Discussions

Can you have chickens in the city? I looked at the by-laws and I could only see by-laws pertaining to pigeons. We wouldn't be looking for a back yard full of them, just enough for laying eggs.

... no.  
 
I wish though.  
 
I remember when SDH was elected, it was something talked about during the election. Dave Burgess said no way because we're not a rural area.  
 
I always thought that was funny because I could see a dairy farm from my kitchen window.

This bylaw exists for a good reason. Do you have any idea how loud even a few chickens can be? Your neighbors would hate you. Buy a farm if you want to have livestock.

The ungodly ammonia smell, and daily cleaning of the coop with manure build up and sanitization. People can't look after a dogs build up in a yard... Chickens are worse  
 

I live in a small town (not in Brandon itself) and our by-laws allow us to have 3 hens (no roosters) even within town limits.  
 
However, in the city, I don't believe you're allowed to have anything that isn't considered "domesticated".

Abbysmum said "... no.     I wish though.     I remember when SDH was elected, it was something talked about during the election. Dave Burgess said no way because we're not a rural area.     I always thought that was funny because I could see a dairy farm from my kitchen window. "

If you see that dairy farm out your window, it was there long before you.  
It just gets me so mad when people expand around farms and then complain. The other day, a lady was talking about the stink coming from the cows.  
The farm was NOT built there in the last few years. It was there long, long ago and a long way out of the city.  
Funny how the city has not tried to expand and expropriate their land.  
If you want farm animals, move to a farm (and not beside one, lol)  

imo if there is no bi-law against it i dont see why you cant have a few, I dont see them as any louder then a barking dog, just dont get a rooster and as long as you clean the cages regularly then the neighbors wont smell them at all, at least no worse then their dog poop  
 
Vancouver allows them so i dont see why Brandon shouldn't

I agree, two-three chickens should be allowed. They are a domesticated animal and since coming to university I sure miss mine. :/  
 
 
 

I looked into this earlier this year. Unfortunately no. I much prefer free run eggs. Fortunately my parents buy eggs from a colony. The last eggs they bought were $1.35 a dozen and huge. Best eggs and great price.

the city is over run with rodents as is! They would just get fatter with all the chicken feed they could eat!  
 

Unfortunately no chickens allowed in the city however we are a short distance in the country and have free-range eggs available. I raise heritage breeds and have coloured eggs. It's really too bad they aren't allowed. They are such fun and sociable animals. I have a number of "lap chickens".

MrsZ2015 said "I looked into this earlier this year. Unfortunately no. I much prefer free run eggs. Fortunately my parents buy eggs from a colony. The last eggs they bought were $1.35 a dozen and huge. Best eggs and great price. "

I have never seen egg chickens at a colony that would be considered free run...Not sure why chickens placed in cages by hutterites make the eggs better.

1) Cleaning of cages/disposing of manure.  
2) Proper housing in our cold temperatures.  
3) Would people release in a park (as they do "Easter" bunnies when the novelty wears off)?  
4) Who will humanely dispose of them after they are old and no longer laying?  
5) Humane societies/rescue groups already are overwhelmed w/unwanted companion animals so let's not add to their burden!  
6) I often see ads for eggs on ebrandon so think free run or free range eggs are available near Brandon.

Crash said "    MrsZ2015 said "I looked into this earlier this year. Unfortunately no. I much prefer free run eggs. Fortunately my parents buy eggs from a colony. The last eggs they bought were $1.35 a dozen and huge. Best eggs and great price. " I have never seen egg chickens at a colony that would be considered free run...Not sure why chickens placed in cages by hutterites make the eggs better. "

I don't know what it is, but they are better than production farms... even the yolks are darker... the colony we go to they aren't caged up at all times.

There are specific by-laws to pigeons, how are pigeons better then chickens? I didn't realize that this was such a contraversial topic.

kat333 said "    Abbysmum said "... no.     I wish though.     I remember when SDH was elected, it was something talked about during the election. Dave Burgess said no way because we're not a rural area.     I always thought that was funny because I could see a dairy farm from my kitchen window. " If you see that dairy farm out your window, it was there long before you.   It just gets me so mad when people expand around farms and then complain. The other day, a lady was talking about the stink coming from the cows.   The farm was NOT built there in the last few years. It was there long, long ago and a long way out of the city.   Funny how the city has not tried to expand and expropriate their land.   If you want farm animals, move to a farm (and not beside one, lol)   "

I'm not complaining about the farm. I'm just noting that we're hardly an "urban area".  
 
FYI... my house was not new, It's been there longer than I've alive.

so where is the bi law that says no chickens?  
 
why is their feed and poop any different then dog feed and poop in the yard? humanly dispose of chickens is easy, many people still butcher their own or take them to auctions so the humain society shouldnt have an issue, noe should they get to say what pets are allows and what are not, winter housing is also an easy task but not anyone elses concern but the owners  
 
like i said already, larger real cities do allow a limited number of chickens so i find it funny that a city with rural roots is sooo apposed

We have chickens. I certainly don't think the city is anywhere for chickens. They are loud and they do smell. Having chickens in a small cage in your back yard is no different than buying eggs in the store. If you want free run eggs then they need the space to move around. Chickens do fly and can clear a 5 ft fence. Then what happens when the neighbors dog decides to have the neighbors chickens for lunch?