The Urban Chicken Issue:
I have been to one meeting and plan to write some comments to the local newspapers regarding this issue.
I should start off that as someone who grew up responsible for the farm's chickens I know alot about the requirements/issues and I do not support the urban chicken initiative.
I appreciate that many urban chicken owners would be responsible and sensitive to their neighbours’ but some will not and there are enough residents in Duncan who would be extremely unhappy to have chickens in their neighbourhood (many people who do not support chickens moved in the from the country to avoid rural lifestyles). From my informal surveys in my office I gather that many people are indifferent or supportive (conceivably more than 50%) of the urban chicken initiative but have no idea of what the bylaw and or raising chickens will eventually entail.
The Urban Chicken initiative is a North America wide movement that has been supported in several centers (i.e. Vancouver and Victoria) but has also been rejected by many centers or heavily regulated in others (Calgary, Halifax; heavily regulated in Oak Bay, Niagara Falls). The jurisdictions that have legalized urban chickens often do so against the considerable objection of major animal activist groups (the BCSPCA and BC Humane Society-as in the Vancouver bylaw) and against resistance from many residents. In Vancouver there was allowances made and a 'chicken rescue' was created at a small cost to tax payers.
In Duncan, chicken's in town seem unnecessary. Unlike other urban centers we are a small city (one square mile) surrounded by hundreds of miles of 'chicken friendly' regions. People moving to the region who wish to be chicken owners will not find it anymore expensive to rent/purchase land in outlying areas. As such, despite the likelihood that a majority of residence are indifferent or supportive I think this initiative will create considerable discord in our community, and for that reason alone the initiative should not go forward.
However; should the bylaw pass the current proposal needs considerable reworking. Proposed ‘conjugal’ rooster visits should not be allowed (the main reason for complaints in other jurisdictions and currently part of the proposed bylaw); detailed coop requirements (to prevent rat and other pest/predator infestations) must be clearly defined, feed and fecal matter storage/removal, enforcement of regulation and subsequent penalties as well as a determination if urban chicken enforcement (including building inspections) is a tax payer burden or if the cost of urban chickens is to be born through permits (as it is in some other jurisdictions). Also, home owners need to be protected from tenants who try to force chickens onto their property. The bylaw should also include a clause so the city can change its mind in the future if urban chickens become untenable.
The matter is ultimately very complex and requires considerable consideration and there must be at least one dissenting voice on council for a complete discussion (it currently appears that the entire current council is in favour of urban chickens).