With high food prices the norm for the time being, many families need help.
And St. Thomas resident Kay Vaughan feels the answer may be right in our own backyard.
She has written to members of city council urging them to allow the raising of hens on residential property.
She suggests an annual permit with a proposed fee of $100 per household. It would require a fully fenced yard and roosters would not be allowed due to their vocal abilities.
A small chicken coop would be allowed and would not require a permit.
She feels a limit of four or five per household could be implemented.
One benefit is a steady supply of eggs. Working out the math, Vaughan says with three hens you would have about 91 dozen eggs a year.
There currently is a bylaw prohibiting this, however city council Monday evening voted unanimously to have staff prepare a report for an upcoming meeting.
She notes communities including Kingston, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, Brampton, Kitchener and Guelph already permit this.
Written by Ian McCallum
