Urban Hen Pilot Project

Town of Lamont to Investigate Development of Urban Hen Pilot Project

 Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Which came first the chicken or the egg?

In the case of Lamont Town Council, it was a proposal by resident Cory Cholak asking members to allow an urban hen program in the community.

That request was put forward on Sept. 12, 2023. Cholak, who was born and raised in Lamont, told council the urban hen program would allow town residents to build an enclosed chicken coop and ethically raise laying hens in a controlled environment.

Cholak said the City of Edmonton has a robust urban hen program which began in 2014 with a pilot of 19 sites being approved that year. “The pilot was a success so they increase the site limit to 50 in 2016, then removing the limit in 2019.  The program has been growing ever since.”

He recommended the town add a section to Bylaw 4/23 ‘Animal Control Bylaw’ permitting Hens (Poultry) within town limits and outline what is required by the property owner in regards to application and safe keeping of the hens.

As well, Cholak said the town would need to implement an application process which consists of the number of hens, coop location, size and distance from the home and properties perimeter.  Provide the PID number (premises identification number) required from the province of Alberta. The application could be filed via mail, email or online and would be approved by town administration.

Following that presentation, Councillor Dave Taylor made a motion to direct administration to investigate the development of a pilot project for 2024 including bylaw amendment, enforcement, permitting and related policy with initial information to be provided by the end of November. That motion was passed.

Four-year-old Ayden Cholak feeding his chickens scraps from the garden this past fall. The family also owns a farm near the Town of Lamont as well as a property in-town.

(Cholak Family/ Submitted Photo)

The survey results were presented at council’s Nov. 28 regular meeting with council directing administration to develop a pilot program bylaw. Interim CAO Dawn Nielsen said they are now in the process of developing an Urban Hen Pilot Program Bylaw for Council’s review.

Coun. Taylor stated that, “Council is in support of a pilot project to explore the facilitation of urban hens in Lamont in a responsible, respectful and sustainable way.”

Cholak said the survey results were “very positive” and is looking forward to the pilot project. Cory and his wife Tanya have two young children and said it’s important to them to teach their children where food comes from as well as having them learn responsibility through caring for the hens.

More and more people are starting adopt healthy eating and developing a healthy lifestyle, added Cholak, who sees this as a great step forward.

According to the survey results, 74.4 percent or 64 out of 86 respondents said residents should be allowed to keep laying hens within the town limits under certain guidelines. The top reasons for allowing this included: education purposes, economical reasons and lifestyle.

A total of 46 respondents (53.9 percent) indicated they had kept hens or known someone who did for the purpose of urban farming. In regards to guidelines, nearly 70 percent was to only allow hens, no roosters. Other considerations that topped the list were: lot size, location of where hens would be kept and mandatory training on how to care for hens.

Nearly half of respondents said the maximum number of hens allowed per property should be between four and six.