Blackfalds residents can now have backyard hens

“This is being done by ensuring there is an appointed temporary caregiver for when the urban hen owner is temporarily unable to provide care for their hens, and requiring each hen is provided with food, water, shelter, light, ventilation, care, nest boxes, one perch per hen, a minimum coop floor area and outdoor enclosure area per hen along with opportunities for essential behaviours such as scratching, dust-bathing, and roosting.”

There are penalties built into the bylaw for not adhering to regulations, including that one may not have their license renewed.

Interested applicants can now download the Urban Hen Application form and send it to planning_development@blackfalds.ca or return it to the Civic Cultural Centre in person. Permits will cost $70 and will be active from approval until July 11 annually for the next two years.

Several other central Alberta communities have had urban hen programs for some time, including Red Deer, Lacombe, Innisfail and Red Deer County.

In 2018, Blackfalds town council — of the day — opted to reject an urban hen pilot project, stating there was only 50/50 interest from residents.

More information on the urban hen program and licensing criteria is now available at www.blackfalds.ca/hens.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Blackfalds residents can now have backyard hens

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