It would appear the potential threat posed by avian flu is about to put a backyard hen pilot project on the back burner.
Back in April, city council directed staff to prepare a report dealing with the keeping of backyard hens and it is before members at this evening’s meeting.
Jim McCoomb, manager of planning services is recommending the pilot project be deferred for a year “pending more information on the emerging concern of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and the potential for considerable costs and resource impacts required to safely administer a city-wide program.
He also notes that only a pair of local vets in London and Tillsonburg specialize in dealing with small flock chickens.
McCoomb adds, the current animal shelter and the proposed new facility at the Doug Tarry Complex are not set up to handle chickens in the event birds need to be confiscated or impounded due to abuse or sickness.
In part, the recommendation is based on Toronto city council pausing its pilot project in place since 2018 for the above reasons.
Our previous story on the report can read here.
Written by: Ian McCallum
