Chickens will be the teachers at this year’s Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest.
The Backyard Chickens Event is returning to Country Fest and coordinators say it’s bigger and better than ever.
The 4-H club hopes that by educating the public about chickens, Maple Ridge council will change the bylaw to allow backyard chickens in some yards.
Blythe Parry and Janelle Pomeroy, members of the Otter 4-H Llama and Poultry club, will be hosting the event to answer questions about raising backyard chickens.
Parry and Pomeroy both said they received notices from the city in 2016 stating that they had to remove their chickens.
“This is your time to speak up,” said Pomeroy. “The city needs to hear from those of us who want backyard chickens.”
In spring 2017, the two girls spoke at a Maple Ridge council meeting where they shared information about the benefits of backyard chickens and addressed concerns, in hopes of creating new rules to allow chickens on some residential properties.
Pascale Shaw, leader of the Otter 4-H Llama and Poultry club, said Maple Ridge council gave the Agriculture Advisory Committee the green light last summer to begin developing a backyard chickens program in 2018.
The idea that surfaced was to take the program to the community to determine a level of support.
“There will be three community consultations held this summer to gauge community support,” said Shaw.
Shaw said Country Fest is the perfect opportunity for answering questions and concerns that the public may have regarding chickens.
“Anyone with concerns or questions can come on over to the Backyard Chicken Event, and have those questions answered.”
Pomeroy said it’s important for the city to receive information on how many people want chickens, how many chickens, and on what lot sizes.
Parry added that it’s important to express interest even if you don’t personally want chickens on your lot.
“Maybe your neighbour or grandkids do, or will, in the future.”
The Backyard Chicken Event runs from July 28 at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Albion fairgrounds.
The 4-H club will also hold a free draw to win a starter chicken package.
