The backyard chicken debate comes back to Brant County and hatches a new idea to bring local agriculture into Paris

By Bailey Zimmer

As the desire for backyard chickens grows, council members deliberate a decision to allow birds in the town.

County staff put together a presentation outlining four potential proposals to move a motion for backyard chickens. The debate, with many delegations from area residents, unfolded in Council Chambers during the November 14th Planning Committee meeting.

Option one is to maintain current provisions and not allow chickens outside agricultural areas Option two permits chickens in non-urban zones. Option three allows chickens in all residential zones, and option four will create a pilot project to experiment with the success of backyard chickens, allowing individuals to house the chickens for an extended period of time before determining a final solution for the county.

Reflecting the heavy debate, Council members vote 6-5 to proceed with the welcoming of backyard chickens within the town of Paris and surrounding areas as stated in option three of the proposal

The County of Brant is inching closer to allowing backyard chickens in town. It’s a passionate debate from both supporters and naysayers and even councillors are divided on the issue. The bylaw to allow chickens on residential properties was supported in a 6-5 vote at a November Planning Committee meeting and must be ratified by council.

Residents within the town of Paris have been struck by the idea of keeping backyard chickens within residential areas to which there has been much deliberation.

Conflicting arguments from residents and county council members alike have been front and centre at several county meetings this year.

Patrick Draper, six-year resident of Paris, does not agree with moving forward with the backyard chicken consideration.

“Why is this controversial idea being examined yet again,” Draper said. “We already know it’s a terrible idea for urban Paris.”

Draper references larger populated cities including Toronto and Mississauga in terms of demand for backyard chickens to compare to the county of Brant. According to CBC news, the numbers of backyard chicken application each city holds does not reflect a large portion of the city, Toronto with around 80 households, and Mississauga with four. Continued on page