Backyard Chickens

​The Municipality of Chatham-Kent currently permits chickens and roosters on properties zoned agricultural. 

As directed by Council, a survey regarding backyard chickens in urban areas was conducted through Chatham-Kent's Let Talk from March 17 to April 12, 2023. A total of 4,988 participants completed the survey. These results were provided to Council at the July 10th, 2023 Council meeting.

Click on the links below to review the Information Report to Council and Survey Results:

Information Report - Backyard Chickens Survey Results - June 30, 2023.pdf

Attachment A - Summary of Survey Results for Backyard Chickens

Attachment A1 - Survey Responses - Question 4 - In what urban community do you live

Attachment A2 - Survey Responses - Question 7 - Why interested in keeping chickens- Other Comments

Attachment A3 - Survey Responses - Question 8 - What concerns do you have - Other Comments

Attachment A4 - Survey Responses - Question 10 - How many chickens per property - Other Comments

Attachment A5 - Survey Responses - Question 11 - Final Comments

Attachment B - Kent Federation of Agriculture Letter

Attachment C - Egg Farmers of Ontario letter

Attachment D - Southwestern Ontario Municipalities

Attachment E - Minutes of June 29 2023 public meeting.pdf

Attachment F - Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit - Backyard Chickens - Food Systems Perspective


Public Meeting

A public meeting was held on June 29, 2023, at 6:00 pm at St. Mary's Hall at 94 George St in Blenheim to discuss the contents of the Information Report to Council and the survey results. See Attachment E above for the minutes of that meeting.


July 10, 2023 Council Meeting

The following motion was approved: "That Council direct administration to bring back a report in the Spring of 2024 with costing associated to a backyard chicken program for all of Chatham-Kent.  This report should include several options for a program with different levels of enforcement and regulations, and include an update from public health on avian flu and other related matters to backyard chickens.  In addition, this report will include options of different ways to implement a Backyard Chicken program including status quo and consideration of a pilot project and associated costs. Administration shall recommend one of these options suggested to Council within the report.

Council to also direct administration to include the following recommendations for consideration in the new RFP to be posted in late 2023/early 2024 for Animal Control Services include separate costing options for different levels of enforcement should Chatham-Kent implement a backyard chicken program. This will assist with understanding how much a program will cost when Council votes on the report in Spring 2024."

Next Steps

Report to Council with recommendations due in the Spring of 2024.

Questions? Email cklicensing@chatham-kent.ca.