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Residents of Smiths Falls will soon be able to keep backyard hens legally with council set to approve a new by-law regulating the practice across the municipality.
The decision follows a one-year pilot program and several rounds of discussion by council and staff. The by-law is on Monday night’s council meeting agenda and is expected to pass following narrow support at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Under the by-law, homeowners will be permitted to keep up to six backyard hens on qualifying residential properties. Roosters will remain prohibited due to concerns about noise.
Opponents had previously raised concerns regarding noise, odours, pests, and potential impacts on neighbouring properties.
Councillor Jay Brennan maintaned his staunch opposition to the by-law.
Brennan said there are documented cases of foxes running around in town in the area whre backyard hens reside.
Councillors Stephen Robinson and Dawn Quinn also continued to express their opposition.
A key point of debate was the proposed registration process and the fee for backyard hen owners.
Mayor Shawn Pankow said registering the hens the same way as town requires cats and dogs is a benefit to the owners.
Town staff are expected to oversee implementation of the by-law and provide information to residents regarding compliance requirements and enforcement procedures.
Story by Grant Deme
