They’re friendly, provide quality food and now they may also be in legal in Revelstoke as city council prepares to view a chicken bylaw at the July 28 meeting.
This update has been a few years in the making and Erin Wilkins, a previous board member of the North Columbia Environmental Society, remembers presenting to the previous council about the benefits of raising backyard chickens.
“People have been raising chickens for years,” she said. “I think part of it is just wanting to legitimise it. Up until this point, it’s been a grey area.”
Currently, the City of Revelstoke estimates about 35 households in Revelstoke are raising chickens. The Revelstoke Sustainability Action Plan (2013) and the Revelstoke Food Security Strategy (October 10, 2014) recommended the keeping of backyard chickens.
Wilkins explains that raising chickens isn’t necessarily a cheaper form of eating but you do get a quality product.
“You know directly where your food is coming from, you decide what your chickens consume,” she said. “The eggs are more nutritious and taste a lot better.”
“We have kids so it’s really great for them to be connected in that way and have an opportunity to see where their food comes from. I really quite love chickens, they create a nice atmosphere are easy pets. They’re low maintenance and have easy temperaments.”
There are generally two types of chicken, those that are raised for meat and those that lay eggs. A chick will cost about $2—$6 and don’t start laying until 18 weeks old. They lay for about a year and a half. A standard brown chicken costs about $9
Bylaw quick details
- -A maximum of five hens per property.
- -Chicken enclosures must be at least five metres from any door or window on a neighbouring property.
- -Hens are not permitted on multi-family or mobile home park lots.
- -City staff is creating the application and registration forms, guidelines and basic chicken care/prevention and detection of disease pamphlet.
- -There is a proposed one-time registration fee of $25.00.
- -The hen enclosure must be situated within a fenced portion of the yard for the protection of the hen(s) and for aesthetic reasons.
- -Hen enclosures/coops are only permitted in a back or side yard, not in the front of the dwelling.
If council supports the recommendation a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for the August 25 council meeting at 3 p.m.
To read the bylaw in detail, see this link.
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