Hub Staff

Following its approval in principle during the April 24 Saugeen Shores Committee of Whole, poultry in urban areas was made official at the May 8 Council Meeting by a vote of 6-1. With Mayor Mike Smith absent, Councillor Mike Myatt was the sole vote against.

The by-law requires residents approved for the two-year pilot program to house up to five hens in backyards 1,000 square metres or greater. There will be no fee during the two-year pilot program and provisions shall be enforced by the Municipal Law Enforcement Officer or a Police Officer. A Town of Saugeen Shores Chief Building Official will maintain a registry of owners and the hens will also be tagged.

The new by-law 42-2017 has many requirements to ensure coop maintenance and hen health.

• Coops and any run shall be setback a minimum of 1.5 metres from side and rear lot lines and a minimum of 5 metres from any dwelling unit, excluding the dwelling unit on the property on which the hens are located.
• Every owner of hens and every property owner on which hens are kept shall ensure the hens are housed in a coop that is constructed and maintained to:
a) to provide protection from weather and be adequately ventilated;
b) to exclude rodents and predators;
c) with flooring that is resistant to moisture and mold and retains heat in the cold weather;
d) with a chicken box sufficient to accommodate all hens;
e) with a perch area sufficient to accommodate all hens;
f) with an accessible dust bath area

• Every owner of hens and every property owner on which hens are kept shall ensure that:
a) coops and runs are maintained in a clean condition;
b) coops and runs are maintained to ensure that smells do not cause a 
nuisance to residents of any neighbouring property or any residents of 
the Town;
c) coop floors are lined with shavings, straw or other appropriate materials to absorb manure and facilitate cleaning;
d) coops are deep cleaned at least two times per year including disinfection of troughs, perches and nests;
e) feeders and water containers are provided and are cleaned and disinfected regularly;
f) all stored feed is kept in rodent proof containers and secured at all times to prevent rodents and other animals from accessing it;
g) feeding of hens is done in a manner that minimizes the attraction of rodents or other animals;
h) manure and droppings are cleaned out daily and stored in a secured container until disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
i) hens have access to an enclosed outdoor run area;
j) deceased hens are disposed within 24 hours of death at a livestock disposal facility, through the services of a veterinarian, or through a facility approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and are disposed of in accordance with all other applicable laws and regulations;
k) hens are kept in accordance with all other Town by-laws respecting noise and property maintenance

The by-law states that no roosters are allowed to be housed in urban areas, that no person will be allowed to engage in the sale of eggs, manure, meat or other products and by-products of hens; and slaughtering and butchering of hens is prohibited.