Backyard Chickens

Norfolk County residents can keep chickens in their backyard.

If you are interested in keeping chickens or already have chickens, please review the information below to learn more about the required care, health, safety, animal welfare, and registration. 

Review the Animal Care and Control By-Law to learn more about backyard hens.

Chicken regulations

• Maximum of 4 chickens
• No roosters
• Sales of eggs, manure and other products associated with keeping chickens are not allowed
• Home slaughter of chickens is not allowed
• The owner of the chickens must reside on the property where they are kept.
• Rental properties must receive written permission from the owner
• Other by-laws, such as noise, animal regulations, lot maintenance, and property standards, will still apply.
• Backyard hen(s) must be registered with the Ontario Chicken Marketing Board Small Flock Policy

Coop

• 3.0 m from the rear lot line
• 3.0 m from a side lot line
• 3.0 m from a rear lot line abutting a side yard
• Maximum of 10 square metres of useable floor area and a maximum building height of 3 metres
• Coop must be enclosed on all six sides if they are not buried

Food and water

• Feeders and water containers must be provided, cleaned regularly and disinfected.
• Feed must be secured in rodent-proof containers to prevent rodents and other animals from accessing it.

Manure

• All manure shall be stored within a fully enclosed waterproof container covered by a fully enclosed structure or weatherproof container.
• No more than 0.08 cubic meters (2.8 cubic feet) of manure shall be stored on the premises at a time.

Deceased chickens

• Deceased chickens must be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility, either through the services of a veterinarian or through a facility approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Avian flu

Avian Influenza, commonly known as the bird flu, is a viral infection that spreads easily and quickly among birds. This virus can affect several species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.) and pet and wild birds.

Signs and symptoms

Infected birds may show one or more of the following signs:

• lack of energy, movement or appetite
• decreased egg production
• swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
• nervous signs, tremors or lack of coordination
• diarrhea
• sudden death

In rare cases, humans can become infected. Health Canada's website provides more information about the risks to humans.

Keep your birds safe

Follow these tips to protect your backyard chickens from the bird flu:

• Prevent contact with wild birds and other animals
• Frequently clean poultry coops, waterers, feeders, your clothing and your boots
  spot the signs of Avian Influenza and report early to a veterinarian or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
• Limit exposure to visitors
• Separate birds, their water and food, from wild birds