The Paris Independent
9
December 9, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS “So why if there’s so little demand environments (including animal regular cleaning of coops and runs, would we spend all this disposal) as part of outbreak control fresh food and water available daily, administrative time, taxpayer money efforts (e.g., cullers) who did have, daily egg collection and cleaning and aggravation,” said Draper. “I or were wearing sufficient PPE and possibly diatomaceous earth think it’s premature to take this step during these activities.” treatment weekly to avoid bird mite without listening to the residents of infestations,” said Crawford. While avian flu can be a concern for Paris.” “Backyard hens done responsibly some, the majority of backyard can be achieved.” Draper is also concerned with the chicken homes should be safe from illness that could come with the virus as they fall under low risk Lisa Wood and Alison Fishburn are backyard chickens including avian for exposure. also in support of option three. flu which affects birds in close Councillor John Bell also does not Both women spoke about the quarters of each other. Avian flu is a support backyard chickens within benefits chickens would provide, very rare sickness among humans the community and is concerned including increased mental and though. with owner’s ability to follow the physical health, learning about controls needed to house safe sustainable and nutritional food According to the government of sources and staying connected to the chickens. Canada on guidance to human earth and the heritage within Paris. health issues related to avian “I do not have necessarily the influenza in Canada, section confidence that despite all the Fishburn hopes to stay connected 8.2highlights what a ‘high risk’ for education, all the licensing, all the with her family memories growing contamination of Avian Influenza permitting we have that people will up while learning about the includes, “Individuals with follow it and I do worry that we will environment and earth around her unprotected and very close exposure end up in a place that we will have and hopes to pass a similar (i.e., within 1 to 2 meters) to a flock issues with rats and other experience onto children of her or group of sick or dead animals predators,” said Bell. own. infected with AI or to particular Other individuals, such as Brandon “I believe this is a watershed birds or other animals that have Crawford of Paris and employee of opportunity to promote the rich been directly implicated in human skedaddle wildlife control, pushes culture and heritage of agriculture in cases.” for option three, to allow the the county of brant,” said Fishburn. A ‘low risk’ for exposure includes homing of backyard chickens in “I fully support initiatives that will further unify the entire county. different means. “Individuals who residential areas. Creating common ground, building handle single or small groups of asymptomatic animal(s) that may be While predators including rats, connections across communities is infected with AI based on species coyotes and other wildlife local to imperative to making all of us feel and possibly proximity to a Paris are a concern for some, seen and heard and valued.” geographic area where AI has Crawford explains that most pests Although the council voted 6-5 for recently been identified (e.g., come from neglect of property, poor option three of the proposal, the hunters/trappers, bird banders, construction, improper storage of final decision for backyard chickens Indigenous hunters and harvesters) waste or birdfeeders. is yet to be made and must be “In terms of education, ownership ratified by council. personnel involved in handling sick animals or decontaminating affected and maintenance, it would require
