THUNDER BAY – There used to be a time when backyard chicken coops were commonplace in urban areas across the city.
Now there is a movement growing to once again allow residents to legally keep chickens in their yards.
An open house was hosted by the Thunder Bay Food Strategy at the CLE Heritage building on Wednesday to hear community response and answer questions about bringing a proposal to city council to change the existing bylaws.
Food strategy coordinator Kendal Donahue said this is the next step in a push for people to become more involved in the production and acquisition of their food.
“In the 1950s there was this gradual pushing out of agriculture. As we developed suburban lots agriculture became something that just people in rural areas did but this was something that was very much central to cities as well,” she said.
“I think what we’re seeing over time is we’re starting to bring a bit of it back.”
The proposal is mostly looking at egg laying chickens, though organizers are also listening to input on allowing people to keep chickens for meat.
About 150 people, including at least six members of city council, were in attendance through the first hour of the scheduled three-hour meeting.
Organizers were most often faced with questions about the impacts of allowing backyard chickens.
“Mainly people are interested in how this is going to affect them and whether they’re going to have a neighbour with chickens next door and if that’s going to be loud or smelly,” Donahue said. “We’re engaging people in conversation right now and trying to unpack some of that and really do a bit of myth busting as well.”
Many of the people present at the open house are in favour with legalizing backyard chickens, with several noting they’re aware it’s a practice that is still happening despite the bylaws.
Rob Walsh brought his kids to the open house and said allowing backyard chickens would play a big role in providing education about the origins of food.
“I think it’s important they know and a lot of society has become disconnected with how our food actually gets on our plate,” he said.
“This is a small way of closing that gap but six chickens in somebody’s backyard would likely supply more eggs than anybody would likely need.”
Ed Prinselaar said he remembers when people would keep chickens in their yard and is in favour of allowing it again, on one condition.
“As long as people are caring for the animals they’re keeping. It’s the same thing with dogs. I have no problem with dogs as long as they’re being looked after,” he said. “If they’re not being looked after it can be a problem.”
The food strategy is expected to present their findings to city council later this month.
