Backyard chickens is a great way to connect with the food we eat and make use of the large suburban lots we have here in Markham. Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Seattle have already legalized the ownership of chickens and all Markham has to do is adjust the laws from said cities to make it happen. 

Chickens have many benefits that are already part of the city's goals like eliminating food waste, creating natural fertilizers/pesticides and creating a healthy and local food source. They are not noisy and under proper care, they do not contract disease easily. 

With suburban sprawl being an ever growing problem in Markham, it is important to make use of the land we are living on. Many home owners have shown their interest in raising chickens and this petition is meant to support these voices with solid numbers.