Urban hen proponents have a right to be heard
By Lethbridge Herald on July 3, 2025.
Editor,
I would like to thank Councillor Mark Campbell for his motion to allow the Citizens of Lethbridge Urban Chicken Club, to speak to city council. The motion was passed by a 7-2 vote and CLUCC will present to the Safety and Social Committee. CLUCC will demonstrate that a one year pilot project to help residents keep chickens is a viable program for those who wish to produce their own eggs.Â
The program will not rely on city funds except for its cost of issuing licenses. CLUCC will ensure henkeepers have sufficient training to keep chickens in a humane manner by following simple guidelines such as coop size, distance from property lines, and having a maximum of four hens. The program excludes roosters and even has a complaint process. It’s as comprehensive as bylaws in the 20 plus Alberta jurisdictions that already allow chickens (including Edmonton and Calgary). CLUCC will have an Annual General Meeting on July 10 for future henkeepers and supporters to get involved.Â
We already have 50 members (and over 500 on social media) and look forward to helping people enjoy the healthy benefits of fresh eggs and the pleasure of keeping happy chickens.Â
Gilles Leclair
Lethbridge
7-6
It’s about time Lethbridge adopted this bylaw given how much better it is to produce your own food than rely on factory farming. If you can keep chickens in New York city, surely Lethbridge can do likewise.
https://www.6sqft.com/raising-chickens-in-new-york-city-laws-tips-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know/
There is a lot of support for this bylaw particularly in light of the fact that growing your own food is always a healthier option than through a factory farm. Properly managed this would be a no-brainer. https://www.6sqft.com/raising-chickens-in-new-york-city-laws-tips-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know/
one hopes that chickens will be looked after and treated far better than factory system; however, can there be oversight to ensure there is not neglect or purposeful cruelty.
From the item:
“CLUCC will ensure henkeepers have sufficient training to keep chickens in a humane manner by following simple guidelines such as coop size, distance from property lines, and having a maximum of four hens. The program excludes roosters and even has a complaint process.”
Your comment raises important questions. Are city dog and cat owners required to take training before obtaining a dog,dogs, a cat or cats, a bird or birds? What “oversight” exists with the City in order to prevent “neglect or pursposeful cruelty” to any of these creatures other than neighbours reporting to the authorities?
that is a fair comparison. as it stands, then, all things remain at the mercy of our worst actors.
Do we not need a five year study on airborne diseases.
Common Airborne Diseases in Chickens:
Transmission:
Airborne diseases in chickens can be transmitted through:
Prevention:
It only takes one chicken and if we save only one life it is worth it.
As long as you have responsible people and enforcement I don’t see an issue. Saying that I remember driving home from work about 10 years ago and seeing chickens running around my street. Their kids accidently let them loose. It was funny watching people trying to catch them and I helped for a few minutes. They did get a visit from the bylaw officer