Toronto not likely to move forward with pilot allowing backyard hens

The City of Toronto will likely not move forward with a pilot program allowing residents in select areas to keep backyard hens.

The program, known as UrbanHensTO, was launched back in 2018. Then, just over a year ago, staff recommended the pilot become permanent after the 200-plus households participating received just five complaints.

However, the city said it would also be looking into mounting concerns over the avian flu.

“Things are different this year because of avian influenza,” said Toronto Animal Services Directo Esther Attard. “It has been pretty devastating to wild birds. It has affected about 750,000 birds in Ontario already.”

“These birds are people’s pets, and you know, if they do contract avian influenza, they’re likely going to die,” added Attard.

“And as well, the cost of administering the program.”

Advocates speak out

A recently released report by city staff also cited a lack of qualified veterinary care available in the city.

“There are two veterinarians registered to be able to look after hens. You have to have a specific accreditation,” shared Attard.

Jessica Ramos, meanwhile, is an advocate for having backyard hens in Toronto.

“I think that so many of the concerns that are getting tagged onto backyard chicken farming are just misplaced,” said Ramos. “I don’t think that means they have to shut down the program because there hasn’t been enough evidence to substantiate their claims that there’s a huge risk of transmission from chickens to other wildlife,” explained Ramos.

“We have thousands of pigeons in the city, we have thousands of other wild birds that are way more mobile than chickens, that are a much higher concern of spreading avian flu to humans or to industrial chickens where they have to cull thousands of chickens if they get sick,” added Ramos.

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UrbanHensTO participant Keilia Fazio said they were quite surprised to hear the programs might be ended.

“We felt like there was a lot of very positive momentum about having the urban chicken project continuing,” said Fazio.

CityNews first spoke to the Fazio family in March of 2022. They gave urban hens a try and were hoping to see it continue.

“It was a really worthwhile experience actually. We’re fortunate to live within walking distance to the kids’ local school. Last year we had a number of class visits come to our backyard and got to actually feed the chickens and meet the chickens. A couple of the classes were actually lucky enough to see a chicken actually lay an egg,” shared Fazio.

“The avian flu of course is an important issue, we want to keep everybody safe but there are safe practices, and the backyard chicken owners take great pride in their birds,” she added.

The pilot officially expires on May 31 of this year. The city suggests it could be revived in the future if postponed.

As for residents who took part, like the Fazios, they won’t have to give up their hens. The city says it will allow them to be kept as long as the hens live.