Fredericton woman wants backyard chickens

A Fredericton womanhopes tobring backyard chicken farming to the capital.

Hazel Richardson, whosays she had chickens growing up in the United Kingdom,is spearheading the effort, and plans to ask City Hall for a pilot project that would allow two to four chickens in a few locations around the city.

Moncton launched a similar pilot project in the summer last year, and the idea of raising poultry in urban areas has been a discussion point and sometimes contentious debate in many areas of North America.

Proponents say it's healthy, cheap and environmentally friendly. Critics point to the potential for noise, bad smells and the attraction of other animals to the feed.

Richardson saysbackyard chickens provide cheap protein through eggs, and allow people and their children to have a better connection withand understanding of where their food originates.

"And also [children] love to help feeding the chickens. They're great pets."

No roosters

She also said her proposal calls for hens only, which eliminates the loud crow of the rooster. "They make no noise after dark, unlike dogs," she said.

She said a well-kept,insulated coop should deal with other problems, including vermin and harsh winters.

Richardson posted a classified ad on the internet site Kijiji a few weeks ago to see if anyone else would beinterested, and saysshe was amazed by the response.

She's alsolooking for more support on aFacebook page called Fredericton City Chickens.

Before she approaches City Hall, she's looking to speak with people who keep chickens outside the city limits, who would be interested in doing so in Fredericton and with concerns about such an idea.

She wants to bring a full report to City Hall thatincludes publicconcerns.

"Nobody wants to do something that is going to become a nuisance or a health hazard to anybody," she said. "This has to be done properly."

Richardson said a pilot project in a few backyardswould allow the city to see if therewould beany issues in allowing chickens city-wide.