Backyard Chickens

Apply for a licence

Before you keep chickens in your backyard, you must:

The property inspection is to check the distance of your chicken coop from the property line and to ensure other regulations are met.

In accordance with By-law No. 3646-26 the following regulations apply to the keeping of backyard chickens:

The keeping of hens is permitted on residential lots so long as a permit is obtained in compliance with the applicable provisions and regulations as set out in By-law No. 3646-26.
Owner of the hens resides at the property, or the tenant has written permission from the owner.
No more than 4 hens kept on residential zoned property with a lot size less than 0.8 ha (2 acres).
No more than 10 hens kept on residential zoned property with a lot size equal to or greater than 0.8 ha (2 acres)
No person shall have a rooster on a residentially zoned property.
All stored feed is kept in rodent proof containers and secured at all times to prevent rodents and other animals from accessing it.
Feeding of hens is done in a manner that minimizes the attraction of rodents or other animals.
Deceased hens are disposed of at a livestock disposal facility, through the services of a veterinarian, chicken exchange program, or through a facility as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness and are disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
There is no sale of eggs, manure, or other products associated with the keeping of hens.
No slaughtering or butchering of hens is done on the property.
Hens are kept in accordance with all other laws including the Township's By-laws respecting noise, clean yards, property standards, and animals as well as provincial legislation respecting the keeping of animals.
No person shall allow Backyard Chickens to run at large

Hens must be kept in a fully enclosed Coop or Run in a manner that contains the hens on the property and prevents their escape.
Coop and/or Run must be within the rear yard or interior side yard of the property.
Coops shall not exceed a maximum height of 4.5 metres (14.75 feet).
Coops and Runs shall not be located within 3 metres (9.8 feet) of any dwelling or within 1 metre (3.9 feet) of any property line.
Coops and Runs must always be kept in clean sanitary conditions and in good repair.
Coops and Runs must be maintained to ensure that odours do not cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties.
Coops must have a ground floor area of no larger than 9.3 square metres (100 sq. ft.)
Maximum of one chicken coops per property.
Coops and Runs must be fully enclosed. Coops shall be weatherproof with flooring that is resistant to moisture, mold, and retains heat.
Coop floors lined with shaving, straw, or other appropriate materials to absorb manure.
Coops are deep cleaned at least two times yearly.

Avian influenza (H5N1) has been found in southern Ontario. This virus can affect all birds, including backyard hens:

If you have a concern about hens or coops, email bylaw@northdumfries.ca or call 519-632-8800.

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