Cluck, cluck … chickens could be coming to some residential properties in Georgian Bluffs.
Township council passed a recommendation during Wednesday’s committee of the whole meeting to amend the zoning by-law to permit backyard poultry as a permitted use on residential properties a half-acre or larger.
Councillors also discussed and agreed on some additional restrictions concerning backyard poultry.
There would be a six hen or pullet maximum per property. Roosters aren’t allowed. Rules would also be drawn up to restrict the use of poultry for food purposes only. The keeping of hens for sale, and home slaughter of them would also be prohibited.
Chicken enclosures would be limited to 10 square metres in size.
Council still needs to formally approve the zoning by-law amendment.
Currently, Georgian Bluffs only permits livestock — including chickens — being kept on agricultural or rural zoned properties.
Coun. Rick Winters wondered about possible issues with smell related to chicken manure storage.
Georgian Bluffs Chief Administrative Officer Niall Lobley says the township’s nuisance by-law includes some fairly broad statements and “certainly smell would be one of those things covered.”
“But, we will double check,” Lobley says.
