Chatham-Kent council voted down a recommendation Monday to extend the municipality’s Backyard Chickens Pilot Program, with staff noting that no one had signed up for the program. The pilot will end in November as originally scheduled.
Administration had recommended extending the program, which permits and regulates backyard hens in rural residential and village residential zones, to May 31, 2027.
Council approved the two-year pilot at its Nov. 4, 2024 meeting through an amendment to the Responsible Animal Ownership By-law, permitting up to 10 hens on eligible properties, excluding Erieau, subject to the issuance of a hen permit. Applicants wishing to keep hens were required to complete a hen permit application, meet all applicable bylaw requirements, and pay an initial permit fee of $400. An on-site inspection by Pet and Wildlife Rescue was also required prior to permit issuance.
As part of the original approval, administration had committed to providing council with a report near the conclusion of the pilot, including information on permits issued, complaints received, and any recommended bylaw amendments, to help council determine whether the program should be discontinued, extended, expanded or made permanent.
Administration had proposed the extension due to the timing of the 2026 municipal election, arguing it would give incoming council time to become familiar with the program before making a decision on its future. Pet and Wildlife Rescue had indicated support for the extension and confirmed no additional costs would be incurred beyond the existing $200 inspection fee for any new hen permit applications received during the extension period.
