Canada: Backyard chickens are easy, but you may have them for their lifetime
City of Vancouver said there have been 36 new registrations this year to date — a significant increase over the 25 new registrations in 2019.
By Denise Ryan
Vancouver Sun
Jul 20, 2020
Excerpt:
“In terms of your time and money, a flock of four chickens will be less work than a cat,” said Martin. “You don’t have to let them in and out or clean the litter box, you don’t have to feed them morning and night they just need a clean and safe place.”
Martin’s henhouses range in price from $750 for a small backyard coop to $1,500 for custom work.
Vancouver residents who wish to have a chicken coop must have a permit, which is free, and can be obtained online at https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/backyard-chickens.aspx. Bylaw requirements are available at https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/9150c.PDF.
The City of Surrey allows up to four backyard chickens, as does West Vancouver.North Vancouver allows up to eight hens, but the City of Burnaby allows chickens only on agriculturally zoned land.
Most municipalities don’t allow roosters — even if, like Albert, they behave more like pets than the noisy boss of the henhouse.
