Photo of Les Booth by Dan Toulgoet in Vancouver Courier
While I haven’t had a chance to check out the size, strength and security of these coops, it’s great to see urban chickens hatching businesses in Vancouver.
From the June 5, 2009 edition of the Vancouver Courier.
Businesses prepare for backyard chicken boom
by Sandra ThomasMain Street is no longer simply a haven of funky restaurants and showcase for fashion designers. It’s now becoming the go-to neighbourhood for backyard chicken supplies.
Backyard poultry farmers stop on the way home from the office to order a bag of chicken feed from Tisol Pet Supply near Main and West 12th Avenue. And they can also purchase chicken coops at Both Feet on Main Street shoe repair at 4410 Main St.
“This is Vancouver, so they’re really more like chicken condos,” Both Feet owner Les Both told the Courier.
Both placed an example of the made-to-order chicken condos outside his shop last Thursday. He hasn’t sold one, but interest has been overwhelming.
“Everybody’s stopping by to ask about it and everybody’s got an opinion,” said Both. “Some are against it and some are for it. I know some are worried people won’t treat them humanely, but most people already have a dog or a cat and these chickens usually end up as pets so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”
City council voted in March to allow residents to keep backyard chickens. While the motion was approved in principle, chickens won’t be taking up legal residence in the city until after a report is completed in late fall that will introduce guidelines, such as the number of birds allowed, the conditions they’re kept in, sanitation standards and the amount of grass each will need. Roosters or the sale of eggs from backyard chickens will be allowed.
Backyard butchering and carcass disposal also require more study before city staff recommendations are made. The city is looking at neighbouring municipalities that allow backyard chickens, such as Burnaby and Richmond, for guidance.
Both said the coops are made to order from a Bellingham, Washington-based business that employs people with developmental disabilities. The coops are designed to hold two chickens and are light enough to be picked up and moved around a backyard.
They’re made with heavy-duty wire to keep out rats, raccoons and skunks. Prices range between $400 and $560.
Surrey-based backyard chicken expert Heather Havens said she’s delighted another local business is gearing up for the day poultry can be raised in Vancouver.
“I’ve got a list of chicken vets and places to buy chicken feed, but I don’t have a real list on where to buy chicken coops or chicks,” said Havens, an agriculture and animal scientist who works as a consultant for Gaia Green Products, a B.C.-based company specializing in organic fertilizer. “I’d like to start hearing from these places so I can have that information on hand when I teach.”
Havens, a longtime backyard chicken farmer who rasied chickens in Portland, Ore., teaches classes on keeping poultry. She’s tentatively booked to hold two workshops at Langara College June 18 and 22.
Havens agrees with Both that backyard chickens often become pets to their owners, though she describes them as “minor” pets.
“Chickens have humungous personalities,” said Havens. “It’s easy to develop relationships with them.”
Made-to-order chicken coops are also available at Southlands Farm, located at the corner of Blenheim Street and West 52nd Ave.
