As someone dedicated to animal welfare, I’ve always dreamed of bringing a bit of the "farm" to our city life here in Mount Pearl, NL. With the rising cost of groceries, being able to provide fresh eggs for my kids and my home is a practical, heart-led way to support my family while teaching the next generation where our food comes from. I truly believe that with a "humanity first" approach to their care, backyard chickens can help make Mount Pearl a more sustainable, connected, and compassionate community for all.

Currently, Mount Pearl does not allow residents to keep backyard chickens, depriving us of an incredible opportunity to foster self-sufficiency, local food security, and a deeper connection to the natural world. Many cities across Canada, such as Halifax and Vancouver, have already embraced urban chicken ownership, finding successful ways to incorporate them into city living while focusing on the welfare of both the animals and the community.

Allowing backyard chickens in Mount Pearl would provide numerous benefits. Economically, families can reduce their grocery bills by producing their own fresh eggs. Environmentally, having chickens contributes to a circular waste system, as food scraps can be converted into feed, and chicken manure can be used as effective compost for gardens. Socially, it encourages neighborly connections and a farm-to-table lifestyle that both adults and children can engage in together.

Of course, proper guidelines and regulations must be established to address concerns regarding noise, waste management, and animal welfare. This could include ordinances regarding the number of chickens allowed per household, coop maintenance standards, having monthly or quarterly check-ins to ensure owners are following ownership standards and the prohibition of roosters to minimize disturbances.

Let’s urge the city council to recognize the potential of chickens in Mount Pearl and develop a sensible framework that allows residents to incorporate them into our urban landscape. By signing this petition, we can show our commitment to creating a vibrant, sustainable, and forward-thinking community where we all have the opportunity to thrive.