•  Backyard Hens are only permitted in non-urban residential zones which include the following zones:
  • SR Suburban Residential
  • RH Residential Hamlets and Villages
  • RR Rural Residential
• Only properties with single detached homes in the proper zones may apply for a Backyard Hen License.

 Ownership Regulations

• No more than four (4) backyard hens are permitted on a residential property
• Backyard hens must be kept in a proper backyard hen coop
• Only those who live on the property can keep hens. Tenants must receive written permission from the property owner to keep hens on the property
• Roosters are not permitted
• Hens must be at least four (4) months old
• The selling of eggs, chicken by-products, food made with chicken by-products, manure, or other products associated with keeping backyard hens is not permitted
• Hens must always have food and clean water in solid containers
• Backyard hen owners must follow the biosecurity procedures recommended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Basic Biosecurity Principles for Poultry and Biosecurity for small flock and pet bird owners
• All backyard hen owners must be registered with the Chicken Farmers of Ontario Family Food Program
  
• Home slaughter of hens is prohibited in a residential zone
• Deceased hens must be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility or through the services of a veterinarian
• Hens are not allowed to roam freely on the property and must stay in the backyard hen coop or an enclosed run
• The backyard hen coop must be draft-proof, dry, and insulated
• Backyard hens must be secured in the Backyard Hen Coop between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.

The application must include:

• Site Plan Depicting:

  • Lot dimensions and proposed location of hen coop;
  • Dimensions of the hen house and hen run;
  • Setbacks from lot lines and any other structure/buildings on the lot;
  • Setback from any dwelling located on any lot sharing a lot line with the lot subject to the application;
  • Setback from any waterway and private well;
• The applicant is responsible to determine the property/lot line(s) by reviewing their property survey to ensure that the required setbacks are met. If the exact property/lot line(s) cannot be determined, an Ontario Land Surveyor should be consulted.
• If the person applying is not the property owner, an Owner’s Authorization Letter providing permission to keep backyard hens on the property in accordance with the County of Brant Backyard Hen Bylaw

2. Approval and Payment

 Upon approval of your application, the applicant will be required to:

• Pay a one-time non-refundable $150.00 application fee

3. Inspection of Backyard Hen Coop

Following approval and payment, the applicant will be approved to construct the Backyard Hen Coop in accordance with the submitted and approved Site Plan. Once constructed, the applicant may schedule an inspection with Bylaw Enforcement for final approval and Issuance of the Backyard Hen License. 

If applicable, an Electrical Safety Authority Certificate of Inspection for internal heating and lighting of the coop will be required

4. Purchase of Hens and proof of Chicken Farmers of Ontario registration

Registration with the Family Food Grower program through the Chicken Farmers of Ontario takes place one of two ways:

1. When an individual purchases from a broker dealer (ex. farm supply store) they will be registered by the broker dealer

2. When an individual hatches their own chickens or buys from another province or other source, the individual will register themselves on the Chicken Farmers of Ontario website.

In both cases, upon completion of registration, a Form 300 is issued by email and the individual can use this as confirmation of their registration.

4. Issuance of Backyard Hen License

Manure Guide

Resources Materials

• Bird Health Basics Video from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Raise Healthy Small Flock Poultry by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
• Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
• Best Practices Reference: Reducing Health Risks Associated with Backyard Chickens from Public Health Ontario
• Chicken Farmers of Ontario
• Biosecurity for small flock and pet bird owners from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Basic Biosecurity Principles for Poultry from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Recommendations for Backyard Hen Owners

•    Wash hands thoroughly after handling hens or their surroundings

•    Wearing dedicated clothing and shoes to avoid cross contamination

•    Supervise children when they are in contact with hens

•    Do not bring backyard hens inside your house

•    Keep backyard hens, their feed, and water away from wild birds

•    Regularly clean hen enclosures, feed and water containers

•    Seek veterinary care if hens exhibit any signs or symptoms of illness