Duncan set to play chicken
http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=9&cat=23&id=1070355&more=0

Peter Rusland

City Councillor Sharon Jackson is advocating a bylaw allowing Duncan
residents to raise up to four hens so eggs can add to local food security.

By Peter Rusland
News Leader Pictorial

Sep 22 2007

Backyard egg-rearing bylaws are poultry in motion to Councillor Sharon
Jackson.

“We’re considering changing our zoning bylaws to permit a family to have
up to four chickens,” she says, noting current bylaws don’t permit hens
at home.

But some folks flout the law to gain fresh eggs so Jackson wants Duncan
council to bring its bylaws up to par with those in Sooke, Oak Bay and
elsewhere.

“It would also mean a change in our animal control bylaw,” she says,
adding council will seek public input about the hen-raising issue.

Families would not be allowed to keep roosters, and hens must be kept in
sturdy pens.

‘They can’t be free-range,” says Jackson.

Owners must also join the local Feather Fanciers or a 4-H club to learn
proper ways to care for chickens.

“This’ll be a non-issue if people learn how to take care of their chickens.”

Jackson says chicken-rearing issues surfaced amid food security goals in
the city’s recently rewritten official community plan.

“Lots of low-income people in Duncan could certainly benefit from having
fresh eggs everyday,” she says.

“People have asked us ‘Why not?’ Other municipalities have a similar
zoning so we’ll look at it.”

While she supports home-based egg production, Jackson says it’s unlikely
she’ll raise hens at her place.

North Cowichan municipality allows up to 12 poultry ­— hens and roosters
— for properties measuring .04 of an acre to two acres.

There’s no poultry limit on properties larger than two acres, North
Cowichan staff said.

Pens in North Cow must be at least 49 feet inside the property line.