I don't have high hopes. Barrie is run by authoritarian fogies who want an iron fist on what their residents can or cannot do. I would not be surprised if Barrie is the last municipality to approve backyard hens.

Any progress on this

I've started to build my coop. Hurry up.

Has there been any progress on this yet. We would love to have some hens this summer!

Allow people to have a few backyard hens. It would give our youth further insight into how food is developed and grown, than in turn this will teach them about proper nutrition. Instead of eating processed foods that are no good for them.

We have a population that is overweight and has numerous health conditions, due to poor nutritional habits and lack of availability of nutritional foods during this time of Covid-19.

I vote to have Backyard flocks in residential zoned areas.( 3-5 hens) is manageable and sustainable for any family or single person.

This would be amazing if done properly with animal welfare laws taken largely into consideration at a minimum (as they are poor). This could also help end local warehouse style egg producers. A license to keep chickens should be a must, and it should come with a plethora of educational material including winterizing and insulating for Barrie temperatures, proper housing, cleanliness, overcrowding etc, to be approved before the license to own the animals is granted. Anything less would be irresponsible.

Did anyone catch what happened regarding this?

Please allow citizens to do what they can to provide a nutritious source of protein for their families in this sustainable, environmentaly friendly manner. There are so many positive effects of allowing people who have the space to keep a few hens. Along with gardening, these initiatives reduce stress on the supply chain, provide nutrition and allow people to do what they can in times of need. There is no better time than now to encourage this type of initiative!

Yes

I am very glad a Councillor is bringing the issue up. I few hens make for sustainable, productive, entertaining backyard guests. Reducing pests including ticks, caterpillars and veggie garden pests. We can also use them to reduce our dependence on the landfill, chickens eat almost all kitchen scraps. Thanks for pressing the issue and lets hope it goes through. A great YouTube video on the benefits of hens. https://youtu.be/m2pUU1u9g7E

I hope barrie follows suit with other municipalities and allows people to have a few hens.

Well I knew they would drag their heels again. Great timing too when supply chains are about to get very slim. Thanks for nothing Barrie.

Well, the City's report came out on March 30, and none of the three municipalities they reached out to, including Toronto and Kitchener, had any major issues at all, and their feedback was very positive. So, when's the Barrie City Council vote? We have a place ready in our side yard for our four new chickens!

Any update? Even Orillia is extending the backyard hens pilot ! I don't see a reason why Barrie is so conservative on this matter. If By-law needs to be changed by permitting hens, then change it. Servicing public is council's job, I am disappointed.

Any progress on this yet?

Barrie Council must reconsider this matter and permit residence to keep chickens as they used to allow; otherwise, need new Councillors/ Council

I believe that many municipalities have allowed hens only to avoid the noise issue which appears to be the largest complaint. During times of pandemic I would hope our council would be looking at this issue as a means of helping people to stay home. Please rethink this council. You could save a life. Now more than ever we need self sufficiency. Make limits on the numbers. No one needs more than three or four hens. No one needs roosters for eggs. Please reconsider. I would have to think there is a compromise here.

Lots of by-laws have been changed overnight because of the COVID-19 virus to make life easier and more affordable for residents. Allowing for backyard hens within reasonable limits (amount of hens, proximity to fence lines, no crowing roosters etc) would allow people A) fresh food to eat from home and B) something to freaking do with all of this free time! I mean, surely we can keep a couple of chickens, which are way more quiet (and **** less) than a couple of medium sized dogs, if we are being honest!

I'm so disappointed in Barrie City council.

An update from the City:

http://barrie.ca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=bb79d4ef-57df-491d-aac1-a2590df4c6a0.pdf

This matter has been reviewed previously and was not recommended for many of the reasons listed above in the memo. Should this suggestion be implemented, an amendment to the City of Barrie By-Law 2010- 035 would be required to permit the keeping of domestic fowl on or in any Residential lot. In addition to this amendment, an established list of standards and provisions would be needed for the keeping of chickens and brought forward to Council. Furthermore, a review of the possible impacts on the Enforcement Services Department would be needed. This review would include the staffing needs and costs associated with enforcement. Additionally, there is the potential for this implementation to impact other City By-Laws therefore, investigation into further amendments may be needed. For example, the City’s Zoning By-Law, Property Standards, Fees By-Law and Noise By-Law may need amendments. Finally, community consultation and engagement on any proposed changes should take place to obtain feedback and input as part of any new program to permit urban hens in the City of Barrie.