Canadian families are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices, higher living costs, and the growing challenge of providing healthy food for their households.

For many families in St. Thomas, having backyard hens is not a nuisance issue but rather about food security, education, responsibility, sustainability, and self-reliance.

Fresh eggs are one of the most nutritious and versatile foods a family can have access to. For households with dietary restrictions, health-related food needs, and growing children, a backyard flock can make a meaningful financial and nutritional difference.

Backyard hens also provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities for children. They teach responsibility, animal care, biology, sustainability, nutrition, and where food actually comes from. These lessons are becoming increasingly important in today’s society.

Many nearby municipalities within 10 to 20 minutes of St. Thomas already permit backyard flocks under regulated conditions. 26 municipalities in Ontario allow backyard chickens, including larger urban city centres such as London, Kitchener, Guelph, Brantford, and Niagara Falls, demonstrating that backyard hens can exist safely and responsibly in urban communities when clear rules are in place.

Responsible backyard hens, when properly maintained, produce minimal noise and can be managed cleanly and safely within residential areas. This petition supports a balanced regulatory framework that protects public health, animal welfare, and neighbourhood compatibility while addressing the concerns previously identified by the City.

Responsible backyard hens can:
• Help families offset rising grocery costs
• Support household food security and local food sustainability
• Reduce food waste through composting and natural recycling
• Encourage stronger community awareness around food systems and sustainable living

This petition asks the City of St. Thomas to reconsider the current by-law and explore a fair, regulated system that allows residents to responsibly keep backyard hens under clear, measurable standards based on housing requirements, available outdoor space, setbacks, animal welfare, sanitation, and biosecurity.

We support:
• Property-based flock sizes determined by housing standards, available outdoor space, setback requirements, sanitation, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards
• No roosters in residential areas
• Sanitation and property maintenance standards
• Complaint-based enforcement using the City's existing bylaw enforcement process where legitimate concerns exist
• Responsible animal ownership and animal welfare standards

Many families in St. Thomas are simply looking for practical ways to become more self-sufficient during difficult economic times.

St. Thomas families deserve the opportunity to responsibly participate in sustainable food practices already permitted in many nearby communities.

By signing this petition, you are supporting responsible backyard hens, household food security, sustainability, family education, and a balanced, evidence-based approach to local bylaws.

Together, we can encourage a practical, balanced approach that supports responsible backyard hens while protecting public health, animal welfare, and neighbourhood compatibility. Please sign and share this petition to show your support.