COMMUNITY NEWS

“So why if there’s so little demand would we spend all this administrative time, taxpayer money and aggravation,” said Draper. “I think it’s premature to take this step without listening to the residents of Paris.”

Draper is also concerned with the illness that could come with backyard chickens including avian flu which affects birds in close quarters of each other Avian flu is a very rare sickness among humans though

According to the government of Canada on guidance to human health issues related to avian influenza in Canada, section 8.2highlights what a ‘high risk’ for contamination of Avian Influenza includes, “Individuals with unprotected and very close exposure (i e , within 1 to 2 meters) to a flock or group of sick or dead animals infected with AI or to particular birds or other animals that have been directly implicated in human cases.”

A ‘low risk’ for exposure includes different means. “Individuals who handle single or small groups of asymptomatic animal(s) that may be infected with AI based on species and possibly proximity to a geographic area where AI has recently been identified (e g , hunters/trappers, bird banders, Indigenous hunters and harvesters) personnel involved in handling sick animals or decontaminating affected environments (including animal disposal) as part of outbreak control efforts (e.g., cullers) who did have, or were wearing sufficient PPE during these activities.”

While avian flu can be a concern for some, the majority of backyard chicken homes should be safe from the virus as they fall under low risk for exposure.

Councillor John Bell also does not support backyard chickens within the community and is concerned with owner’s ability to follow the controls needed to house safe chickens.

“I do not have necessarily the confidence that despite all the education, all the licensing, all the permitting we have that people will follow it and I do worry that we will end up in a place that we will have issues with rats and other predators,” said Bell

Other individuals, such as Brandon Crawford of Paris and employee of skedaddle wildlife control, pushes for option three, to allow the homing of backyard chickens in residential areas.

While predators including rats, coyotes and other wildlife local to Paris are a concern for some, Crawford explains that most pests come from neglect of property, poor construction, improper storage of waste or birdfeeders.

“In terms of education, ownership and maintenance, it would require regular cleaning of coops and runs, fresh food and water available daily, daily egg collection and cleaning and possibly diatomaceous earth treatment weekly to avoid bird mite infestations,” said Crawford. “Backyard hens done responsibly can be achieved.”

Lisa Wood and Alison Fishburn are also in support of option three. Both women spoke about the benefits chickens would provide, including increased mental and physical health, learning about sustainable and nutritional food sources and staying connected to the earth and the heritage within Paris.

Fishburn hopes to stay connected with her family memories growing up while learning about the environment and earth around her and hopes to pass a similar experience onto children of her own

“I believe this is a watershed opportunity to promote the rich culture and heritage of agriculture in the county of brant,” said Fishburn. “I fully support initiatives that will further unify the entire county. Creating common ground, building connections across communities is imperative to making all of us feel seen and heard and valued.”

Although the council voted 6-5 for option three of the proposal, the final decision for backyard chickens is yet to be made and must be ratified by council.