in your Brantford backyard. Just be careful with roosters - unless you want a sunrise alarm clock for the whole neighbourhood.
5. Chickens can be a great way to educate and entertain your children! Learning to care for chickens could be a great way to provide necessary learning skills and develop small responsibilities.
6. They're an excellent introduction to sustainable living. Owning chickens makes you value the effort farmers and workers put into their animals and bringing the products to your table. Also, there are a variety of environmental and ethical benefits revolving around having your own flock. The savings alone for transportation and packaging are just a few of the ways they help the environment. Furthermore, you get to choose how you care for and love your animals which can play a big impact in the quality and life of your chickens.
7. Owning chickens is a relatively inexpensive investment. Yes, there will be costs for food, building a coop, and regular health checks, but when compared to the amount of money you can save on the cost of eggs and meat, it's easier to see the financial benefits.
9. Raising your own chickens is a low maintenance effort! Chickens will require that you feed them and give them water but do not require as much maintenance from owner when compared to dog or other household pets. You can leave them for more extended periods of time as long as they have the food, water, and protection that they need.
10. Lastly, chickens are good for pest control as they're natural scavengers. They peck around for pests in your lawn and have been known to protect us from ticks which can be linked to Lyme Disease.
Article 10 CHICKENS - KEEPING 206.10.1Permitted - registered member - recognized group Section 206.4.2 shall not apply to prevent the keeping, harbouring, or possession of any number of male or female chickens by any person on any property within the City of Brantford if the person keeping, harbouring, or possessing the chickens is a registered member in good standing of the Brant County Pigeon, Poultry, and Pet Stock Association Inc.; or any other organization as may be approved by the City, and the chickens are being raised for exhibition at a bona fide agricultural exposition. By-law 21-2012, 21 February, 2012. 206.10.2Repealed: By-law 200-2005, 12 December, 2005 206.10.3 Club/association activities (a) The organizations referred to in Section 206.10.1 are to submit, annually, to the City of Brantford, Clerk’s Department, a current membership list indicating the names and addresses for those members residing within the City of Brantford. DOGS – OTHER ANIMALS Brantford 206.19 (b) The organizations referred to in Section 206.10.1 are to submit, annually, to the City of Brantford, Clerk’s Department, on a bi-annual basis, a report on membership activities relative to bona fide shows, races or other competitions. Members are required to participate in a minimum of one such activity within a two year period. (c) The organizations referred to in Section 206.10.1 are to submit to the City of Brantford, Clerk’s Department new member- ship information for those members residing within the City of Brantford prior to establishing any coop, pens or other such structures for the keeping of chickens. (d) That a review of the Article 10 of Chapter 206 of the City of Brantford Municipal Code be conducted on a bi-annual basis. (e) Failure to comply with the conditions and terms of this Chapter may result in immediate prohibition of the activities per- mitted under Article 10. By-law 21-2012, 21 February, 2012.
From The City of Brantford Bylaws Chapter 206 DOGS - OTHER ANIMALS