The debate over backyard chickens is once again before Fort St. John city council.
Councillor Jim Lequiere proposed a notice of motion to allow residents to have chicken in their backyards at the latest meeting of council, but the idea was rebuffed by city staff.
Councillor Trevor Bolin said this issue has come up at least five times in the 17 years he’s been on council.
“I think the reason it’s becoming such a big discussion on social media is because it’s not allowed,” said Bolin. “There’s just so much more to it than saying, yes, you can have four chickens or four laying hens in your yard,” he continued.
Bolin added council’s concern is for the welfare of the animal and the ability to have a bylaw that actually works. “Council was never against giving people the ability for people to source their own food,” said the councillor
Bolin is aware that other communities in the Peace Region, like Taylor or Dawson Creek, allow residents to have backyard chickens. He said council is revisiting bylaws in these communities to learn from different issues they are facing.
City staff said Lequiere’s motion needs to include an alternative care provider for backyard chickens because the BC SPCA have very little desire to enter the business of care for injured or abandoned birds.
Bolin also said backyard chickens attract predators, like foxes and coyotes, and that’s a big issue.
He said neighbour-to-neighbour issues, like smell or noise, is also what people complain about the most, in places where backyard chickens are allowed.
“I know there’s a lot of people who are excited and think this is going to happen upper fast. Unfortunately, with government, there is nothing that happens super fast,” said Bolin.
Lequiere will present his motion before council in two weeks, and Bolin said it could take up to two months before a decision is made.