If you prefer your food to come from a local source, what could be more local than your own backyard? A new pilot project may soon allow Toronto residents to raise chickens, right in their yard. The City is looking to vote on whether to approve the project at council sometime today. Councillors in favour of the project say the project could encourage the growth of an inner-city agricultural movement, and an urban food system while those against cite a risk of the chickens attracting predators like raccoons and coyotes. There are also concerns about smell, noise, and whether introducing chickens would lead to a slippery slope of eventually allowing larger livestock. Under the proposed plan, residents of Ward 5 (Etobicoke-Lakeshore), Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 21 (St. Paul's), and Ward 32 (Beaches-East York) would be permitted to participate in the project. This means chickens may be coming to neighbourhoods like St. Clair West, Hillcrest, the Beaches, Leslieville, Bloor West Village, Parkdale, Swansea and more. If the project is approved, residents of these wards will be allowed up to four hens. Roosters will not be allowed, due the crowing noise they make at early morning hours. Urban farming is a growing movement as many move to the city and the price of food rises. Some who like to eat local, and know where their food is coming from, have taken to producing some of it on their own property in small batches. Projects like rooftop foliage and community gardens are increasingly popular as a result. Other cities in the country, including Vancouver, Montreal, Moncton, Whitehorse, and others all allow residents to legally keep chickens in their backyard.
by Michael Ott via blogTO
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