Urban Agriculture and Backyard Hens

Posted by Linda Metcalfe 
on May 16, 2013
 
 

Anthony Haddad, Director Developmental Services, City of Penticton spoke at our Rotary Club meeting about Urban Agriculture and Backyard Hens.

Urban Agriculture

Anthony spoke about the pros of urban agriculture – locally grown produce in your own backyard:

  • Promotes a healthy lifestyle
  • Family Activity
  • Physical Activity
  • Education for children
  • Low cost food source
  • Creates culture of health

Penticton has the landscape, water and climate to sustain backyard agriculture as well as community gardens and a Farmer’s Market to sell locally grown produce.  Even the Lakeside Hotel grows its own produce for use in their restaurants.  

Backyard Hens  

Backyard coops have been allowed in various areas with much success (North Vancouver, Terrace, Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo to name a few).  Penticton council was approached in September 2012 to allow and assess backyard coops. 

Some of the issues considered were:

  • Predators
  • Number of hens
  • Noise and odor
  • Care of hens
  • Lack of veterinary care
  • Human health affects
  • Waste disposal

Benefits included:

  • Affordable, local food source
  • Ensuring poultry welfare
  • Education opportunities
  • Source of compost

Council Direction

The council approved a pilot program of 18 month temporary use permits for a maximum of 5 hens with the coops and hen enclosures limited to backyards. These permits will be given to 25 properties for both single and duplex housing.  They will monitor and report back to council after 18 months.  These permits will be endorsed on May 21st of this year.