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What the cluck? McDougall resident asked to relocate backyard chickens

'There are about a dozen other families in the municipality who have  chickens, according to Hill, and she said she had discussions with her  immediate neighbours regarding her coop and there was no issue'
chicken
The Wilkinson chicken coop is tucked neatly into their backyard. Wilkinson family photo

Lisa Hill made the decision to raise chickens in her family’s backyard after COVID-19 hit Canada.

On Oct. 17, following a complaint, she was told by a McDougall bylaw officer that she had 30 days to relocate the birds. McDougall is west of Sundridge.

“I have four chickens and had one rooster,” said Hill. “He was only here temporarily as I was looking for a new home for him. I believe the  complaint stemmed from him; however, I will never know.”

There are about a dozen other families in the municipality who have chickens, according to Hill, and she said she had discussions with her immediate neighbours regarding her coop and there was no issue.

“My boys were insanely devastated,” said Hill, adding that it was unfortunate that the member of the community who complained didn’t come and speak to her first before calling the municipality.

Living in the Taylor Subdivision in McDougall, Hill said she considers her property to be rural residential which is why she thought it would be fine to build a backyard coop and she purchased the baby chicks from a local farm.

“I thought it would be an amazing learning experience for us all and we have the perfect yard space for it,” she said. “Watching them grow  was such a neat experience for my children.”

The benefits of having chickens are endless, according to Hill.

“It has shown my boys great responsibility and if we take good care of the chickens, feed and water them we get yummy eggs – eggs that are handled with care – to eat,” she said.

It's also been an issue in North Bay.

See: Meet North Bay's backyard chicken outlaws

The West Parry Sound District is no stranger to backyard chickens.  Amelia Wilkinson said that her family got their chickens in April as  “day olds” and raised them in the house to get them used to people while they built the coop.

“I connected with bylaw after reading the bylaws which weren’t clear on chickens,” said Wilkinson. “I also connected with my neighbours to  see what they thought/how they felt.”

“If you are a responsible chicken owner there is no reason not to have them in town.”

For those looking to begin the journey into sustainable living,  backyard chickens are an excellent way to start, according to Wilkinson.

“They create great fertilizer for your garden. Usually chickens and growing your own food go hand-in-hand,” she said. “They have a very small carbon footprint in smaller numbers and the obvious benefit – they  lay eggs.”

“I feel like there is no reason not to have them if you are a  responsible pet owner,” she said. “… Do your homework to keep them happy  and safe.”

For Hill, rehoming her chickens is like losing members of her family.

“It may sound silly to some, but they are a part of our family now,”  she said. “I am hopeful McDougall will revise its bylaws, to allow  backyard chickens”

“So many other communities have already made these changes many years ago. It’s time for us to follow suit.”

Sarah Cooke is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Parry Sound North Star. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.